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"Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind..."

Reflections of the Spirit is a tribute to the harmonious relationship between Native people and Mother Earth. For me, the great cliff dwellings of the early Pueblo People in the American Southwest embody this connection. Described as America's pyramids, the ruins found at Wupatki, Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, Betatakin and Chaco Canyon, are not only impressive in their scale and exceptional craftsmanship, but also because they reflect a deep connection with nature and their surroundings.

With the desire to share this message, I approached the ancient sites and culture more holistically by integrating photographs of kivas and petroglyphs with those honoring the inseparable elements of sky, water, land and the cycle of time.

As a prologue to its performance, Reflections of the Spirit may be introduced by a poignant, traditional invocation to the Great Spirit spoken by a member of the orchestra’s Native community. The result, when choreographed to its hauntingly beautiful yet powerful score, is a meditation on life, a people, and our enduring connection to the environment.

PREMIERE: Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra

Contact Westwater Arts for the orchestral repertoire for this photochoreography.