
COMPOSITIONS
Why Writing?
At the beginning of 2021, tragedy struck my school band program. My middle school band director passed away suddenly. This loss was particularly brutal as he was one of my first mentors and the person who inspired my love of music in the first place. I was at sad, angry, and confused and had nowhere to put all of those feelings. My high school band director suggested that I use composition as a form of journaling, a way to channel my emotions. And so I went home, sat at the piano, and poured my heart into my music, telling it the things that I didn't feel like I could say out loud. It felt so good, so freeing, to turn a sad ending with such ugly feelings into something beautiful and hopeful. From that moment on, composition has become a significant part of my life and the way that I process the world around me.
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Large Ensemble
I'm Beginning to See the Light, arrangement (2024)
For Jazz Ensemble
Performed at the BCAS Summer Jazz Camp
Legacy, A Tribute to Mr. David Neubauer (2022)
For Concert Band
Premiered by the Hamilton High School Wind Ensemble
Saxophone
Pictures of a Night Sky (2024)
For Tenor Saxophone and Piano
Premiered by Korah De Leon and Bella Meier
For Alto Saxophone and Piano
Premiered by Mia Traverse and Dr. Amanda Hopson
For the Bold and Brave (2022)
For Alto Saxophone Duet with Piano
Premiered by Megan Dudenhoeffer and Mia Traverse
A Familiar New (2022)
For Piano and Soprano Saxophone
Solo Piano
Watercolors (2023)
...And It Rained The Way Home (2023)
Psalm for the 1st of July (2023)
I Just Think We're In Love (2023)
Skipping Stones (2022)
Top of Sunset (2022)
Christmas Back Then (2022)
Other
Dare to Dream (2024)
For Bb Clarinet and Piano
Premiered by Erin Balaska and Dr. Amanda Hopson
Interested in purchasing? Click below to browse all of Mia's selections for sale: Sheet Music Direct
Chamber Ensemble
Shades of Blue (2024)
For Saxophone Quartet
Written for the Blue Box Saxophone Quartet
Pocket Full O' Smiles (2024)
For Saxophone Quartet
Premiered by the Blue Box Saxophone Quartet
Songs and Sunrises (2024)
For Clarinet Choir
Premiered by the Butler University Clarinet Studio
Greensleeves, arrangement (2021)
For Saxophone Quartet
Performed by the 2 Sharp Saxophone Quartet
Lull and Frenzy (2019)
For Saxophone Quartet
Premiered by the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Saxophone Quartet
Jazz Combo
The Streetbeater, arrangement (2025)
For 5 Trombones & Rhythm Section
Written for the Naptown Trombone Ensemble
Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise, arrangement (2024)
For Jazz Sextet
Performed by the Butler University Jazz Combo
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, arrangement (2024)
For Jazz Sextet
Performed by the Butler University Jazz Combo
How High the Moon, arrangement (2024)
For Jazz Septet, with Vocals
Performed by the Butler University Jazz Combo
Side by Side (2024)
For Jazz Octet
Premiered by the Butler University Jazz Faculty
Meditation, arrangement (2024)
For Jazz Sextet, with Vocals
Performed by the Butler University Jazz Faculty
Pasos de Silhuetas (2020)
For Jazz Nonet
Premiered by the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Bronzeville Jazz Combo