Can I just tell you—I love Christmas music. It was Christmas music that truly sparked my desire to become a composer. When I was around 10 years old, a local musician began hosting annual Christmas concerts. The first song at my first-ever concert—“Joy to the World”—completely changed my life

The Magic of Christmas Music

If you’re not from Utah, the musician I’m referring to is Kurt Bestor. The way he performed that song was so powerful that I knew right then I wanted to write music—just like him. I became a lifelong fan that night. Kurt, if you ever read this—thank you. And to my parents, thank you for taking me to that concert (and trusting that I’d behave!).

Encouragement and Early Compositions

After that concert, my family encouraged me to arrange or compose at least one Christmas song every holiday season. Stage fright was real, even in small family settings, because I’ve always wanted everything to sound perfect. Some years I performed; other years I didn’t—but my family never stopped supporting me.

Almost Giving Up on Music

Later in life, I almost gave up the dream of becoming a musician altogether. As many musicians know, music is a challenging business with heavy upfront costs and uncertain returns. Eventually, I chose a more stable career path and let music become more of a hobby. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my musical talent existed for a reason

Rediscovering My Purpose Through “O Holy Night”

Fast forward to 2015—I had just finished my master’s degree and moved into a familiar neighborhood. I was invited to play a Christmas song for our church congregation. I hadn’t performed publicly for years, but I couldn’t say no. I sat down at the piano and began experimenting, eventually creating a new arrangement of “O Holy Night”—which is now included on my album A Winter’s Night. That performance reignited something in me, and soon, playing a new Christmas piano solo each year became a tradition.

Inspiration Behind “Silent Night”

Then, in 2019, I watched a documentary about “Silent Night.” It described the song as a gentle lullaby, and that image sparked something inside me. I started writing again, and what came out was unlike anything I’d written before. I truly believe that song was inspired from above—it felt guided.

That version of “Silent Night” reminded me that maybe, just maybe, I was meant to continue creating music. It’s also featured on A Winter’s Night and remains one of my most personal compositions

The Album: A Winter’s Night

Of all the music I write, I especially love Christmas music. These songs have been part of my life for decades, and A Winter’s Night is a reflection of that journey. Each piece represents years of growth, inspiration, and faith.

My hope is that this album becomes part of your yearly Christmas playlist—something you play on quiet winter evenings as you prepare for the holidays. These songs have brought me peace, and I hope they bring peace to your heart as well.