This project was born out of death, created in love, and intended for the longevity and legacy of composer Barbara York. Upon receiving a question from Professor Steve Davis (UMKC Conservatory) for the second round of my Doctoral Comps, I realized that Barbara did not have a space dedicated to her, to find out about who she was, to learn about her pieces, to hear her story. My original dissertation project was to record a commissioned piece from her for my fiancé (baritone) and I and record it with some of her other pieces. Obviously, she passed before that was a reality. 

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Enter, The Barbara York project. Given my relationship with Barbara, my proximity to her family, and my knowledge of her life it would have been a missed opportunity, should I have not taken it. 

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-AJ Beu