For the first iteration of Gather Hear Alaska in 2017, I logged 2500 miles driving a piano in a van around Alaska. In a state where I did not have a single acquaintance much less musical connections, I set up my piano for 25 performances in community gathering spaces such as bars, cafes, lodges, libraries, schools, and parks. With support from New Music USA, I will continue the project with a second tour through West Virginia that expands on the possibilities that were opened in 2017. The AK tour focused on curating the classical music experience so that the concerts were welcoming and inclusive, yet challenging audiences to engage using their emotions, intellect, and imagination. For Gather Hear West Virginia I hope to deepen my impact, this time by introducing them to a large-scale new music work and simultaneously inviting local residents to participate as performers. This will take the form of a new show called “A Kind of Mirror.”