The Journey Back to the Trumpet

As I sit here reflecting on the past decade, a journey that took me far from my first love – the trumpet – I can’t help but marvel at the winding path life has taken me on. My story, like many, is one of exploration, of stepping away from a familiar passion to venture into unknown territories, only to feel an inexorable pull back to my roots.

About ten years ago, I began to drift away from the trumpet. There was this persistent voice in my head, almost like a whisper from a wise old friend, suggesting that the trumpet was just a stepping stone to something else. Little did I know where this notion would lead me.

Diving into the unknown, I decided to start an oil and gas company. It was a bold move, especially considering I had no prior experience in the field. This transition marked the beginning of a profound learning curve that started in 2013. To equip myself better, I enrolled in business school at UT Austin. The experience was eye-opening. It was fascinating to see how the acumen I developed as an artist was surprisingly relevant in the business world. This journey boosted my confidence, and I realized that many artists, myself included, often downplay our diverse skills and capabilities.

Parallel to my business endeavors, I also stepped in to help my father with our family-owned restaurants in Austin. Managing a couple of oil wells and learning about oil and gas operations added new dimensions to my life. But amidst this busy new world, music, particularly the trumpet, became a distant memory. The last time I remember playing at my peak was at my graduation in 2016. Since then, my trumpet lay silent, only picked up for the occasional concert requiring me to be in shape.

Over the years, a part of me felt incomplete. Those who have pursued music or art with intense passion will understand this feeling. A piece of me yearned for the days when music was my daily bread. There were unfinished projects, unplayed pieces, teaching ideas about the trumpet that I never shared, and extensive research on Hindemith that remained undocumented. This inner void grew over the years, a silent reminder of an unfinished chapter in my life.

Then, about a year and a half ago, everything changed. I was nearly killed in an explosion on the oil lease. This harrowing experience was a wake-up call, shaking me to my core. The following months were fraught with stress as I worked to rebuild what was lost. But amid this chaos, that quiet voice in my head grew louder. It wasn’t just a voice anymore; it was a clarion call. A call to remember, to return to the part of me that I had left behind.

The trumpet, my first love, was calling me back.

As I write this, I am at a crossroads. The past few years have been a journey of discovery, of understanding that while we may venture far and wide, our true passions never really leave us. They wait patiently, like old friends, for us to return. And now, I feel ready to embrace the music once again, to let the melodies flow through me as they once did. It’s time to pick up my trumpet and complete the unfinished symphony of my life.