I didn't actually attend this year, but since I live in the LA/OC area I both volunteered at a couple of the concerts and went to a couple more in addition to those. And yes, Nancy is SUPER nice. I had been corresponding with her about a piece I wrote for the ZMF new music thing but hadn't met her in real life, and meeting her in person, I was really caught off guard by her complete and utter warmness and sincerity. But yeah, all the friends I have that went this year or went in years past speak really highly of it, and seeing the things I saw as an outsider this year really convinced me that it's something definitely worth going to.
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Derek Tywoniuk:
Cleveland Institute of Music, Percussion Performance, Class of 2010
ZMF New Music for Marimba Composition Contest Winner