NATIONALITY:

American

MEDIA APPLAUSE:

“The most dynamic duo of this generation.”

— San Francisco Classical Voice

Where do you find inspiration to create music?

Elizabeth Joy Roe (EJR): Life in all of its complexity and richness inspires me to create. Everything from the awe-inspiring beauty of nature to the inner workings of the human heart compels me to create and connect.

Greg Anderson (GA): Life, love, shapes, colors, atmospheric conditions (like wind and rain), questions without answers, tactile sensations (like a kitten's fur), antique photographs, the birds outside my practice room window, and of course, my friendship with Liz.

Which field outside of music most influences your creative process (art, design, architecture, fashion, film)?

GA: I love art that leaves space for participation—art that doesn’t fill in every blank. Piano music is void of words and visuals, yet that’s the best part—the clearing leaves space for a listener to form personal connections and meaning. Likewise, literature and visual art provide no soundtrack, but masterful writers and painters orchestrate pacing, color, and brushstrokes so their characters and scenes “sing” in my mind. I turn especially to novels which, like music, are experienced over the passage of time. Their dramatic pacing teaches me how to shape tension, time a musical climax, and guide the emotional release that follows.

EJR: I'm influenced by many forms of art. Out of your list—art, design, architecture, fashion, film—I'm perhaps most influenced by art. My early childhood dream was to be a visual artist, and to this day visiting art museums is one of my favorite activities. Contemplating a Rembrandt or Richter painting, a da Vinci or Rodin sculpture, an Ansel Adams photograph or Irving Penn portrait can be a meditative, moving, and even spiritual experience. The seeming "stillness" of visual art contains a generative power that invites and involves the beholder, thus attaining full aliveness when actively perceived and received.

Describe a routine you have in place that helps you live a healthier life?

EJR: I don't have a strict daily routine, but sleep has always been important to me (though my sleep patterns are different now that I’m a parent of a toddler!). Sleep gives me the requisite energy to work and perform, so I always try to take naps on concert days; even a 15-minute power nap gives me a mental and physical reset. In addition, creative ideas will often arise right at the edge of sleep—upon falling asleep or waking up. I try to jot down notes in that quasi- (or hyper-?) conscious state, as these thoughts tend to be freed from my inner critic.

GA: No matter how busy I am, I aim for 30 minutes of Mozart at the piano every day—not a practice session, but a creative ritual that re-centers me. I find that by exploring the music’s unsurpassed craft and graceful order—its balance, symmetry, and clarity—I can clear my mind, access a deeper awareness, and reconnect with what really matters. Beyond that, I love cooking my own food from scratch, and I prioritize my sleep.

What energizes you in life to keep going, to keep creating?

GA: I’m fueled by our astonishing, wondrous world—by its beauty, nature, humanity, spirituality, science—and above all, its music, which is the bountiful, enigmatic vessel into which all these wonders converge. In the end, music is the lens through which I see life's wonders. Music is what pulls me out of bed in the morning and keeps me up long past midnight.

EJR: My daughter is an infinite wellspring of inspiration, hope, and joy. It is truly uplifting to witness the way she intuitively accesses the world every single day; her curiosity, imagination, and presence motivate me to approach life with an open mind and heart. I believe that children are deeply in touch with their innate creative knowing; there's an incredible wonder, uniqueness, and honesty with which they play and discover, and these are qualities that are essential for the creative process.

What is one specific product you highly recommend?

EJR: It's not a physical product per se, but I use The New York Times cooking app almost daily; I started using it during the pandemic and now it’s my trusty go-to for everything from pancakes to fish entrees!

GA: Fermented bean curd (preserved tofu). I buy this ancient Chinese staple in bulk, and store it in the fridge at all times. It’s my secret umami weapon—imagine a funky blend of miso and blue cheese—that I stir into pan-fried veggies, dressings and sauces, and even mac & cheese.

Honorable mention: After collaborating with Freeland Spirits to craft a signature cocktail for the Portland Piano International Virtual Extravaganza in 2020, I’ve been hooked on their herbaceous gin—ideal for toasting a finished score or unwinding after a long day at the piano.