Back in May, 2022 TIMARA and Composition graduate Michael Gaspari put on a colorful and emotional performance for their senior recital, featuring sound, video, and of course, balloons. The show consisted of an album of original works titled “On the Bridge,” which was performed live by Michael and their friends. During the rehearsal process, Michael recorded a studio version of the album with the same musicians, and they recently announced that it will be released later this month.

Album cover of "On the Bridge." A colorful abstract sky made of glass sits behind a bridge, with Michael Gaspari standing underneath. The album title is in front of the bridge in large yellow letters. Michael's name is in the bottom left corner.
Album artwork for “On the Bridge”

Michael, now in their first year of graduate school at the University of Miami, considers “On the Bridge” to be an incredibly personal and significant album to them. When asked for comment, Michael said, “‘On the Bridge’ is the most vulnerable work I have ever created. It explores the story of my life growing up as an autistic person in a world not built for us. It dives deep into the most intense struggles I faced, as well as the moment I found a safe place to be who I am, which gave me the power to break the Glass Sky, symbolizing my escape from this world’s grasp on me.” Michael’s album will be released on all streaming services on October 28th. Until then, check out the official recording of their recital on YouTube.