Concerts have to be seen as a real event for which the aim is to try and feed everybody.

My favorite instrument is the snare drum. In Scotland, the snare drum is very prominent in Highland bands. The Scottish style of playing is in my blood. It's a very powerful instrument, but it can also be soothing, like velvet. It's a real challenge for composers.

Society cannot continue to disable themselves through their need to categorize people or make assumptions as to another individual's abilities.

Hearing is a form of touch. I could hear less through the ears but more through the body.

I walk into a kids' store, and it's amazing, the types of instruments - little squeaky things, rattling things, spinning tops.

There are many collaborations I'd like to explore. One is to co-write a rap concerto with Eminem.

Before my teen years, I was losing my hearing pretty quickly, and I was getting very, very angry. I was beginning to become an angry person because of that.