The opera Helwalker was recorded October 22-24, 2021 at the UCSD Recording Studio, and edited to create an audio drama as the culmination of a major composition work by the author. New musical techniques such as increased rhythmic complexity, use of polyrhythms and harmonies inspired by a Charles Mingus study combined with previous musical influences of Appalachian folk, Balinese and Javanese gamelan, Norwegian metal, and eastern European musical traditions to create the underlying musical landscape. Narrative and conceptual elements devised by the author focused on nature, decay and renewal, with reference to climate change and issues of mental health. A visual component is included: forest creature origami creations by Alex Taylor for the final song, Decomposition, and following this, photographs of the places in West Virginia which inspired the opera. All of these research and creative processes were integral in weaving together the final recorded performance.

The opera Beowulf was performed on May 18, 2018 at the UCSD Experimental Theater, as the culmination of thesis research, collaboration, and composition by the author. Folk, metal, and eastern European musical traditions were primary influences on the score of the Beowulf opera. Conceptual research on the materiality of memory had a strong influence on the themes explored in the opera. Materials, puppets and masks were created in a collaboration with research to express a new way of looking at the Beowulf characters. The historic and contemporary voices of women in society were expressed in the opera through the character of Grendel's mother. Themes of the artistic and literary translation process was evident in the use of multiple languages and mediums throughout the opera. All of these research and creative processes were integral in weaving together the final performance.