As I walk the Florida west coast beaches, in the distance storms can often be spotted on the Gulf of Mexico horizon. Dark clouds and rain, falling from the sky, move across the water, at times traveling parallel to the coast, and sometimes advancing straight toward the shore. It is an extraordinary display that can be compared to our life's journey. Life's storms will come and go. This is the inspiration behind Distant Storms.

A Seaside View

Distant Storms

As I walk the beaches of Anna Maria Island, (a barrier island on the west coast of Florida), I'll invariably encounter sandcastles. Some sandcastles are in the process of being created, others are in the process of washing away with incoming tides. Sandcastles come in all shapes and sizes. Some are true works of art with details of exquisite design and excellence. Of equal significance are those sandcastles created by children, while they laugh and play in the sunshine. The same can be said about hopes and dreams. Dreams can be big or small, consisting of different shapes and sizes. Many dreams are serious, detailing future endeavors, while other dreams are fun and involve play. Some dreams are in the process of being created, while other dreams never become reality, they get washed away with the waves. All of these sandcastles are the inspiration behind Sandcastle Dreams.

Sandcastle Dreams

Along the beautiful Florida west coast shoreline, storms can suddenly erupt. Inlets often offer shelter and safety until the storm passes. We all need to feel and be safe. This was my inspiration for Safety of an Inlet.

Safety of an Inlet

One of my favorite activities is walking a local beach, here on the west coast of Florida. The powdery white sand and iconic sunsets are a perfect setting for sandpipers, one of Florida's beautiful beach birds. This piece, Path of the Sandpipers, was inspired by these littles birds gently scurrying and moving together along the water's edge.

Path of the Sandpiper

Music sometimes celebrates our joys and triumphs. At other times, music reveals our inner sadness, grief, and betrayals. The creation of music for touching the feelings in the heart, is powerful. This single release, It Mattered, shares a sincere cry from Suzanne’s heart. It is a dramatic expression of her personal, raw emotions, understood by all.

It Mattered

This piano composition captures the essence of tranquility, serenity, and joy, inspired by a blissful day spent basking under the warm Portuguese sun. 
 Let the music take you on a captivating journey through the natural beauty of the Ria Formosa Natural Park reserve in Faro, immersing you in the serene atmosphere of this picturesque destination."

Algarve Sea Sunshine - Francesco Adornetto

The Drake Passage is the body of water from South America’s Cape Horn to the continent of Antarctica. The Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Southern Ocean all converge at the infamous Drake Passage. It is considered one of the most challenging voyages for ships to navigate. During Suzanne’s experience sailing the Drake Passage toward Antarctica, she felt the waves and currents moving in different directions. As she traveled farther south, the air and temperature drastically changed. Leaving civilization far behind felt wonderfully surreal. This was the inspiration for Suzanne’s single release, “Where Oceans Meet.”

Where Oceans Meet

A Christmas Sky tells a unique story. While sailing from South America’s Cape Horn to the continent of Antarctica, Suzanne was in awe. This remote part of the world felt vast and exhilarating. Even though it was nighttime, darkness does not appear this time of year, yet the filtered-lit sky was filled with bright stars. The music paints a landscape that transports the listener to a remote place on planet earth at a very special time of year…it was Christmas! This is the story behind A Christmas Sky.

A Christmas Sky

Whale watching is an incredible experience, especially in Antarctica! Seeing whales in this distant, pristine land is common. They consistently dot the landscape. Often, photographs capture the dramatic scene of a whale’s body in mid-air, plunging into the water, creating a forceful wave. However, Suzanne’s single, A Graceful Splash, creates a soothing experience. As the massive creatures gently break through the surface of the water, their movements are commonly dance-like and serene. Their gentle choreography produces an amazing display of whale tails in slow motion, decorating the Antarctic panorama. This extraordinary whale performance is the story behind Suzanne’s new single, A Graceful Splash.

A Graceful Splash

At times, we all search for needed moments to think, contemplate, connect with our feelings, and construct decisions. Even though our paths are different, we all inevitably experience happiness, as well as challenges. Suzanne believes, "Music evokes and creates emotions. It calms, excites, and helps us push through. Music celebrated our joys and triumphs; it helps us during our greatest sadness and grief. Music inspires and heals." This is the inspiration for Suzanne's single, "Heart's Reflection."

Heart's Reflection

While Suzanne traveled with an expedition in Antarctica, it was a unique experience to watch penguins! The penguins were both elegant and playful. They waddled one by one across the ice and snow. It was mesmerizing! Diving in and out of the water, they always seemed to have a smile on their penguin faces. Suzanne viewed many penguin colonies in this pristine, mysterious, and untouched environment. Watching them was like encountering a penguin parade! This was the inspiration for "Penguin Parade."

Penguin Parade

Suzanne Herman is an award-winning contemporary solo pianist, composer, educator, and recording artist. She earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music, as well as a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Bowling Green State University. Suzanne independently releases original solo piano music, which can be found worldwide on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Please visit www.SuzanneHerman.com for sheet music, songbooks, and more information about Suzanne Herman and her forthcoming releases.