Dear Rosé,

Dear Rose, I've been thinking a lot about the new world.  And I wish I have time to actually read a few books which can help in sharpening my vision and hope toward life. So after this pandemic, what's next? Since I am engaged with a few things at the moment, eg. thesis, teaching online classes, taking online classes, and sort of exploring new directions of this whole music career ... all I have is one screen.  Gigs and plans keep getting canceled or postponed. Expectations can't be met. Many unpromising circumstances. 2020 was a game-changer for many; whereas 2021 does not seem to get better but I hope it is slightly more bearable as people have learned to become more adaptive for the long run.  // I found this conversation between jazz trumpeter and educator Wynton Marsalis and pianist Lara Downes about what music can do for us in this new world: You play for improvement = self-improvement >> group improvement >> audience >> culture you live in You have