“As any artist, athlete, or really any skill-based path it’s not always easy. There are moments of self-doubt. One of those moments for me was when I started auditioning for schools and hearing other kids who were also really really good. I had always been the best guitar player I knew so that was a shock, and then that got exacerbated in college.” Read here

“The most rewarding part of being a composer for me is knowing once you write a piece or once it’s played, it lives on forever. Or at least way past how longs I’ll be here. It’s something I’ve thought a lot about actually. I liken writing music to a story. A piece of music doesn’t exist and a score or sheet music. It exists as the actual sounds you’re hearing. As long as those sounds exist somewhere in someone’s brain, it lives on. That’s really cool to me and is probably the most rewarding part of being a composer.” Read here

“This piece is a good representation of my improvisational style, and I think that’s rad… I wouldn’t say I chose to compose it that way, rather that I improvised it that way and enjoyed how it sounded.” Read here…Watch here

“Alumnus Justice Phillips says ACG gave him ‘real performance opportunities in great halls,’ tangible experiences that many young musicians don’t have. His role has come full circle, as he now composes music for ACG students to perform for special projects in public performances and in classes at school.” Read here

“I remember meeting Justice at Lively many years ago when he was a SUPER energetic 13 year old who wanted, above all else, to play fast!” Read here