Echoes of Joy

The footage used in Echoes of Joy was filmed over a period of two years during two separate trips to the mountains of North Carolina (Boone in 2020 and Asheville in 2022). At the time, I only had a vague concept of a project; I was really just enamored with the visual impact of the snow and the surrounding scenery. 

I have a long history with the region. When my children were young, it was our yearly ritual to spend time in the mountains and we most often stayed in the Boone area. There are so many memories of week-long cabin stays, hiking on trails where only crazy people would take five young kids, and cold, cold evenings with everyone safe and warm, exploring the lofts and secrets nooks of the cabin.

One of my daughters attended Appalachian State University and, once she moved there, never came back. I have had the privilege of being able to visit her whenever I like; it's a privilege I don't take lightly, especially now.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, this project became very important to me and consumed many hours of my life as I attempted to produce something that would illustrate and honor the astounding landscapes of Western North Carolina. Not only their beauty, but the enduring strength embodied in the trees, the steep mountain trails, in the voices of the people who lived there centuries ago and those who are there today drawing on that strength to rebuild from the devastation of a once in a lifetime storm.

In modern society, headlines change quickly, sometimes by the minute. It is my hope that Echoes of Joy will serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle that the people of Western North Carolina (and the other regions affected by Helene) continue to face. Even more than that, I hope that it serves as a reminder that there will be a return to the peace, tranquility, and magnificent beauty that has endured there over the ages.