Spotlight by Castle of Our Skins: Sound, Poetry, and Self-Discovery

February 21, 2026

“Spotlight,” presented by Castle of Our Skins, offered an intimate and reflective evening featuring saxophonist and poet Tim Hall and pianist Zahili Zamora. The performance moved fluidly between music and spoken word, centering themes of identity, healing, and self-discovery.

Tim Hall opened the evening with a soulful saxophone performance, playing with a depth that felt both personal and expansive. His sound carried warmth and honesty, setting the tone for what followed. Transitioning into poetry, Hall shared pieces rooted in his life journey—how he came to find his voice through both music and words. In his poem “Shame,” he reflected on love, vulnerability, and the power of expression, reminding the audience that poetry lives within all of us. He spoke candidly about once viewing his life as fragmented, until he discovered that putting his experiences into words could transform and even save a life.

Hall’s reflections extended beyond performance into philosophy. He encouraged the audience to trust their own creative processes, sharing a formative moment when a teacher placed a rock on his desk and told him to trust himself. That simple act, he explained, became a turning point—eventually leading to his first book of poetry. His message was clear: trust your intuition, your healing, and your journey.

Zahili Zamora followed with Cuban-infused piano selections that were both

vibrant and introspective. Her compositions reflected a deep exploration of self, shaped by lived experience and emotional growth. One piece, created during the COVID-19 pandemic, carried tones of despair yet also quiet resilience, reminding listeners that meaning evolves over time.

Together, Hall and Zamora created a powerful dialogue between sound and story. “Spotlight” became more than a performance—it was an invitation to reflect, to heal, and to embrace the ongoing journey of becoming.