Dismantling Dissonance

This week, I got to sit down with two of the people who helped me get started in podcasting, Joy and Claire of "This is Joy and Claire." In their own words, their podcast is a conversation every week "about all the...random things you'd talk to your friends about." Podcasting since 2013, their first project was called "Girls Gone WOD," which focused a lot on fitness and CrossFit. It has since developed into "This is Joy and Claire," and they also have a Great British Bakeoff-themed show called, "On Your Marks, Get Set, Bake!" (My personal favorite.) It was such a treat to talk with two people who love music and how it plays a role in their lives. Many thanks to Joy and Claire for going down all the rabbit holes with me, from the similarities between podcasting and music, to the balance of commercial success and artistic freedom, and a whole lot more. (And for those who have joined from the J&C corner of the internet, yes we did even sneak in a Mean Girls reference towards the end.) You can catch their main show, "This is Joy and Claire" every Thursday.Joy and Claire's WebsiteFollow J&C on Instagram

Joe Troop is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter hailing originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The founder of GRAMMY-nominated stringband Che Apalache, Joe's music is deeply inspired by his decade living in Buenos Aires and traveling throughout Latin America. When the pandemic unexpectedly landed him back in North Carolina, he spent 2020 learning direct action from stalwart organizers. In 2021 he channeled that energy into his homecoming album Borrowed Time. The record was co-produced with Jason Richmond (The Avett Brothers, Branford Marsalis) and features luminaries like Béla Fleck (who produced Che Apalache's GRAMMY-nominated album), Abigail Washburn, Tim O'Brien, and Charlie Hunter, but the visceral songwriting and fine-crafted instrumentals speak for themselves. Joe's music reflects both his time spent living abroad as well as his upbringing in the North Carolina Piedmont. Now based in Durham, he leads various ensembles, which play his original music. Joe has also most recently partnered with powerhouse Venezuelan folk music legend Larry Bellorín. The duo is on a mission to show that music has no borders and is already touring extensively.Larry & Joe's most recent single, Caballo Viejo

This week, I sat down with my longtime friend, Max Rainwater. Max is a multi-instrumentalist based out of the Hudson Valley. We talked all about his teaching methodology, "Scratch to Gigs" and how to reinvigorate your practice by returning to basics, metronome always in hand. Take a listen to revisit some old ideas and maybe even get a couple new ones.  Check out Max's band, the Mapletones!

Evan is back! Our first repeat guest, Evan is a pianist and salesman focused on creating a culture of gratitude and appreciation with his clients. A MN native, Evan received his Bachelor of Music degree from Lawrence University, under the tutelage of Anthony Padilla. At Lawrence, he earned an Accompanying Fellowship. Evan also holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Dr. Christopher Harding. Graduating summa cum laude, he completed his master's degree in three semesters. As a college sophomore, Mr. Newman was the 1st prize winner of Wisconsin's MTNA State Competition and took 2nd prize in St. Paul's Schubert Club Competition in Minnesota. As a junior, the Lawrence University piano faculty awarded Mr. Newman the Margaret Gary Daniels Award for his excellence in performance and consistency in competitions. As a senior, he appeared as a finalist in the Lawrence University Concerto Competition and took 2nd prize in Green Bay's Miroslav Pansky Memorial Concerto Competition.With over half a million dollars in personal sales and his experience in the music world, Evan brings a unique perspective to the table in terms of bringing a meaningful vision of your life as an artist to life.  

Natalie Hagwood may be the changing face of the modern cellist.Unbridled by past conventions of what her instrument could and should do, the 28-year-old Sacramento transplant, who began formal cello training at age seven, continues to blossom, as do her fellow musical bandmates, heralded Sacramento trio Dear Darling. As her ascent with Dear Darling continues, her desire to explore new horizons and expand the changing role of cello in contemporary music continues with solo releases that have helped find her “true voice” and quench her self-professed “hunger for creativity.”Encouraged by her parents, Natalie decided to further her music education. She fell in love with youth symphony in her jr. high years, and during her high school years took cello lessons from a University of Nevada Reno teacher who encouraged her to pursue a degree in Classical Cello Performance, a degree she received from the University of Nevada in 2017.A brief post-graduate stint at the University of Washington allowed her to study with UW Professor Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir and Dr. Kevin Krentz while teaching privately with the Seattle Cello Academy. During her time in Seattle, she won the University of Washington Concerto Competition, soloing with the UW Symphony in 2018. She has performed with piano-cello Duo Libra and Los Angeles Philharmonic Concertmaster Martin Chalifour and held benefit concertsin Los Angeles to raise funds for the Paradise Campfire victims.Finding herself locked into a narrow “classical vortex,” she left the university and began ravenously listening to non-classical music and exploring her folk and singer-songwriter roots. Collaborations with Celtic, Americana and jazz bands eventually brought her together with like-minded bandmates Dear Darling, recently selected to perform as one of three opening acts for the 14th annual Cayamo Sixth Man Soundcheck Festival, a 7-day Caribbean cruise featuring Americana artists Emmy Lou Harris, Punch Brothers, the Indigo Girls, and Grace Potter. Additionally, Ms. Hagwood performs as a member of Solabel, a Sacramento-based ensemble of established jazz, folk, and Broadway talents whose message of joy, hope and community crosses musical boundaries. Her first solo release, “Steady Love,” co-written with a college friend, is a luscious ballad built on intricate polyrhythms and beautifully layered harmonies. Admittedly, one of her many coming-of-age tunes, the track chronicles a particularly rocky time during her marriage when she realized that the institution wasn't always going to be “shiny and new.” The heartfelt “Mama” speaks to the changing dynamics with her mother over time, while “Spider Song” addresses her frustration with fear cycles controlling her actions. The latter two tracks, performed pizzicato with solo cello and Hagwood's ethereal mezzo-soprano voice continue to expand the evolving role of the instrument in contemporary music, while helping shape her own unique musical voice.“It's like quenching a thirst,” Natalie says. “The more that I prioritize my new music, the better I can show up for my other ensembles, and I've got to keep chipping away at expressing myself.” Expressing herself also includes time mentoring others through her Concert-Ready Cellist Program. Natalie's unique curriculum confronts the isolation and stage fright inherent in traditional private lesson models, opting instead for a community-based model inspired by team sports that encourages the sharing of one's gifts. Students in The Concert-Ready Cellist Program perform together regularly, playing free concerts in the Sacramento area in senior homes and farmer's markets. Twice-a-week, virtual supervised practice lessons allow studentsto meet and share their experiences, while monthly masterclasses featuring guest cellists keep things fresh and exciting.

Gregory Childress (he/him) is Lynchburg, Virginia native violist and violinist who began playing at the age of five in the Lynchburg City Schools Suzuki string program. Greg graduated Cum Laude from James Madison University in May 2019 with a B.M. in viola performance. He discovered his love for teaching during his time at JMU; Greg served as president of the JMU American String Teacher Association Collegiate Chapter. He taught after school group violin classes with Rockingham County Schools and launched a small private violin and viola studio. After graduating, Greg moved back home where he taught in the LCS Suzuki strings program from 2019 to 2022.Greg runs a thriving Suzuki violin and viola studio in Lynchburg with over 35 students enrolled. Additionally, Greg is the string chamber ensemble director at Virginia Episcopal School. As a member and registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of Americas, Greg frequently participates in workshops, institutes, and teacher trainings. Greg has studied pedagogy with Dr. Wanchi Huang, Elizabeth Faidley, David Strom, Oscar Soler, Joanne Martin, Cathryn Lee, and Charles Krigbaum. With over 12,000 followers on Instagram, Greg uses his platform to showcase student progress, achievements, and also provide free tips and educational resources to teachers.Greg is the principal violist of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and frequently performs for weddings and events across Virginia. When he is not teaching or performing, Greg enjoys vegan cooking, yoga, house projects, and traveling to new and inspiring places.To learn more about Greg, check out his website at www.gregorychildress.com and follow him on Instagram @violagreg.

From the day Ben Plotnick was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada his life has revolvedalmost entirely around music. Since his early start playing classical violin, he has foundhimself as a bit of a musical chameleon in musical worlds such as Folk, Country, Celtic, Jazz,Rock, and many areas of world music as well. Ben's involved musical adolescence includedperformances with several groups & organizations for notable audiences (such as Her RoyalHighness Queen Elizabeth the 2nd) across four continents, from an early age.As a freelance performer and session musician with stints in Calgary, Toronto and nowNashville, Ben has recorded on upwards of 100 professional albums and performed onthousands of stages ranging anywhere from house concerts to arenas. His list of creditsincludes countless high-level acts largely in (but not limited to) the worlds of folk, Americanaand country music. These days, Ben spends the bulk of his time touring, writing andrecording with creative projects The Fretless (2017 Juno award winner and 3-time nominee, 6 Canadian Folk Music Awards) and Oliver the Crow (ensemble of the year nominee at the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards, called ‘exquisite' and an ‘inspired collaboration' by NPR).Amidst performances around the world, he continues to work as a session musician andstring arranger in Nashville. His arrangements for strings, winds and in some casessymphony orchestras feature on a vast array of professional albums, stages and hallsaround the world.His improvisation method book was released in 2015. “Vio Lingo: A comprehensive guide tolearning the language of violin improvisation”, is now on its 5th printing and has been highlysought after in fiddle communities across the continent. Exclaim.ca writes of his 2016 solo record ‘Greenland': “(Plotnick's) instrumental wizardry,paired with danceable rhythm, will have half the audience listening intently while the rest tears up the floorboards”. 2021 saw the release of ‘Madison Archives' with banjo player Frank Evans (of The Slocan Ramblers), a duo album named “Instrumental Album of the Year” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and nominated at the Juno Awards.Whether he's performing for 30 or 30,000 people, with a country band, folk string quartet ora bluegrass group, in a bar or on a festival stage, Ben continues to define himself as one offolk music's elite fiddle players.InstagramBen's websiteFretlessOliver The Crow

This week is something different, and very special! I got to sit down with my cousin, J David and hear all about his early days as a country musician. We talk about songwriting, how he discovered Lyle Lovett in a small town in Luxembourg and his days running Mr. Lucky's, one of the most popular country music spots in Phoenix. He even gives an official definition of our family word "kadoo." (Heck, you might even feel like you're at one while you listen.)J David has played and toured with several acts including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and many more. He's been a beloved fixture of the music scene in Arizona for the past 45+ years. He still plays several nights a week with the Herndon Brothers and other acts. To see where he's playing next, click here 

CURTIS STEWART is a multi Grammy-nominated violinist/composer who enjoys bouncing between MTV specials with Wyclef Jean and sold out shows at Madison Square Garden with Stevie Wonder to stints at the Kennedy Center with the Jimmy Heath Big Band and runs at the Guggenheim, MoMA and Whitney Museums in NYC. Curtis has performed as a classical soloist at Lincoln Center, with the New York Philharmonic Bandwagon, as well as held chamber music residencies at Carnegie Hall, the MET Museum and National Sawdust. His work realizes a vision to find personal and powerful connections between styles, cultures, and music. Curtis teaches at The Juilliard School, Perlman Music Program, has been commissioned to write works for the Royal Conservatory of music, The Virginia Symphony, The Eastman Cello Institute, New York Festival of Song, PUBLIQuartet, and Carnegie Hall: Play/USA.  www.curtisjstewart.com"I have always grappled between being an educator, a creator/composer, a writer of verse, an improviser, quartet-mate, band-mate, administrator.   I can't seem to sit still in one role, and I have never seen myself as such - both because I am trying to survive as an artist, and because my passions for each one of the above vie for attention at all times.  I left teaching highschool for 10 years because the NYC Department of Ed was totally inflexible with me taking off days for performance.  I began creating my recent album OF POWER in my living room because I couldn't get together with my friends in PUBLIQuartet. In the end, it all balances on supporting myself just enough to be able to express and create from a place of authenticity, vulnerability and invention." ~ CJS

Lauren Rioux is enthusiastically sought out for her teaching expertise, leading classes and workshops across the globe. Her online string resource site, JamWithLauren.com provides students the world over with access to her innovative curriculum, gorgeous learning materials,  inspiring and motivating blog, but most importantly- her inimitable teaching style. Lauren helps musicians (mostly string players) unlock their inner voice and achieve their potential while understanding and appreciating that the work of becoming a musician is honest and rewarding. Lauren believes that everyone has the ability to create a sound they love, experience the joy that their sound produces, and express what they're unable to articulate with words. As a performer, Lauren has toured the United States, Europe and the UK with Darol Anger and his Republic of Strings, as a duo with Brittany Haas, with Scott Nygaard and Crow Molly, and with her husband Sten Havumaki. “Lauren has a deep intuitive understanding of people and their musical journeys; and therefore has a lot to offer in terms of guidance as well as a real knack for explaining the nitty-gritty details of string playing and music theory. She plays with thoughtful purpose, stringing together notes and ideas in order to effect a feeling in her listeners, uniting musicians and audience for a communal experience of joy. ”— Brittany HaasJamWithLaurenYouTubeInstagram

Soaring around the world with Menominee Indian Reservation roots, Wade Fernandez (Walks With The Black Wolf) is a “deeply authentic” multi-award winning international touring artist from the Menominee Nation. Winning numerous awards in many genres, Fernandez's musical style knows no bounds. Beginning his solo career joining Jackson Browne & the Indigo Girls onstage has led to a long career with over 60 international tours. Both his music and his message is firmly grounded in his Menominee Reservation roots and love for the land, animals, and people.  His passion to educate, share music, culture and honor Grandmother Earth is reflected in his international presentations and work in schools (k-college), workshops, with the elderly, the mentally disabled, elders, youth and concerts both rocking and soothing stages from Woodstock 94 to Honor The Earth.  During the COVID-19 epidemic Wade became a team leader/community health worker for Creative Health Collective servicing the needs of the Native American community on the ground, through film, and livestreaming. He continues to give concerts and lectures through the internet as he waits for the world to become safe for touring again.WebsiteFacebook

Violinist and violist Gabe Bolkosky has been praised for the way he "takes audiences into his confidence and includes them" and described as having "the serenity of a master without a hint of coldness." He has performed and taught across the United States, abroad, working with all ages of musicians.  He recently pioneered an online approach to music-making and collaboration from home. His organization, Education for Happiness, recently launched PhoenixPhest Virtual Online Chamber Music Immersive, culminating a 20 year in-person program.  His focus educationally has been to help musicians in all developmental stages and levels of interest with a focus on inclusion.Primarily a violinist, he performs a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary works with different collaborative artists from many musical genres in many of the great concert halls.  As a violist, Gabe helped found the Bayberry String Quartet in 2018 and continues to play in this group with his wife Steffani. To date, Gabe has released seven recordings that show his breadth as a musician focused in the areas of contemporary music, jazz, and nuevo tango as well as traditional classical music, with plans to expand into the world of DAW and BandLab. Over the last two decades, Gabe served as the executive director of The Phoenix Ensemble, a nonprofit organization dedicated to warm hearted and compassionate arts education. Education for HappinessGabe's Website

American violist Rita Porfiris  has performed in major concert halls and music festivals worldwide as a chamber musician, orchestral musician, and as a soloist.Currently the Associate Professor of Viola and Director of Chamber Music at The Hartt School, she has also been on the faculties of New York University, the University of Houston Moores’ School of Music, Florida International University, and the Harlem School for the Arts in New York. She has given master classes, lectures and clinics across the U.S., United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Iceland, Taiwan, and the Dominican Republic.Ms. Porfiris is a member of the Miller-Porfiris Duo and the Hartt Quartet. As a founding member of the Plymouth Quartet, she was in-residence at the Ojai Festival, Mainly Mozart, Point Counterpoint, and the Internationale Quartettakademie Prag-Wien-Budapest. She was the recipient of Austria’s prestigious Prix Mercure, a prize winner in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and the Primrose International Viola Competition, and a laureate of the Paolo Borciani International Quartet Competition.In her 20 year-long career as an orchestral musician, 15 years of which were spent with the Houston Symphony, she worked under some of the most recognized conductors of the 20-21 Centuries, including Leonard Bernstein, Sergiu Celibidache, Kurt Masur, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Christoph Eschenbach. Equally at home in a wide variety of genres, Rita has shared the stage with Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Bernadette Peters, Lyle Lovett, Rod Stewart, and Tony Bennett, to name a few.Highlights of recent seasons include chamber concerts with Lynn Harrell, Joseph Kalichstein, and Jamie Laredo; tours to Israel, Europe, and Taiwan; sold-out concerto appearances at the historic Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany; Baltimore, Maryland and Lincoln, Nebraska; and a performance of the rarely played Romantic Rhapsody for Violin, Viola and Orchestra by Arthur Benjamin as part of the Miller-Porfiris Duo. In May 2016, the Baltimore Sun declared "Rita Porfiris proved an ideal soloist, as much for her richness of tone and impeccable articulation as for the warmth and subtlety of her phrasing."Rita’s transcriptions for the viola of both classical music staples and pop favorites have been enjoyed worldwide by audiences and performers. Gramophone Magazine called her  transcription of Gliere’s Eight Pieces Op. 39, recorded on the Miller-Porfiris Duo’s second CD “Eight Pieces,”  "satisfying" and "sung with beautiful warmth." Recent acclaim from Fanfare for the Duo's third CD, entitled "Divertimenti" declares their playing "a lightning bolt" and speaks to the "color, fire, and passion."Ms. Porfiris received both her BM and MM in Viola Performance from The Juilliard School, studying with William Lincer. Other teachers and mentors included Paul Doktor, Norbert Brainin, and Harvey Shapiro.WebsiteUncertainty of Fate Festival

Krissy Bergmark is a tabla player, percussionist, and composer in the Twin Cities. Bergmarkcenters her work on bringing tabla to new genres and cross-genres through composition andperformance. She has received commissions and grants through the Cedar Commissions, theJerome Foundation, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, and the Minnesota State ArtsBoard for her tabla studies and compositions for tabla, percussion, and strings. She was also aparticipant in the International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at Banff Center for Artsand Creativity in 2018, and Silkroad Ensemble’s Global Musician Workshop in 2016. Sheperforms with her progressive folk trio Sprig of That, electronics and tabla duo Lo.mocean, and a variety of other musicians in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Chicago, and New York. Krissy is a2010 graduate of Northern Illinois University and a 2012 graduate of the University ofMinnesota. She is an Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Gustavus Adolphus College. Krissyendorses Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets. You can stay updated on her latestrecordings, projects, and performances via Facebook, Instagram, and krissybergmark.com.

Kenji Bunch is one of America’s most engaging, influential, and prolific composers. Through an expansive blend of classical and vernacular styles, Bunch makes music that’s “clearly modern but deeply respectful of tradition and instantly enjoyable.” (The Washington Post) Deemed “emotional Americana,” (Oregon ArtsWatch) and infused with folk and roots influences, Bunch’s work has inspired a new genre classification: “Call it neo-American: casual on the outside, complex underneath, immediate and accessible to first-time listeners… Bunch’s music is shiningly original.” (The Oregonian) Hailed by The New York Times as “A Composer To Watch” and cited by Alex Ross in his seminal book The Rest Is Noise, Bunch’s wit, lyricism, unpredictability, and exquisite craftsmanship earn acclaim from audiences, performers, and critics alike. His interests in history, philosophy, and intergenerational and cross-cultural sharing of the arts reflect in his work. Varied style references in Bunch's writing mirror the diversity of global influence on American culture and reveal his deft ability to integrate bluegrass, hip hop, jazz, and funk idioms. Rich, tonal harmonies and drawn-out, satisfying builds characterize Bunch’s work and easily lend themselves to dance and film. Over sixty American orchestras have performed Bunch’s music, which “reache(s) into every section of the orchestra to create an intriguing mixture of sonic colors.” (NW Reverb) Recent works include commissions and premieres from the Seattle Symphony, the Oregon Symphony, the Lark Quartet, the Britt Festival, Music From Angel Fire, Chamber Music Northwest, the Eugene Ballet, and the Grant Park Music Festival. His extensive discography includes recordings on Sony/BMG, EMI Classics, Koch, RCA, and Naxos labels among others. Also an outstanding violist, Bunch was the first student ever to receive dual Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in viola and composition from The Juilliard School and was a founding member of the highly acclaimed ensembles Flux Quartet (1996-2002) and Ne(x)tworks (2003-2011). Bunch currently serves as Artistic Director of Fear No Music, and teaches viola, composition, and music theory at Portland State University, Reed College, and for the Portland Youth Philharmonic.Website: https://www.kenjibunch.netFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/kenjibunchmusic  

Performer-Composer Brian Kavolius-Matherne is a horn and electronics soloist withprojects as varied as the medium is unique. With influences including Tchaikovsky, Strauss,Broadway, French-Acoustic-Folk, David Maslanka, and Julia Kent, it is no wonder that hetook to composition to synthesize all the music he hears!Brian developed a taste for new music early in his career, performing with the EDGE NewMusic Ensemble at Shenandoah Conservatory during his early training. Since then, he hascommissioned multiple new works for solo horn and various chamber groups and hasserved as principal horn for world premieres of works for orchestra and band. Acollaborator at heart, common theme of a recital organized by Brian is a connection toanother art form, such as winemaking, brewing, oration, photography, or writing. As aperformer-composer, he has performed his works for audiences across the USand Canada, ranging from Hawaiʻi to the east coast, including a recent appearance at theSanta Clara Universities Music@Noon series.In addition to horn and electronics life, Brian has had a full career as a solo, chamber, andorchestral musician. He served as principal horn in performances with the University ofMaryland Symphony Orchestra, the University of Maryland Wind Orchestra, theShenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, Shenandoah Summer Music TheaterCompany, the Plainville Wind Ensemble, the Rapidan Orchestra, the Miami Summer MusicFestival Symphony Orchestra, and the Miami Summer Music Festival Opera Orchestra. Heis an active participant in the chamber music community wherever he lives and has been aregular member of many groups. After his collegiate training, Brian was appointed the Principal Horn of the USNavy’s “U.S. Pacific Fleet Band” in Pearl Harbor, Hawaiʻi and served under the baton ofFleet Bandmaster Lieutenant Commander Kelly Cartwright. While serving in the Navy, hewas a featured soloist and regular horn player for the organization’s premiere brassquintet, “Harbor Brass” and wind quintet, “Trade Winds”. During his service in the US Navy, Brian completed multiple international and domestic tours, providing musicalsupport for hundreds of diplomatic, military, and outreach events. He participated in theOʻahu Joint Military Service Band Concert in 2019, serving as principal horn for militarymembers in the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Army, and National Guard. In 2018, he wasselected to perform at the Midwest Band Conference as a member of a Navy-widechamber ensemble. He received the National Medal of Arts “for personifying excellence inmusic and service to country”. As a fierce advocate for musical outreach in educational settings, Brian contributedhundreds of hours of volunteer teaching for local high schools during his military service.He served as the head of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band’s Music Education Outreach Programand was the initiating agent for key programs, including multiple joint programs withthe University of Hawaiʻi Department of Music and the Navy’s first online outreachprogram during COVID-19. He is committed to education and maintains an activehorn studio and stays in touch with a network of band directors, providing educationaloutreach as a soloist.Brian received his undergraduate degree in Music Therapy along with a performancecertificate from Shenandoah Conservatory and his MM in Horn Performancefrom the University of Maryland. He maintains an MT-BC credential with the CertificationBoard for Music Therapists. His principal teachers are Janelle Ellis, WilliamZsembery, Joseph Lovinsky, and Gregory Miller.https://www.briankm.com/https://www.facebook.com/Brian-KM-106555628094186

We're back! Bailey kicks off this next run of episodes with friend and fellow fiddle demon, Rachel Calvert. Rachel plays fiddle and sings with Barbaro, an award-winning Bluegrass and Americana band based out of Minneapolis. Barbaro’s musical vision explores their collective life experiences through intricate instrumentation, creatively bending traditional music into a style that is all their own. The Minneapolis-Winona based rising stars have created their eclectic sound through original songwriting craft, with inspiration derived from bluegrass, jazz and chamber music.Barbaro's social media:Website - barbaroband.comInstagram - barbaro_bandTwitter - @Barbaro_bandFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/barbaro.bandYouTube - youtube.com/barbaromusicRachel's social media:Instagram - bleepbloopbeeboopTwitter - @callmebackplzEmail - rcalvert@barbaroband.com

**Want to register for Sarah's cooking class on February 12th and get a discount? Use code "Dissonance" for 20% off when you click the link below!** https://www.hungrymusician.as.me/feastSarah Jane Kenner (The Hungry Musician) is a professional violinist, blogger, and culinary coach in the New York City area. As a violinist, Sarah specializes in early music, and has performed with leading period instrument ensembles in venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Washington National Cathedral, the Caramoor Center for Music and theArts, and Trinity Church Wall Street. She holds performance degrees from The Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and Temple University.At The Hungry Musician, Sarah enjoys providing cooking tips and wholesome, flavorful recipes geared towards creative individuals. She knows firsthand how hard it can be to fit cooking (and other forms of self- care) into a busy lifestyle - but she also knows how essential it is for maintaining physical, mental, and creative health. For this reason, she has made it her mission to encourage her unique following and clientele to embrace cooking creatively and efficiently.Blog: https://www.thehungrymusician.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/hungrymusicianMusic: http://www.sjkviolin.comIG: @hungrymusician

This week kicks off a mini-arc of episodes that takes a look at a few ways we as musicians can take care of ourselves. Up first, we have Keri Anderson! Keri describes her passion as, "to help people look and perform at their best through fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle coaching." Keri has been the nutrition program coordinator at Lifetime Fitness since 2016, and has been a fitness professional and nutrition coach since 2006. She specializes in both 1:1 and small-group training. Her certifications include Precision Nutrition, ISSA Personal Training and Nutrition, NASM, and RKC.On top of helping others with their own fitness and nutrition goals, Keri was a pro bodybuilder in 2015, physique and figure competitor, and competed in powerlifting in 2017. She is a wealth of information on this topic and I'm excited to share one of the strategies that has been helpful in maintaining my body so I can continue to play at a high level. * Keep in mind that everyone's needs are different, so it's always recommended to check with a professional before beginning any lifestyle changes*

This week, Bailey sits down with Evan Newman, pianist and sales wiz. A lot of musicians get turned off when they hear the word "sales;" the art should speak loudly enough for itself, right? Not always the case! Evan brings a unique perspective as someone who performs at a high level both musically and as a Cutco Sales Professional. With half a million dollars in personal sales, his experience brings a lot to this discussion! Outside of the Cutco world, Evan is a professional pianist, who earned his Master's Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He continues to teach independently in the Minneapolis area, as a part-time instructor. With Cutco, Evan specializes in helping Realtors/LO's with their gifting needs and works with the #1 team in MN. His favorite pastimes include traveling, fishing, reading, and bodybuilding.https://www.facebook.com/Evan-Newman-Cutco-Sales-Professional-105046724553740https://evannewmanpiano.com

Leila Ramagopal Pertl is an Instructor in Music Education and harp at Lawrence University, Deep Listening Instructor for the Center for Deep Listening, and the Music Education Curator of the Mile of Music Festival, in Appleton Wisconsin where Leila and her team lead 60 hands-on music-making events for its over 75,000 visitors each year. She created the innovative music curricula at Next Generation School in Champaign, IL and at Appleton Public Montessori, Appleton, Wi, where music is treated as a core subject; each student taking music class every day and being immersed in drumming, dancing, singing, improvisation, composition, music theory, and Deep Listening. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Lawrence University, a Master of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois and is a recipient of the Pi Kappa Lambda Honors, Excellence in Music Education. She is an active presenter and has recently given presentations and teacher workshops for the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education and Dance, Appleton Area School District, WMEA State Conference, the International Deep Listening Conference, the Appleton Education Foundation, The Smithsonian Year of Music panel on the Future of Music Education, and co-presented a paper at the Northeastern Philosophy of Education Society at Tufts University: “Hearing the Lines: The Birth of Childhood and Philosophy through Music.” Leila was the 2018 recipient of the Mentor Award from the Wisconsin Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (WACTE) and is the WMEA State Chair for Composition and Improvisation. She believes that music is a birthright, and loves being with people in collaborative, creative spaces! https://lawrence.edu

Brian Pertl is currently the Dean of the Lawrence Conservatory. He is a trombonist, ethnomusicologist, didjeridu player, Deep Listener, and an advocate for music education at all levels. Brian believes that creating a conservatory music culture that honors diversity, multi-musicality, creativity, exploration, collaboration, curiosity, and play is key to producing musicians and entrepreneurs who will best overcome the obstacles and capitalize on the opportunities facing today’s graduates. Brian is endlessly optimistic that the properly prepared music graduate will have more opportunities to create a musical life than ever before.https://lawrenceuniversity.orghttps://deeplistening.org

One of the youngest violin professors at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, Anick is considered “a rising star in the world of jazz violin and mandolin” (Downbeat Magazine). In addition to leading various groups under his own name and performing with the Rhythm Future Quartet, Anick has been touring and recording with Grammy award-winning Nashville guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson since 2008 when he was recruited while still a senior at the Hartt Conservatory. Over the past few years, Jason has been focusing on arranging and composing for the Rhythm Future Quartet, Jason Anick Acoustic Trio, and the Anick/Yeager Quartet. The Rhythm Future Quartet, which Jason started with Finish guitar virtuoso Olli Soikkeli, is rapidly becoming one of the preeminent Gypsy jazz groups in the country. The group just released its third album, "RFQ and Friends" which was praised by JazzTimes as "packed to the gills with feeling... dynamic, full of virtuosity and swing".The Jason Anick Acoustic Trio, which formed in 2017, applies Jason's formidable improvisational and compositional chops to the roots/fiddle music of his youth. The Jason Anick/Jason Yeager Quartet draws on the wide swath of musical interests of its co-leaders, blending straight-ahead and post-bop jazz, world music, funk and pop, eagerly embracing what Anick and Yeager have defined as “jazz without borders.” Their debut album, United, garnered rave reviews including 4.5 stars from Downbeat Magazine. A versatile musician and sought after side-man, Anick has also shared the stage with an array of artist like Stevie Wonder, Tommy Emmanuel, Hamilton de Holanda, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, John Sebastian, Delta Rae, and Ward Hayden and the Outliers. With performances all over the world from China, Europe, and Japan and renowned venues like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Blue Note, Smalls Jazz Club, Scullers Jazz Club, Yoshi's, Iridium, TD Garden, Regattabar, NPR, and The Late Night Show, Jason has proven himself to be a leader in the ever-growing contemporary string world.Jason is also a sought-after educator, and has taught jazz violin and mandolin to students of all ages at string camps, workshops, and clinics around the world. Jason regularly contributes educational columns to Fiddler Magazine and instructional videos to DC Music and Christian Howes' Creative Strings Academy.

Kate Kayaian is a professional cellist, teacher, musician’s coach, and the creator and artistic director of the Virtual Summer Cello Festival–the very first full-length summer festival program to be offered online in 2020. As a cellist, Kate has performed as soloist, chamber musician and recitalist in a myriad of venues from art galleries in Seattle to Jordan Hall in Boston, and in some of the top concert halls of Europe.She attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and was subsequently awarded a fellowship at the New World Symphony Orchestra in Miami. She performs and records often with the Grammy award-winning contemporary music ensemble, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and was embarking on a US tour of her solo recital program: The Voice of the Cello when the current COVID-19 pandemic hit.Drawing from her 5 years of experience as a pioneer in the world of online teaching, she created the 7-week Virtual Summer Cello Festival for highly talented high school and college aged cellists as a response to the cancelation of traditional summer festivals due to the current public health crisis.This fall she is unveiling 2 of her latest projects: The Bridge Online Cello Studio–created for advanced high school and college level– which combines her current online private teaching studio with the group structure of the festival, creating an incredible opportunity for students all over the world to study. And The Profit Pivot–a 10 week long group coaching program for professional musicians who are ready to take the reins on their careers and their bank accounts.She writes about career and life issues for classical musicians on her blog, Tales From The Lane, and coaches musicians and other creatives on career and mindset pivots to ensure financially stable lives for them and their families.Join her Tales From the Lane Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/TalesfromthelaneInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kkayaian/?hl=enWebsite: https://katekayaian.com/Blog (Tales From The Lane): https://talesfromthelane.com/Virtual Summer Cello Festival: https://virtualsummercellofestival.wordpress.com/

Sarah Larsen has blown through the juke joints and watering holes of America, the perfect example of a classical good girl gone outlaw. She’s shot whiskey in the Midwestern Wilds, danced to zydeco in Louisiana, fallen in love in the Rockies, and two-stepped on top of broken hearts in Nashville. With fiddle, banjo, and guitar in tow, Hoss sings the stories of her travels and travails, as well as traditional songs of the American experience. When not portraying the urban gypsy-cowgirl Hurricane Hoss, Sarah Williams Larsen is one of the Northeast’s hardest working fiddle players. An award-winning contest fiddler, classical call-girl, and session player, she’s recently lent her fingers to Dr. Dog, David Mayfield, Ben Arnold, Saskwatch, Mason Porter, and the Hot Club of Philadelphia. She has also been a member in the multi-instrumental folk trio Ladybird. Instagram: @sarahlarsenmusichttps://www.facebook.com/hurricanehoss

Honesty Pill founder Christopher Still joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic as SecondTrumpet in 2007. Before coming to California, he was the Principal Trumpet of the Colorado Symphony.He has also held the positions of Associate Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Symphonyand Principal Trumpet of the Charleston (SC) Symphony. Additionally, Christopher hasserved as Assistant Principal Trumpet with the Grant Park Festival Orchestra inChicago’s Millennium Park and Guest Principal with the St. Louis Symphony.Christopher has recorded extensively with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Grant Park,Dallas, and Albany symphony orchestras. Active in the Hollywood recording studios, hecan be heard on major motion picture and television soundtracks. He is a YamahaArtist, a dedicated educator, and an active clinician.Having grown up in a musical household, Christopher originally intended to become aband director and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the Crane Schoolof Music (SUNY-Potsdam). Switching to performance, he received his Master of MusicPerformance degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston. He was aTanglewood Music Center Fellow in 1995 and 1996.Christopher’s favorite aspect of his job is the orchestra’s frequent performance ofcontemporary music, especially the Green Umbrella concert series.Christopher lives in Altadena, CA with his wife, Amanda McIntosh, and two children. Heenjoys long-distance running, skiing, brewing beer, and hiking in the trails behind hishouse.

For tickets to Will's "Songs from the Shower: Viola Vespers recital, please visit https://viola-vespers.eventbrite.com Concert is Sunday, 11/22 at 7:30 pm EST. Will Curry enjoys a diverse career as a music director, conductor, violist, violinist, teacher, and coach. An active theater musician, Will was recently the music director and conductor of the national tour of Miss Saigon. He previously held positions of violist and assistant conductor with the Broadway productions of My Fair Lady at Lincoln Center Theater, Miss Saigon, Fiddler on the Roof, and Les Misérables. Before moving to New York City, Will served as the associate conductor and violist for the Toronto production of Les Misérables, and toured the US with the 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables as concertmaster and assistant conductor.An avid chamber musician, Will is a member of Mod3, with pianist Carol Ann Aicher and oboist Kevin Chavez. He also regularly performs with the Broadway Chamber Players. Will has performed with singer-songwriter, Amanda Brown, and with Pink Martini.A passionate teacher, Will teaches violin and viola at the Elisabeth Morrow School and Wilton Music Studios. He is a teaching artist with Broadway Classroom and has taught masterclasses at UCLA, University of Northern Colorado, Michigan State University, Arizona State University, Northwestern University, and the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts. He has guest conducted ensembles at Saratoga High School, Beechwood High School, Hershey High School, and Jefferson County High School.A graduate of Northwestern University, Will studied viola with Roland Vamos and conducting with Victor Yampolsky. He currently studies piano with Carol Ann Aicher. Previous teachers include Alice Bish, Liu-Quo Chang, Charles Pickler, Matthias Tacke, and Clara Takarabe. Will trained in the Suzuki method at The School for Strings in New York City with Allen Lieb and Kati Gerson. Will can be heard on the cast albums of My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, and John & Jen, and he has released two solo albums, Fill in the Words and The Time of Year for Miracles, with actor/singer Ian Patrick Gibb. Will contributed orchestrations to Jake Weinstein’s short film Ode to the Singing Butler, and to Lawrence Rush’s musical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Other orchestration credits include performances by Andrew Lippa, Carole Shelley, Christine Ebersole, Andrea McArdle, Jay Armstrong Johnson and Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Harvey Evans and Jim Brochu, and Daniel Reichard.https://willcurrymusic.com@wjcurry

* The Super String concert David mentions in the episode takes place November 14th, 2020. Please click on the link to get your ticket!* https://www.savvymusician.com/superstringDr. David Cutler, a self-proclaimed WEEKEND TRAVELER, is a pianist and composer equally comfortable with classical, jazz, popular, folk, and world music. Stretching what it means to be a performer, events regularly involve crazy antics: extreme eclecticism, choreography, humor, interdisciplinary collaboration, superhero costumes, character ushers, celebrity cameos, kazoo playing marching bands, you name it.Cutler's remarkable composition SuperNova dramatically reimagines the most popular string method of all time, SUZUKI VIOLIN SCHOOL, VOLUME 1. While melodies remain unchanged, rhythm section accompaniments are virtuosic and exploratory, inspired by music genres from around the globe (tango to techno, Baroque to boogie). This project includes 4 full albums, a SuperCreativity eCourse, string ensemble arrangements, and more. One of the world’s leading voices on ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP, Cutler has led keynotes and workshops for Music Teachers National Association, College Music Society, Juilliard School, Dutch Classical Music Meeting, Chamber Music America, New World Symphony Orchestra, Indiana University, and Italy’s soundSCAPE music festival. His books The Savvy Musician and The Savvy Music Teacher, which provide tools for amplifying income, impact, and innovation, have shaped a generation of musicians. Dr. Cutler is a distinguished professor of music entrepreneurship at University of South Carolina, and a Yamaha Master Educator.Cutler and his consulting firm The Puzzler Company work with arts, business, and education organizations to foster innovation. His upcoming VISUAL book (illustrations and design throughout) Problem-Solving Champion: Winning the GAME of Innovation helps teams turn problems into GAMEs and play to win. email: cutler@savvymusician.com

Praised by The Washington Post for her “marvelous violin acrobatics,” Sarah is known for being on the edge of creativity and has developed a successful music career as a performer, teacher and musicians life & business coach. She has appeared on stages worldwide as a soloist and collaborative artist throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa and is fiercely dedicated to bringing fresh new ideas to classical music and empowering musicians to find their own voice. Sarah is a founding member of the NYC based string quintet SYBARITE5, whose last two albums have reached the top ten on the Billboard Charts. SYBARITE5, the first string quintet to win the Concert Artists Guild Competition, has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, the Library of Congress, the Aspen, Caramoor, Chautauqua, Grand Teton and Ravinia Festivals. In 2015, Sarah founded Beyond the Notes, an innovative concert series that breaks down the boundaries between the audience and the performers. Entering its sixth season of successful concerts, Beyond the Notes presents concerts around the country in partnership with series and organizations and presents flagship Beyond the Notes concert occurs annually in Concord, MA. Passionate about helping musicians navigate the ever-changing music world, Sarah is a musician's life and business coach and helps musicians craft fulfilling and sustainable careers in music. She has also given entrepreneurship lectures and workshops at the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Rice University, University of Arizona, among others. Her reputation and devotion to sound practice techniques led STRINGS magazine to feature Sarah in an article, ‘The Art of Mindful Practice’ and her widely-read blog The Productive Musician focuses on health and wellness, productivity, and strategies for developing and maintaining an effective mindset. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan School of Music, as well as a Master of Music and Professional Studies degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Sarah's FREE PDF "Four Secrets to Being Super Successful (that you didn't learn in music school)": https://mailchi.mp/f3efa38865b5/zxa712k2piWebsite: https://sarahwhitney.com Blog: https://www.sarahwhitney.com/the-productive-musician/IG: @theproductivemusicianFB: https://www.facebook.com/theproductivemusician/

Dr. Matthew Arau, founder of Upbeat Global, is the Chair of the Music EducationDepartment and Associate Director of Bands at the Lawrence University Conservatoryof Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. In addition, Dr. Arau is on the faculty of the AmericanBand College of Central Washington University and VanderCook College of Music. Healso serves as a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician and as Member-at-Large on theNAfME Council for Band Education.Dr. Arau has guest conducted and presented on student leadership, mindfulness,growth mindset, rehearsal techniques, and creating positive cultures in over 25 statesand 4 continents. He has presented at the International Midwest Band and OrchestraClinic, the Western International Band Clinic, the NAfME National Conference,numerous State and Regional Music Education Association Conferences, and theConn-Selmer Institute. He has conducted honor bands in Australia, Greece, Cyprus,and Malaysia, and All-State honor bands across the United States. Dr. Arau teaches hisUpbeat! Leadership Program to student leaders and Drum Majors at in-person andonline camps around the United States and abroad.Dr. Arau draws on a deep reservoir of fifteen years of experience as a successfulmiddle school and high school band director in Loveland, Colorado, where he led hisbands at Walt Clark Middle School and Loveland High School to numerous honorperformances and championships and pioneered the Leadership Symposium. Dr. Arauholds a D.M.A. in Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado Boulderand a Master of Science in Music Education from the American Band College ofSouthern Oregon University. He graduated magna cum laude from LawrenceUniversity, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education,Music Performance (Classical), Music Performance (Jazz Studies), and a Bachelor ofArts in Government. He resides in Neenah, Wisconsin with his wife Merilee, their dogOlive, and two sugar gliders - Little Foot and Flash.https://www.upbeatglobal.com/leadership-summithttps://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/education/programs/conn-selmer-institute-student-leadership

Critically acclaimed as the "pre-eminent improvising violinist of his generation," Zach Brock is an American jazz violinist and Grammy Award-winning member of Snarky Puppy. He has toured with Stanley Clarke and Phil Markowitz, released seven solo albums, and was named "Rising Star Violinist" of 2013 by Downbeat Magazine. A passionate educator, Zach has coached hundreds of musicians from workshops to conservatories worldwide. Zach remains a perennial coffee fanatic and skateboard enthusiast, and currently lives with his wife and daughters in the NYC area.Since this is a longer episode, here are some time stamps for our conversation:1:00 Intro/Background4:40: Higher education, Zach’s accident and how it shaped him as a musician11:38: Zach’s teaching- “Dogmatic about not being dogmatic”19:00 Improvising and how to be in the moment30:00 Streaming industry and the why we as musicians are stuck on CD’s48:00 Optimizing your digital reach and presence 54:00 Snarky Puppy- music for your brain and booty 60:10 Leadership in Snarky Puppy87:30: Vacillating productivity on the corona coaster and staying mindful85:20 “The Last Dance” and motivation https://zachbrock.comhttps://snarkypuppy.com

Bonus episode! Bailey sits down with Mike Block to discuss cross-cultural playing, his experience getting into the Silk Road Ensemble, and his recent recording frenzy. He has a new album coming out next Friday called "The Edge of the Atmosphere," which we discover he took a totally new role! Listen to find out more! Mike Block is a pioneering cello player, singer, composer, and educator, hailed by Yo- Yo Ma as the "ideal musician of the 21st-Century". Passionate about cross-cultural collaboration through music, Mike is committed to inspiring individuals and connecting communities. At home in a wide range of musical styles, through a multi-genre approach to composition, performance and education, he seeks to inspire audiences and empower musicians to find joy in the full world of music. Acclaimed by the NY Times for his "vital rich-hued solo playing", Block's solo performances offer a rich mixture of core classical repertoire with original compositions. Mike is member of Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble (SRE), having joined in 2005 while a student at TheJuilliard School. Touring extensively throughout the world with SRE, he has been featured as cello and vocal soloist, contributed arrangements and compositions, and earned a Grammy Award in 2017 for their album, Sing Me Home. As an innovator, Mike is among the first wave of cellists to adopt a strap in order to stand and move while playing. With The Block Strap, Mike was the first standing cellist to perform at Carnegie Hall. The NY Times characterized the performance as, "Breathless ... Half dance, half dare." As an educator, Mike is passionate about creativity and collaboration, and is the founding director of Silkroad’s Global Musician Workshop, and the Mike Block String Camp.Mike's new album: https://www.brightshiny.ninja/the-edge-of-the-atmosphereMike's website:http://www.MikeBlockMusic.com

In this episode, Bailey sits down with jazz violinist and educator Christian Howes. Suzuki grad and Suzuki Dad, Violinist, educator and composer, Christian Howes is the founder of “Creative Strings“, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to expand music education through the creation of online curriculum, an annual summer conference, and dozens of visits to schools annually teaching improvisation, contemporary styles, and related subjects. Since March 2020 he has published over 150 Free Play Along Videos on his Youtube channel to support teachers and players of all levels. He was voted #1 in the Downbeat Critics Poll (“Rising Stars/Violin”), named among the top three violinists in the JazzTimes critics poll, and nominated for Violinist of the Year by the Jazz Journalist Association. He received the Residency Partner Award through Chamber Music America, earned a USArtists grant through the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, and was invited by the U.S. State department to teach and perform as a cultural ambassador twice, in Ukraine and Montenegro. His release on Resonance Records, “Southern Exposure” earned recognition in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Downbeat, Jazz Times, as well as a six-night run at Lincoln Center. His release, “American Spirit” was named among the Best Jazz Albums of 2015″ by the Huffington Post. "SuperNova" Suzuki Reimagined with David Cutler:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/supernovacreativity/supernova-0Christian Howes' Website and Facebook Page:https://christianhowes.com/https://www.facebook.com/christianhowesviolinist/

Calida Jones began studying the piano at the age of 3 while attending Nursery School, and switched to violin at the age of 6 when she entered Thomas G. Pullen Performing Arts School in Landover, Maryland. Currently, Calida is the Assistant Director of Education & Engagement at University of Hartford’s The Hartt School. She also serves as Program Director for Music Matters, and the Conductor of the Hartford All-City Youth Orchestra in conjunction with the Charter Oak Culture Center. Prior to those roles, Calida was appointed Director of Development and Advocacy for the El Sistema inspired program PROJECT MUSIC from 2018-2019. In 2012, Calida was hired by the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra to design and implement the El Sistema inspired program “Bravo Waterbury!” (Bravo). She continued her work in Waterbury until August of 2018. She continues to consult with organizations all over the country. An accomplished musician, social justice advocate and educator, Calida’s work has taken her all over the world teaching and performing. Calida is passionate about intentional purposeful teaching and community engagement. Her personal mission is to ensure that children who have limited resources also have access to musical opportunities and activities. She knows that this type of musicalexposure and education will benefit them and build their confidence which will catapult them to successful careers, regardless of the career path. She is committed to correlating the art of teaching to life skills, and community building. Calida has had the privilege of speaking multiple times at the prestigious Yale School of Music, Duke University, Ravinia, The Connecticut State Capitol, The Hartt School of Music, and was a Tedx speaker in San Jose, CA. Most recently, Calida has consulted with Sphinx Organization, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Utah Cultural Alliance, and a host of other organizations. A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Bachelors of Fine Arts in Violin Performance), she received her Masters in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from The Hartt School ofMusic. Calida is honored and humbled to have received awards, and honors during her career including a scholar fellowship at the Aspen Festival of Ideas, The Elizabeth Mahaffey Fellowship, a Grammy nomination for the Music Educator Excellence Award, the Father Thomas H. Dwyer Humanitarian Award for her work in Waterbury, Connecticut, and the 2018 CT Arts Hero Award in Waterbury CT. Calida serves on the Board of The Hartt School of Music, El Sistema USA (Board Clerk), and chairsthe Racial Diversity and Cultural Understanding Committee; she also serves as the President of the Connecticut Arts Alliance.https://cnjassociates.comInstagram: @cnjassociates LinkedIn: Calida Jones

This week, Bailey talks with Nick Matherne. Nick offers a unique perspective on how student-led learning can improve the ensemble experience, while also giving students skills that allow them greater freedom in music making outside of school. Nick is an instrumental music teacher at Kaimuki High School and teaches the University Chorus and music education courses at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He serves as president-electfor the Hawai’i Music Educators Association and is the University Resources and Repertoire Chair for the Hawai'i Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, he has taught high school music in Hawaiʻi, Maryland, and Virginia, teaching courses in instrumental, vocal, and popular music. Nick holds a B.M. in Music Education and a B.A. in Spanish from James Madison University and an M.A. in Music Education from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His thesis examines older adults’ well-being and participation in community music and his research interests include popular music education, well-being, participation in school music, alternative music classroom formats, and distance learning pedagogy. He is a co-author for a chapter on school-university partnerships in popular music education in the upcoming book, Action-Based Pedagogies for Popular Music Education: A Practical Guide.Website: https://mathernemusic.weebly.com/

Matt Turner is widely regarded as one of the world's leading improvising cellists. Equally skilled as a pianist, Turner performs in numerous styles and has shared the stage in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia with Cape Breton fiddle sensation Natalie MacMaster, avant-garde musicians Marilyn Crispell, Peter Kowald, Guillermo Gregorio, Scott Fields, and John Butcher, as well as country musician Wanda Vick, singer-songwriter LJ Booth, and jazz musician Bobby McFerrin to name a few. He appears on over 100 recordings on Sketch/Harmonia Mundi, Illusions, Music and Arts, Accurate, Polyvinyl, Cadence Jazz and others, recording with jazz violinist Randy Sabien, goth vocalist/pianist Jo Gabriel, singer/songwriters Mark Croft and Tret Fure, punk artist Kyle Fischer, Kitty Brazelton's chamber rockestra Dadadah, alt-country band Heller Mason, and with the Pointless Orchestra.Turner completed his undergraduate studies at Lawrence University and his Master of Music degree in Third Stream Studies (now the Contemporary Improvisation program) at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Dave Holland, Geri Allen and Joe Maneri, and where he was the recipient of a Distinction in Perfomance Award.As a leader, Turner's recordings appear on Illusions, Stellar, O.O. Discs, Asian Improv, Penumbra, Fever Pitch, Geode, Tautology and Meniscus Records. Turner is a Yamaha Performing Artist and currently performs and records with Bill Carrothers' Armistice 1918 ensemble and with the Fantastic Merlins.Over the course of the episode, Matt and Bailey outline concrete ways for teachers to start improvising with their students no matter what genre they are comfortable with. They also discuss the new degree track at Lawrence University "Jazz and Improvisational Music", and how teaching ensembles has been impacted by the pandemicMatt's website: http://improvcellist.comMatt's email: matthew.l.turner@lawrence.eduThe new degree track at LU: https://www.lawrence.edu/conservatory/areas_of_study/jazz_improvisational_music

This episode features my dear friend, Nicolas Bizub. Over the course of the episode, we cover a lot of ground, including what it means to be a 21st century composer, the possible future of CD's, and issues of equity in the orchestra. Read below for his bio; resources mentioned in the podcast are listed below as well. Award-winning composer Nicolas Bizub writes music which is dark, striving, and yearning, which also points towards radiance and light. Inspired by both the natural world and the human interaction with it, Nicolas often uses nature within his music as metaphors for more human topics, including emotion, politics, creation, and destruction. His musical language blends bittersweet melodic sensibilities with a richly dark harmonic language and volatile driving rhythms to forge a visceral, audible connection with these light and dark sides of humanity.His music has received prizes and awards from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The American Prize, the McKnight Foundation, New York Youth Symphony First Music, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, the Wisconsin Cello Society, Lawrence University, and the College-Conservatory of Music. He has been praised for his “ability to weave musical textures, sonorities, and skillfully change pacing” within his works as an element which “truly shines” (Helena Michelson, American Prize). Nicolas’ music has been written for and performed by numerous leading new music ensembles and artists, including, British violinist Madeleine Mitchell, American violist Michael Hall, loadbang, NOW Ensemble, Hypercube, Zodiac Trio, F-PLUS, Unheard-of//Ensemble, and American violist Bailey Poesnecker, among others. His music has been performed throughout the United States and Europe and may be heard on Ablaze Records and Centaur Records.Article: https://theconversation.com/music-education-has-a-race-problem-and-universities-must-address-it-143719?fbclid=IwAR3W8xUbP0vMmxqZXu_AURcB2K03KGxymamxqNdTVIB8lrzaCTIjDeL2Xv8DeCoda ensemble: https://decodamusic.org/ Lutoslwaski: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Witold-Lutoslawski Pauline Oliveros: https://paulineoliveros.us/ IGLU (Improvisation Group of Lawrence University): https://www.lawrence.edu/conservatory/areas_of_study/iglu Kenji Bunch, the piece mentioned is entitled “The 3 G’s,” not “The 3 C’s”: https://www.kenjibunch.net/ Rushad Eggleston: http://facebook.com/rushad.eggleston Casey Driessen and the Chop Notation Project: https://caseydriessen.com, https://www.caseydriessen.com/chop-notation-project

Carolyn began cello at age 8, held a principal chair at age 11 and won her first concertocompetition at age 15. Recently, she has soloed with the New England Repertory Orchestra, Nashua Chamber Orchestra and collaborated with the Muir Quartet, Ying Quartet, and Time for Three. Her mentors have also included William Rounds,Stephen Geber, Michael Reynolds, Mihail Jojatu,Peter Howard, and Dave Eggar. Carolyn has attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival, Hidden Valley Music Masterclasses, Kent/Blossom Music Festival, Berkshire High Peaks, and Mostly Modern Festival.She earned both a Dual Bachelor’s in Cello Performance and Music Theory & Composition, as well as a Master’s in Cello Performance from Boston University. Currently Carolyn is pursuing a post-grad program in New York City.In addition to her studies, Carolyn has a virtual career where she is known as “The Cello Doll,” and strives to revamp popular opinions on classical music. Since July 2018, The Cello Doll has been making a name for herself on social media as a classical trained cellist with a gothic flare, fiery passion and persevering attitude.Through original arrangements that mash-up popular and classical music, she chooses pieces that complement each other and presents them in original music videos. Her Instagram reached 12K followers before her 1 year anniversary in 2019, and has led to collaborations with companies such as NS Design, Coruss Synthetic Bow Hair, and the interactive sheet music app, Tomplay. Additionally, she has a YouTube channel that just reached 1k subscribers and a Facebook page with nearly 650 likes. As a performer and mentor, she aims to also have her social media platforms serve as educational resources for other musicians: including videos about her career experiences, cello-related tips, and practicing demos.Instagram: @thecellodoll, https://www.instagram.com/thecellodoll/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCelloDoll?sub_confirmation=1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecellodoll/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheCelloDollWebsite: https://www.carolynregula.com/

On this episode, Bailey interviews Taylor Morris. Hailed by a 2nd grade classroom as “wreely nice and kind” and “the coolest man on erth,” Taylor Morris enjoys blurring the lines between violin and fiddle. Eagerly collaborating across genres, he has performed in 48 states and 13 countries as a soloist, as an alumnus of Barrage, with duo partner Tricia Park, or with chamber-folk string sextet The Sound Accord. Offstage, Taylor obtained a master's in education from Harvard University and teaches nationally as a guest educator and clinician. He co-founded/co-directs the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, runs a summer camp for young musicians called StringPlay, serves as a Guest Lecturer at Arizona State University, and maintains an active private studio of young musicians. Taylor and Bailey cover several topics including: what he prioritizes in folk pedagogy for his own students, how to engage and elevate learning in the ensemble classroom, and why fiddling actually helps the majority of classical string players. Taylor's website: www.taylormorrismusic.comBarrage: www.barrage.org

Welcome to the first episode of "Dismantling Dissonance," a podcast where we will disrupt the status quo for 21st century musicianship. In this first episode, there's a short intro of your host, Bailey and she also tackles some of the questions she first got when she started floating the idea of starting a podcast. (Why this topic? Why should I listen? What if I disagree with what you have to say?) We will have the opportunity to pick the brains of some of the most forward-thinking people in music performance and education. So excited you're here!Want to stay up to date? Follow Bailey on Instagram (@dismantlingdissonance) and visit her website http://www.baileypoesnecker.com