Keeping Cup with Ariana

Happy Holidays! Today's episode features Marisa Ishikawa, 2nd violinist of the Carpe Diem String Quartet. She and Ariana chat about quartet life, traveling, the steps they take to be able to make music together in the midst of the pandemic, and the innovative projects their group has in the works. Here's where you can find Marisa's website, and make sure to check out the Carpe Diem String Quartet, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to their Youtube channel! ~Musical selection is the Christmas Song, arr. by Korine Fujiwara~ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Episode 17 features musician power couple Gabrielle and Tommy Glass! Gabi (viola) and Tommy (baritone) share the story of their relationship, and how they navigate the ups and downs. They talk about what it's like to have two professional musicians in a relationship - the advantages and the difficulties! We also discuss the challenges of being freelance musicians in the current climate, and Sgt. Pepper Glass makes a special guest appearance. Learn more about Polaris! Also follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news and announcements of their projects. Check out Tommy Glass's website. Find Gabrielle and Tommy on Instagram, and their dog Sgt. Pepper for some great canine content. Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

On this mini episode, Ariana gets vulnerable and opens up about the challenges facing her and many others during this time. She shares about her struggles with motivation, comparison, and adjusting expectations. She also shares some ways that she's been dealing with these issues, like learning to adapt and having self-compassion. If this resonates with you, feel free to get in touch to share what you're going through and how you've been tackling your obstacles! Check out the Carpe Diem String Quartet, follow them on Instagram and subscribe to their Youtube channel. The closing tune is called "High Jig," taught to Ariana and Michael by Lily Honigberg and McKinley James from Folkway Workshop! Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Today's guests are musician sisters Maya and Hana Cohon! Originally from Seattle, Washington, Maya (violin) and Hana (cello) both are classically trained professional musicians - but recently have been trying their hand at some other genres of music. They've been learning fiddle tunes from all over the world by ear, and starting to get more gutsy with improvisation. They talk about the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, and how that helps us continue to grow and evolve in whatever field we are in. This episode features some recordings of a special new group that has recently been formed - listen up! Find out more about the Folkway Workshops, where the Cohons have been learning some fun tunes. Follow @mayacohon, @hcohon, and their sweet dogs Kina and Aki on Instagram. Check out their new band with Ariana, the Pacific Crest Trio! Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Violinist Genevieve Smelser joins the podcast today to share her tips and tricks to live a less wasteful and more eco-friendly lifestyle. Listen closely and take notes! She spills some of her favorite recipes for homemade skincare and cleaning products. Genevieve studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Rice University, and is now a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. You'll get to hear Genevieve in a performance of an iconic Brahms chamber music work...with unique instrumentation! Click on the links to learn more about these sustainable organizations: KeepCup, EarthHero, Package Free Shop. Remember to do your part and vote in the upcoming election. That's the best thing you can do for the environment right now! And let us know if you try any of Genevieve's DIY ideas. Follow Genevieve on Instagram at @c_est_la_vieve, and stay tuned for her website. Learn more about the Fever Candlelight concert series that Genevieve performs on. Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

In the second installment of the Mystery Moment series, the tables have turned as her mom Karen plays host and asks Ariana about her yoga practice. Ariana shares a recording of her recent performance of the solo cello piece, "in manus tuas" by Caroline Shaw. Check out the Houston-based new music ensemble, Loop38. Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Welcome back friends, it's been a hot minute! Today's guest is Roger Nelson, who pretty much does anything and everything musical. He's a pianist, composer, conductor, singer, and teacher to name a few...and he's my dad! In this episode he shares about his career teaching at Cornish College of the Arts, as well as many of his other musical endeavors. He's also a man of the earth- he loves biking, gardening, and composting, in true Seattle fashion. The tunes featured in this episode were composed by Roger, and are entitled "Frosty Morn" (waltz) and "Evan and Gina" (jig). Other musicians on the recording are Karen Iglitzin, violin, and Ariana (myself), cello. To inquire about and purchase the albums, email Roger at rnelson@cornish.edu Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

In this episode, Ariana answers some questions from listeners. Tune in to learn a little bit more about cello, time management, as well as some insider info about the title of the podcast! Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

French horn player Spencer Park joins Ariana to talk about the importance and rewards of physical fitness, mindfulness, and setting goals. You'll also get to hear Spencer's heartfelt tone when he reveals a performance of one of most beautiful horn solos in the classical repertoire, from Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. Spencer invited a few friends from all different corners of the country to collaborate- he knitted it together for the final product. The other musicians in the recording are Natalie Gaynor, violin; Karen Iglitzin, viola; Ariana Nelson, cello; Michael Marks, bass; Mayu Isom, oboe; Sean Krissman, clarinet. Spencer is based in Houston, TX where he is a member of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet orchestras. He studied at BYU and Rice University. Spencer has also created a special practice app for brass players, called Quality Tones. If you're a brass player, or even if you're not, check it out! Find him on Instagram @spencer.w.park Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Join Ariana and her colleagues for a quick candid chat about two of the most famous string chamber music pieces in the classical repertoire. These musicians have been playing chamber music (socially distanced and masked up!) at a farm in Washington state as part of the Concerts in the Barn Music festival. Their final concert will feature the Schubert Cello Quintet and the Brahms G Major String Sextet. Full program is listed below! In the Schubert chat you'll hear from Ariana, Korine, and Walter. The other three discussing the Brahms are Charles, Elisa, and Rachel. Make sure to catch the final performance of Concerts in the Barn, live streamed on Sunday July 26, at 2 pm Pacific Time. Learn more and find the video on the Concerts in the Barn website. (Video can be accessed after the live stream as well.) Program for Sunday's concert: “Romance is Always in Style” Chas Wetherbee, violin Elisa Barston, violin Korine Fujiwara, viola Rachel Swerdlow, viola Walter Gray, cello Ariana Nelson, cello An unabashed tribute to romanticism by two of our greatest composers of the genre. Cello Quintet in C major, D. 956 Franz Schubert String Sextet in G major, Op. 36 Johannes Brahms Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Ariana is joined in this episode by her good friend and former studio-mate, cellist Francesca McNeeley. Francesca took an unusual path towards becoming a professional musician, having first studied politics at Princeton. She now lives in Boston, where she leads a varied musical life involving performing and teaching. She particularly enjoys playing contemporary music, and talks about how she got interested in it, and the reasons why she is drawn to it. Francesca and Ariana also talk about navigating the tough nuances in today's climate. They discuss the call-out culture of social media, regarding racist allegations in the classical music world. Francesca gives her perspective on how there has to be accountability, not just "canceling," in order for real progress to be made. You can find more about Francesca and the group Castle of Our Skins (which celebrates Black artistry through music) here. Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana Support this podcast here! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Today's episode is a little different - an impromptu mother/daughter chat in Seattle, Washington. Violinist and chamber music guru Karen Iglitzin (AKA Ariana's mom) talks about what it was like to be the first violinist of the Philadelphia String Quartet, playing 80 concerts a year and traveling the world. Karen also founded a chamber music program in 2000 called Chamber Music Madness, and led it through 2011. That name pretty much sums up her life. How 'bout some Hungarian music? Listen up to hear the mother/daughter team perform from their living room. Learn more about Karen at her website kareniglitzin.com Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana Support this podcast here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

NYC based composer Paul Frucht joins the podcast this week! Paul talks about his latest composition project, "A More Perfect Union," which features text from Barack Obama's speeches. He and Ariana discuss the Charles Ives Music Festival, which is a chamber music concert series and camp that Paul founded. They also discuss what a composer and artistic director’s role is in promoting the works of BIPOC composers and artists going forward. Former roommates in the city, Paul and Ariana reminisce on fun and weird times they've shared in the apartment. The excerpts from Paul's piece are from a video filmed by Zach Bell, produced by Yuga Cohler, and performed by bass-baritone Kenneth Kellogg and pianist Kevin Korth. Find Paul’s music and more information at paulfruchtmusic.com and learn more about the Charles Ives Music Festival at https://charlesivesmusicfestival.org/ Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

This week, Ariana (virtually) sits down with her friend Mayu Isom. Mayu plays oboe in the Houston Grand Opera and Ballet Orchestras. Finally, a non-string player! She loves to cook and bake - when she's not making reeds of course. We'll hear about her adorable cat Gnocchi, her new herb garden, recent baking projects, and what she's been listening to these days. If you're lucky, you might even get to hear the dulcet tones of an English Horn... Here's where you can find Mayu @lanamayu_ and her cat Gnocchi @gnocchi_the_tortie on Instagram. Check out her website mayuisom.wixsite.com/oboe Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Violinist Natalie Gaynor joins the podcast to talk about her side hustle! Natalie is the principal second violinist of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet orchestras. Besides being a successful performer and teacher in the Houston area, Natalie is also a very talented photographer, and is well known in the musical community for taking beautiful headshots. Natalie and Ariana have known each other since their sophomore year at Rice University. They discuss how having a hobby or side job can add fulfillment and variety to one's life - if there's something you want to start, go for it, people! This episode is the first (of many to come) to feature performances by the guest, and even your host. Natalie and Ariana will be performing for you...listen up for some fiddly fun! Find Natalie and her photography on Instagram at @nataro0o and @shotbynataro0o, and on her website www.nataliegaynor.com Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Double bassist Michael Marks joins Ariana today to talk about all things orchestra auditions! Michael studied at the Colburn School and at Rice University, and won his first orchestral audition when he was just 19. Since then he has taken many more auditions, and recently won a BIG one. Michael shares his biggest takeaways from his auditions, and who has inspired him. He and Ariana discuss the importance of being kind and encouraging to yourself through the process. Get your notebook out for some hot tips! ATTN BASS PLAYERS: Michael forgot to mention that he did in fact change his strings before his National Symphony Audition, to FLEXOCOR DELUXES. This is very important info :) Find Michael on Instagram @michaelmarksthespot Thanks for listening! Hit subscribe so you get notified when new episodes are uploaded. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

It's not every day that one gets to chat with someone so smart and talented...unless he’s your best friend. Jacob Shack discusses his unique trajectory of studying religion at Harvard, and then deciding to pursue a graduate degree in music at Juilliard. And now he's a tenured member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. He talks about the challenges he faced as well as the amazing opportunities he's had. Ariana and Jacob reminisce and cackle (as per usual) about some fun (and unfun) aspects of life at Juilliard! Find Jacob on Instagram @jacobrshack Check out the Baltimore Symphony www.bsomusic.org Thanks for listening! Hit subscribe so you get notified when new episodes are uploaded. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Ariana is joined by her friend, violist Molly Goldman, who is a performer and teacher in New York City. She has been very successful navigating the gig scene in the city, something that is not easy to accomplish. She recently went on a 6 month tour around the country performing on the Broadway show, Miss Saigon. Molly shares some crazy stories about what happens behind the scenes on tour, and the challenges of being on the road for so long. Find Molly on Instagram @mollygoldman Thanks for listening! Hit subscribe so you get notified when new episodes are uploaded. Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support

Ariana introduces herself and gives listeners a sneak peak of what to expect from upcoming episodes and fun interviews - audition success (and failure), what it means to be a chamber music guru, having a side hustle, being a touring musician, what it’s *really* like to attend Juilliard, and everything in between. Be sure to stay tuned! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ariana-nelson/support