Podcasts about Westminster Choir College

Have you ever wondered if your love for music and voice could turn into a thriving private practice? Today's guest shows us it's possible—and how to do it while keeping flexibility and control over your life.Joining me is Rachel Goldenberg, a speech-language pathologist, clinical voice specialist, and singing teacher based in Montclair, New Jersey. Rachel's private practice, My Inspired Voice, combines her passion for singing with her expertise in voice therapy, helping clients with everything from vocal health to respiratory challenges.In this episode, Rachel shares her journey from opera-obsessed child to clinical voice expert, how she built a private practice that fits her family and lifestyle, and her tips for anyone ready to take the leap into private practice.Rachel's love for music started early. She began piano lessons at 7 and memorized operas like Carmen and Tosca by age 12, performing them dramatically in her living room. She went on to study at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she fell in love with the science of the voice, learning from pioneers in vocal pedagogy.Her career took her through teaching, research on singing and respiratory health, and work with clients with lung disease in Canada. Along the way, she realized that to help clients fully, she needed to expand her skills, which led her to pursue speech-language pathology. Now, her dissertation focused on the use of singing lessons as an adjunctive airway clearance technique for adult cystic fibrosis patients.Through all these experiences, Rachel's passion for voice never wavered—but she also learned the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and following the right opportunities when they appear.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How her passion for singing led her into voice therapyWhat it was like to return to grad school during COVIDHow she built her private practice and referral networkWhy flexibility has been essential for her familyWith her practice, Rachel has full control over her schedule, enabling her to see clients during traditional hours, early mornings, or late evenings, while still making time for her children and other priorities. Her story is a perfect example of how passion, expertise, and a willingness to take the leap can create a private practice that's both fulfilling and flexible. Whether you're interested in voice, pediatrics, or another specialty, her journey shows that with the right mindset, mentorship, and action, you can build a practice that fits your life and allows you to thrive both professionally and personally.Ready to take control of your career and start your own private practice—just like Rachel did? The Start Your Private Practice Program gives you the roadmap, resources, and support to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.Whether you're just starting or ready to grow, I can help you create a practice that gives you freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. Visit www.IndependentClinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned:Follow Rachel on Instagram: instagram.com/myinspiredvoiceslp/Check out her website:

Today, we take a look at challenges that humanities precepts are facing, the annual Scholars Institute Fellows Program First-Gen week, and the town council's response to development plans for the Westminster Choir College campus.

As Christians, we are called to serve. It's more than just ticking a box or attending an event; it's woven into who we are—truly part of our very nature. At least, it should be. Toni Campbell's book, "Jesus Has Left the Building," offers not only a dozen inspiring and practical ways to spread the love of Christ into our communities, both now and in the future, but also includes detailed step-by-step guidance on how to make it happen. Toni shares personal stories about how these ideas took shape, openly discusses the mistakes along the way, and celebrates the lives impacted, all while providing helpful details such as timelines, required tools, volunteer needs, estimated costs, and resources to consider. This isn't just a book full of ideas; it's a toolkit and an inspiring guide for action. Growing up, Toni loved singing, writing, and acting. She studied voice at Westminster Choir College and music at Rider University, dreaming of a career in performance. However, after two semesters, she married and took a job that eventually led her to a 20-year career in Human Resources—working for a school district, a publisher, and ultimately, a pharmaceutical company. When that company closed its doors in 2002, Toni decided to go back to school and took Communication courses. She quickly fell in love with radio, and thanks to a professor's encouragement to try commercial writing, she interned at a local radio station. Just a few months later, she started a new chapter in their Creative Services department, where she spent 12 wonderful years — first as a Copywriter and later as a Creative Services Director — creating, voicing, and producing commercials for five stations. During this time, she also enjoyed teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the same college where she earned her Radio degree, teaching Writing for Radio/TV and Intro to Radio for five years.  This is Toni's second visit with Sue Duffield on the Suebiquitous Podcast. ,  "Let God Do What God Does Best" - Toni Campbell. www.tonicampbell.org

Today on Daybreak, we explore the legal situation surrounding Westminster Choir College, the refusal to drop charges against pro-Palestine protesters, and Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris---https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/section/news

Local government in Princetown, New Jersey is looking to take over the land once home to a world renowned choral educational institution, the Westminster Choir College. Plus, WNYC's Sean Carlson talks with Michael Bellia, president of the Fordham University College Republicans, and New York City Councilman Chi Osse about the issues important to Gen Z voters ahead of Tuesday's presidential debate.

 Today, we cover lawnparties, Princeton's town council's plan to buy Westminster Choir College's property, and new information regarding the shooting at a Georgia high school last week. ###https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/section/news

“I have fallen deeply in love with looking at a piece, seeing what it is, and realizing that there are no real absolutes in music. There are no rules. You have to look at each piece of music for what it is and consider it in its historical and cultural context and then find out enough about the composer. It feels like a journey, a rabbit hole that go down.”Dr. Elizabeth Schauer serves as Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arizona, where she is in her twentieth year of teaching. An award-winning educator, Dr. Schauer directs the Symphonic Choir and teaches graduate courses in conducting and choral literature. In addition, she served as Chancel Choir director at St. Mark's United Methodist Church. She came to the University of Arizona following ten years as Director of Choral Activities at Adams State College in Colorado.  Dr. Schauer is in demand as an adjudicator, clinician, presenter and guest conductor throughout the United States, including recently for performances at Carnegie Hall and with Georgia, Connecticut and New Mexico All-State Choirs.  Choirs under her direction have been selected by audition and invited to perform on local, state and regional conferences of American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, College Music Society, and American Guild of Organists.  In addition her choirs have been featured on the ACDA National YouTube Channel and the Community Concert Series of KUAT-FM Classical Radio, and are regularly invited to collaborate, notably with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Arizona Symphony and the UA Wind Ensemble. She has presented sessions at the national conventions of American Choral Directors Association, Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and College Music Society; regional conferences of ACDA, and state conferences of ACDA and National Association for Music Education. Dr. Schauer holds degrees from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Westminster Choir College, and University of Michigan.To get in touch with Betsy, you can find her on Facebook: @betsy.schauer.9. You can find more about the University of Arizona choral program on Facebook (@uarizonachoirs) or Instagram (@uarizonachoirs) or visit their website: choral.music.arizona.edu, where you can find their Distinguished Speakers Series and discover more information about the DEI Choral Literature Intensive.Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 3 episode from February 16, 2024, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Send us a Text Message.I am so grateful to the writer and musician, music historian and public musicologist , Sarah Fritz, for joining us on today's episode of "Inside the Taubman Approach." I am also so grateful for amazing women like Clara Schumann who blazed the trail for us all in music. I see so many parallels in the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman and Edna Golandsky. These women have sacrificed so much in bringing this body of knowledge to us for our benefit. They have pressed on despite criticism and even opposition. Friends - we want you to be involved in the Golandsky Institute. Come and join us. Sign-up on our website today. www.golandskyinstitute.org.  Sarah brings to us so many insights into the pianistic world of the 19th century through the experience of Clara Schumann. We even get into hand and arm treatments in the 19th century that include milk and animal carcasses. Stick around for that incredible story.  Sarah Fritz is a writer and musician, music historian and public musicologist specializing in the composer Clara Wieck-Schumann. Her passionate advocacy for marginalized composers on social media seeks to change the dialogue around classical music, challenging the misbelief that all great composers in history were cis white men. She's an in-demand guest speaker and lecturer, most recently at the Philadelphia Orchestra's pre-concert talks, WWFM The Classical Network, Northeastern University, and the launch of the Cambridge University Press's Clara Schumann Studies. In 2024, she will appear in the new documentary Mozart's Sister from Media Stockade.Sarah has written about Clara Schumann for numerous publications including the New York Times and VAN Magazine. Her popular (formerly known as) Twitter account is dedicated to telling truths and debunking myths around the infamous Madame Schumann. With overlooked research and a modern feminist lens, she places Clara's life and music within the context of popular history. Her fresh perspective on Clara's correspondence challenges traditional narratives around the composer's personal and professional relationships with her husband Robert and her “beloved friend” Johannes Brahms.Sarah is the founder of the Clara Schumann Channel blog, newsletter, and YouTube Channel. Her platform is studied in public musicology courses, and her articles are quoted in program notes and academic publications. She holds an M.M. from the Eastman School of Music and a B.M. from Westminster Choir College and also teaches on the faculty of the The Golandsky Institute's mission is to provide cutting-edge instruction to pianists based on the groundbreaking work of Dorothy Taubman. This knowledge can help them overcome technical and musical challenges, cure and prevent playing-related injuries, and lead them to achieve their highest level of artistic excellence.Please visit our website at: www.golandskyinstitute.org.

Big Machine Music general manager (and Laura's publisher) Mike Molinar joins the podcast to talk about his philosophy on songwriter-publisher relationships. Mike shares his advice to young songwriters, the nitty-gritty of publishing deals, and how understanding the structure of those deals is the vital to your success. Mike Molinar brings over twenty-five years of experience as a music publisher and advocate for creatives to lead the publishing vertical of HYBE America and the sister company of the Big Machine Label Group. Molinar, who was named one of Billboard's Country Power Players each of the last three years (‘20-‘22), oversees all aspects of BMM which was named 2021 Publisher of the Year by the Association of Independent Music Publishers Nashville. BMM has been ranked as a Billboard Top 10 Hot Country Publishing Corp for six years running. With offices in Nashville and Santa Monica, BMM's roster includes the 2023 nominee for the inaugural Grammy Songwriter of the Year (non-classical) Laura Veltz, as well as hitmakers Jessie Jo Dillon, Geoff Warburton, Ryan Hurd, Matt Dragstrem, Sara Davis, Eric Paslay, Brett Young and Maddie & Tae, among others. The catalog features such global hits as “abcdefu”, “The Bones”, “10,000 Hours,” “In Case You Didn't Know” and 11 #1 hits co-written and recorded by Luke Combs. Molinar was named one of the 2021 Nashville cohorts for Harvard Business School's Young American Leaders Program. He is currently serving his 2nd term on the board of the National Music Publisher Association as well as a member of the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) board. He also serves as a board member for the Academy of Country Music, Music Health Alliance and sits the Country Music Hall Of Fame Education Council. Molinar was named a Rider Scholar while attending Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1998 where he was inducted into the College of Media and Entertainment's Wall of Fame in 2021. He is a graduate of Leadership Music (2015) and a member of the CMA, ACM, AIMP and Recording Academy. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Molinar is a second generation immigrant of Mexican descent. He and his wife, Amanda, are proud parents of two young boys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I started to see the possibilities of what a youth community choir could be. Seeing that profound impact on a young woman was very transformative for me. After two or three years, everything that I did had more layers. There was a new potential of enhancement and community impact. The things that make me go like a volcano are about community, access to programs, and how to break barriers for participation.”Dr. Marcela Molina has been leading the Tucson Girls Chorus since 2006, first serving as Artistic Director and taking the helm as Executive Director in 2011. Under Dr. Molina's guidance, the Tucson Girls Chorus has grown significantly in programming and community engagement. With her leadership, the TGC has transformed into a vibrant and collaborative organization that creates access to inclusive programming for youth, and provides resources to music educators and support to their classrooms all year-round. Dr. Molina is also the Director of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus.Dr. Molina was an honoree in Tucson's 40 under 40 for her significant achievements and contributions in her profession and community and was one of eight in the state of Arizona chosen for Cox Hispanic Heritage Month. She was selected as a finalist for the Woman of Influence Awards in the category Arts and Culture Champion and under Molina's leadership, the Tucson Girls Chorus was awarded the 2017 Copper Cactus award for Charitable Business sponsored by the Tucson Metro Chamber. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Dr. Marcela Molina holds degrees from Westminster Choir College and the University of Arizona. She has contributed articles to Antiphon, and the books Teaching through Performance in Choir, Volume 2 and Choral Reflections: Insights from American Choral Conductor-Teachers. She was named 2019 Choral Director of the Year by Arizona American Choral Directors Association (AzACDA), and she often serves as a clinician and guest conductor for choral festivals. Dr. Molina has served on the board of the AzACDA as well as standing committees for ACDA Western Division. She currently serves on the board of Chorus America.To get in touch with Marcela, you can email her at mmolina@tucsongirlschorus.org or visit tucsongirlschorus.org. She's also on Facebook (@marcela.molina.1612147) and Instagram (@molinamarch). Marcela recommends checking out the following composers: Colombian arranger Jorge Alejandro Salazar, Puerto Rican composer Diana Saez, and Melanie DeMore. About DeMore, Marcela writes, "I love unison singing to build tone and use it as a canvas of creative added writing, if composer allows."Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 3 episode from February 16, 2024, to hear how to share your story with us.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

Ronald A. Matthews joined Eastern University in 1992 and was appointed the 10th President of Eastern University effective March 1, 2018. Prior to this call, Dr. Matthews served as Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Department, and since 2010, Executive Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Division. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dr. Matthews graduated from Central High School. Having received a Philadelphia Board of Education music scholarship, he did his undergraduate work in Church Music and Organ at Westminster Choir College where he graduated magna cum laude and received both the Senior Class Conducting Award and the Christian Leadership Award. Dr. Matthews received the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University, during which time he was invited to conduct the Jerusalem Chamber Orchestra for a recording project in Tel Aviv. At the age of 23, Dr. Matthews was invited to join the faculty of Nyack College as the Director of Choral Activities. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Combs College of Music in Composition with an emphasis in Orchestral Conducting. From 1982-1992, Dr. Matthews was the Chair of the Department of Music at what is now Cairn University. For several years, he was a Thomas F. Staley Foundation lecturer/artist and served on professional and denominational boards and task forces. From 2005 until 2018, he was the Pastor of Worship Arts at Church of the Saviour in Wayne, PA. Dr. Matthews has conducted, recorded, and performed in France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Switzerland and the Vatican. He is a commissioned and published composer. He has performed and recorded regularly with his younger brother, Rev. Dr. Gary Matthews, in concerts and workshops throughout the United States and internationally. His older brother, Dr. John T. Matthews, is Professor of English at Boston University. Dr. Matthews' most recent release is a jazz piano Christmas recording, Holly and Ivory. Dr. Matthews is married to Pamela R. Matthews, who was raised in Oreland, PA and graduated from Springfield High School. She graduated from Chestnut Hill Hospital's School of Radiologic Technology. Mrs. Matthews is a registered Ultrasonographer and received her training in Ultrasonography from Jefferson University and Chestnut Hill Hospital. For over thirty years she worked in Obstetrics and Gynecology with Abington Hospital - Jefferson Health until 2017. She served as the President of the Home and School Association for the Upper Moreland Round Meadow Elementary School during which she raised funds for new playground equipment. For the Middle School, she organized a campaign resulting in the purchase of a new grand piano for the music program. Mrs. Matthews is an avid tennis player and is also interested in charitable and mission work. She has organized fundraising projects for Haiti and the Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, NC, and she has traveled to Cartagena, Colombia on a sports mission trip. Dr. and Mrs. Matthews have two adult sons.  

In this episode, Dr. Patrick Cooper talks about what it means to bring hip-hop into the music classroom. He discusses specific lessons or units he's used with his students, practical ways you can implement hip-hop lessons with even the youngest of students, and talks about new and exciting ideas you'll definitely want to try. Dr. Patrick K. Cooper is an assistant professor of music education at Florida International University. He teaches courses in research, curriculum development, philosophy, and creativity. He holds degrees in music education from Arizona State University (B.M., M.M.) and University of South Florida (Ph.D.). Winner of the 2015 Outstanding Emerging Researcher Award from the Center for Music Education Research, his research interests capture the intersection of creativity, inclusion, and performance. His publications can be found in academic journals such as Psychology of Music and International Journal of Music Education as well as practitioner texts such as The Music Technology Cookbook and The Learner-Centered Music Classroom. His book Broadcast to Podcast: Lessons from Radio for an Online Music Education is available through F-Flat Books. Dr. Cooper has presented internationally, nationally, and locally at conferences such as NeuroMusic, Society for Music Perception and Cognition, International Society for Music Education, Society for Music Teacher Education, and the National Association for Music Education Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. He has given workshops and lectures as an invited speaker at several universities including University of Southern California, Arizona State University, Illinois State University, and Westminster Choir College. As a musician, he has performed extensively as a double bassist, synthesizer player, and hip-hop artist. Prior to his appointment at Florida International University, he held adjunct positions with Eastern Illinois University and The Crane School of Music at SUNY-Potsdam, was a Presidential Doctoral Fellow at University of South Florida, and taught in public schools and community centers in St. Petersburg, FL and the metro Phoenix area. Connect with Patrick here: Email him at pcooper@fiu.edu Hip-Hop course on LEARN at F-Flat Books Broadcasting book at F-Flat Books Enroll in the Curriculum Design Roadmap Course Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thedomesticmusician/message

B.E. (Brittney Elizabeth) Boykin is a native of Alexandria, Virginia, and comes from a musical family. At the age of 7, she began piano lessons and continued her studies through high school under the tutelage of Mrs. Alma Sanford. Mrs. Sanford guided her through various competitions, such as the NAACP's ACT-SO competition where she garnered 1st place for 3 consecutive years in the local competition, as well as being awarded The Washington Post “Music and Dance Award” in the spring of 2007.Boykin then pursued her classical piano studies at Spelman College under the leadership of Dr. Rachel Chung. After graduating Spelman College in 2011 with a B.A. in Music, Boykin continued her studies at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. During her time at Westminster, she was awarded the R and R Young Composition Prize just a few months shy of graduating with her M.M. in Sacred Music with a concentration in choral studies in May, 2013.Boykin's choral piece, “We Sing as One,” was commissioned to celebrate Spelman College's 133rd Anniversary of its founding at the 2014 Founders Day Convocation. She has also been featured as the conductor/composer-in-residence for the 2017 Harry T. Burleigh Commemorative Spiritual Festival at Tennessee State University. Boykin has been commissioned and collaborated with several organizations, including a number of ACDA divisions, the Minnesota Opera and the Kennedy Center. She obtained her Ph.D. from Georgia State University with an emphasis in Music Education and is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at the Georgia Institute of Technology.To get in touch with Brittney, you can find her on Instagram (@_klavia) or Facebook (@klaviapress). You can also visit her websites, klaviapress.com and beboykin.com.Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 2 episode from May 22, 2023, to hear how to share your story with us. Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace HudsonExcerpt from "Stardust" by B.E. Boykin, performed by the WSU Treble Choir, Matthew Myers, conductor. Available from Graphite Publishing: https://graphitepublishing.com/product/stardust/

"Every time on stage when we connect with the choral music and I see the students moved or touched by choral music, that's the moment I fall in love with choral music. The love of choral music is affirmed again and again by the connection you make with these humans and the music."Xiaosha Lin is currently assistant professor and director of choral activities at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Prior to her appointment at Whitworth, she served as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Toledo and Assistant Conductor at Hong Kong Baptist University.Known as a dynamic conductor with her engaging rehearsal approach and expressive conducting, Lin was selected as a conducting fellow in several prestigious programs where she worked with Simon Carrington, Edith Copley, David Hayes, and Lucinda Carver. She was one of the semi-finalists in the national ACDA Graduate Student Conducting Competition in Kansas City, MO. As a chorister, she has performed regularly at the Kimmel Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center under the batons of Yannick Nézet Séguin, Alan Gilbert, Simon Rattle, and Jane Glover. Lin is a sought-after conductor, adjudicator, and choral clinician in both the U.S. and China, where she was invited to workshops and clinics for all levels of choirs. She has frequently adjudicated in middle and high school choral festivals in Pacific Northwest and Midwest regions. Lin's international background makes her an open-minded, sensitive, and well-rounded musician and educator. She is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community through choral music. She recently received the Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award for the 2022-2023 academic year at Whitworth University and currently serves as a member of the Diversity Initiative Committee at WA-ACDA.Lin received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at Michigan State University, Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Westminster Choir College, Master of Arts in Music at Hong Kong Baptist University (Hong Kong), and Bachelor of Music Education at Xinghai Conservatory of Music (China).   To get in touch with Xiaosha, you can find her on Instagram (@xiaosha_lin) or email her at xlin@whitworth.edu. Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro Part 2 episode from May 22, 2023, to hear how to share your story with us. Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace HudsonPracticing Connection: Working together to help families and communities thrive.Jessica Beckendorf and Bob Bertsch host this exploration of personal and collective...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Teaching While Queer PodcastTeaching While Queer Podcast is a space for LGBTQIA+ educators, administrators, and...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Big Machine Music general manager (and Laura's publisher) Mike Molinar joins the podcast to talk about his philosophy on songwriter-publisher relationships. Mike shares his advice to young songwriters, the nitty-gritty of publishing deals, and how understanding the structure of those deals is the vital to your success. Mike Molinar brings over twenty-five years of experience as a music publisher and advocate for creatives to lead the publishing vertical of HYBE America and the sister company of the Big Machine Label Group. Molinar, who was named one of Billboard's Country Power Players each of the last three years (‘20-‘22), oversees all aspects of BMM which was named 2021 Publisher of the Year by the Association of Independent Music Publishers Nashville. BMM has been ranked as a Billboard Top 10 Hot Country Publishing Corp for six years running. With offices in Nashville and Santa Monica, BMM's roster includes the 2023 nominee for the inaugural Grammy Songwriter of the Year (non-classical) Laura Veltz, as well as hitmakers Jessie Jo Dillon, Geoff Warburton, Ryan Hurd, Matt Dragstrem, Sara Davis, Eric Paslay, Brett Young and Maddie & Tae, among others. The catalog features such global hits as “abcdefu”, “The Bones”, “10,000 Hours,” “In Case You Didn't Know” and 11 #1 hits co-written and recorded by Luke Combs. Molinar was named one of the 2021 Nashville cohorts for Harvard Business School's Young American Leaders Program. He is currently serving his 2nd term on the board of the National Music Publisher Association as well as a member of the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) board. He also serves as a board member for the Academy of Country Music, Music Health Alliance and sits the Country Music Hall Of Fame Education Council. Molinar was named a Rider Scholar while attending Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1998 where he was inducted into the College of Media and Entertainment's Wall of Fame in 2021. He is a graduate of Leadership Music (2015) and a member of the CMA, ACM, AIMP and Recording Academy. Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Molinar is a second generation immigrant of Mexican descent. He and his wife, Amanda, are proud parents of two young boys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I try to be flexible with the way I write for people. For me it's a service when I get commissions, so I want to be able to serve the community that I'm working with in the same way that I would tailor a lesson to my classes depending on what the students need. I would do the same for what an organization needs with composition." Conductor/Composer/Producer Anthony J. Maglione is a graduate of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, East Carolina University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the Director of Choral Studies and holds the Robert H. McKee Chair of Music at William Jewell College. Under his direction, the Concert Choir was twice named Runner Up (2nd Place) for the American Prize in Choral Performance, College/University Division. In addition to his responsibilities at William Jewell College, he serves as Director of Music and Choir Master at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Conductor Emeritus of the Freelance Ensemble Artists of NJ Symphony Orchestra, and has served on the summer faculty of Westminster Choir College since 2011. Anthony also serves as the conducting teacher for Artefact Institute.An active composer, Anthony's choral works are growing in popularity and are published on GIA's “Evoking Sound” choral series. In the last several years his music has appeared at state and national-level conventions, on TV, in video games, and has been recorded on Gothic Records, Albany Records, and Centaur Records. Anthony's cantata "The Wedding of Solomon" premiered at the 2018 American Guild of Organists National Convention. In 2019, his work "On Life" was premiered by the Miami University Men's Glee Club at the National ACDA Conference. In early 2020, Verdigris Ensemble premiered his extended dramatic work "Dust Bowl" as part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center's Elevator Project in Dallas, TX. He is currently slated for several more premieres throughout the United States during the remainder of 2023.As a producer, Anthony lends his ears to recording projects around the country and recently received national attention through his production work with Sam Brukhman and Veridigris Ensemble on "Betty's Notebook" by Nicholas Reeves.As a tenor, Anthony has appeared with many ensembles and currently performs and records with The Same Stream, the GRAMMY-nominated St. Tikhon Choir, and made his debut with Portland-based Capella Romana on the 2021-2022 season.A sought after clinician, Anthony teaches workshops regularly and has conducted All-State and honor choirs throughout the US.You can learn more about Anthony at his website: https://anthonymaglione.com/ .Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro episode from September 16, 2022, to hear how to share your story with us. Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson from Pexels

BRAND NEW MUSIC - "FEEL GOOD" SAMAR NEWSOMEis a soulful vocalist, fusion keyboardist, and diverse producer from Newark, New Jersey. Studying formally at Westminster Choir College and growing up with local recording artists and church musicians in the city of Newark, Samar was guided musically under diverse tutelage. He currently serves as the music director at Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY where he has worked closely with gospel icons like Bebe Winans, Israel Houghton and Darwin Hobbs to name a few.

BRAND NEW MUSIC - "FEEL GOOD" SAMAR NEWSOMEis a soulful vocalist, fusion keyboardist, and diverse producer from Newark, New Jersey. Studying formally at Westminster Choir College and growing up with local recording artists and church musicians in the city of Newark, Samar was guided musically under diverse tutelage. He currently serves as the music director at Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, NY where he has worked closely with gospel icons like Bebe Winans, Israel Houghton and Darwin Hobbs to name a few.

In this episode of JM International's ‘The Power of Music', we will talk about music and community. Prof. Lee Higgins is the director of the International Centre of Community Music based at York St John University and & Dr. Sarah-Jane Gibson leads the Ethno on the Road research. They will talk about their research into Ethno, one of JMI's music programs. We will discuss the state of music in academia, the ‘magic' of Ethno, and - of course - the power of music. JMI is a global network of NGOs that empowers young people through music across all boundaryies. For more info go to www.jmi.net or check out all the amazing opportunities for musicians at www.mubazar.com.   ---------Professor Lee Higgins is the Director of the International Centre of Community Music based at York St John University, UK. He has held previously positions at Boston University, USA, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, UK and the University of Limerick, Ireland. Lee has been a visiting professor at Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany and Westminster Choir College, Princeton, USA. He received his PhD from the Irish Academy of Music and Dance, Ireland and is the President of International Society of Music Education (2016-2018). As a community musician he has worked across the education sector as well as within health settings, prison and probation service, youth and community, adult education, and arts organizations such as orchestras and dance. As a presenter and guest speaker, Lee has worked on four continents in university, school, and NGO settings. He is the senior editor for the International Journal of Community Music and was author of Community Music: In Theory and in Practice (2012, Oxford University Press) and co-editor of The Oxford Handbook of Community Music (2017). Sarah-Jane graduated with her PhD in Ethnomusicology from Queen's University in 2018. Her thesis focused on how identity is constructed through singing in a community choir, and if this influences broader identity formations, with a focus on Northern Ireland. Her research focuses on community and identity formation through engagement in musical practice. She has an extensive background in music education, having taught a wide range of ages and abilities in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Since completing her PhD she has been teaching at Queen's University, Belfast tutoring a variety of anthropology and music courses and conducting the University Chamber Choir. Currently, she also lectures at York St John University and runs a folk music ensemble. 

Matty (@teague.miller) and Kikau (@kikautown) speak to the amazing Van Angelo, who is currently at San Diego State University working on their MFA in Theatre Arts: Musical Theatre. At the end of the episode, Van recommends YouTube University, the College of Google, Google Chrome Extension: Transpose, Tik Tok, and Joe Deer's Acting for Musical Theatre. Van Angelo (they/them) - is a proud Westminster Choir College graduate and served as Director of Choral Activities for five years at the high school level. Van is currently a teaching artist for Moonlight Youth Theatre and New Village Arts. Select Regional Credits: Something Rotten, Memphis (Moonlight), Catch Me If You Can (SDMT), Seussical (Candlelight), West Side Story, Tarzan, Hairspray (Performance Riverside), The View UpStairs (Desert Rose Playhouse). Music Directing Credits: Leonard Bernstein's New York (NVA), Moana Jr. (MYT), Little Shop of Horrors, Seussical, and The Little Mermaid (VVUSD). Van has performed with the New York Philharmonic, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Zelda Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Van is a two-time Inland Theatre League Award winner, and a Desert Theatre League Award winner. Van is currently a Teaching Associate at San Diego State Universty and an MFA in Theatre Arts: Musical Theatre candidate.

"It's really easy for a teacher to work 80, 90, 100 hours a week. What does that do to a person? When I'm exhausted, I'm a less effective communicator. I am less prepared to deal with the emotional challenges of the classroom. I am less likely to give grace when I'm tired. Giving 100% of yourself is not an effective educational strategy. You can't give everything."Benjamin Hawkinson is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Millikin University. There he conducts numerous ensembles including the University Choir, the True Blue Chorale (TB) and Millikin's premier vocal jazz ensemble OneVoice. Additional teaching responsibilities include courses in High School Choral Methods and Conducting. Ensembles under his direction have toured across the region with One Voice recently being invited to perform at the 2022 Jazz Educators Network in Dallas, TX, and at the Illinois Music Educators Conference in 2023. Recently Dr. Hawkinson served as guest conductor for the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, and served as chorus master for Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe. Dr. Hawkinson is an active clinician, presenter, and researcher. Common presentation topics include vocal improvisation practices of the late Italian Renaissance, interdisciplinary interactions between music and the social sciences, and mitigating burnout through time new perspectives in time management. Dr. Hawkinson holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Northern Arizona University. To get in touch with Ben, you can email him at bhawkinson@millikin.edu. You can also find him on Instagram (@hawkinsonben) or Facebook (@ben.hawkinson.14).Choir Fam wants to hear from you! Check out the Minisode Intro episode to hear how to share your story with us. Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson from PexelsGet The Fluff Out - Listen, laugh and enjoy GenX Music + Talk Get The Fluff Out! is a fun GenX Music + Talk podcast releasing 4 episodes per monthListen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Bless Our MessLife gets messy! Which is why we created Bless Our Mess. Join us as we tackle life issues.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

We speak with Janine Dunlap Kiah from the SeniorLAW Center. The SeniorLAW Center is the only pro bono organization specializing in grandparent custody cases. Volunteer opportunities exist across the state from in-person pro bono representation to serving on the Center's hotline to advise and assist parties in need. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the SeniorLAW Center's Legal Director, Dana Goldberg: dgoldberg@SeniorLAWCenter.org Janine Dunlap Kiah is the director for the Pursuing Justice for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Pennsylvania project at SeniorLAW Center, based in Philadelphia, PA. In this role, she manages a federally funded statewide initiative poised to increase access to legal representation, education, and resources to older adults caring for children when the biological parents are absent. Prior to joining SeniorLAW Center, Janine practiced family law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1997. She earned her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law and a B.A. in Vocal Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. Janine resides in Philadelphia with her wife, two boisterous boys, and their black cat, Shadow. SeniorLAW Center – Protecting the Rights of Older Pennsylvanians PA Custody Statute on Standing: 23 Pa.C.S.A. 5324 Chapter 53. - Title 23 - DOMESTIC RELATIONS (state.pa.us) *audio editing, voice over & music by Nick DeMatteo

My guest for this special Father's Day Episode is John Cuk, from New York, USA. John is a conductor, musician, music educator and accompanist, and a dad of 2 girls.John started playing the piano at age 5, played the trumpet in a band, sang in choirs, grew up going to the theatre, opera and going to concerts, even though his parents weren't musical he was exposed to the arts. In school he sang in the choir and played in the band. He dreamt of going on to study to be a music teacher, as well as holding on to the desire to be a performer in his own right.He went on to study degrees from Manhattanville College and The Manhattan School of Music as well as post graduate work from Westminster Choir College and gained his Masters in Piano Performance.John juggled being a professional musician with being a full time teacher for many years, enjoying the grounding that being in the class room brought him.John's career in academia spanned 40 years. He has taught at Scarsdale High School, Somers High School, Middle Schools in Chappaqua, New Rochelle, Rye and at The Anglo-American School in New York. He retired from his position as the Director of Choirs at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY in 2018 after 16 collective years there.John has a varied background as a musician and educator. As a conductor, he's conducted choral and orchestral ensembles in Europe, South America and the United States. He has performed at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Marmorsaal, Schloss Mirabell (Salzburg, Austria), Teatrului Național de Operă și Balet ‘Oleg Danovski' (Constanța, Romania), Kennedy Library (Boston), Música Sin Edad (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Temppeliauki, (Helsinki, Finland) and The International Youth Orchestra Festival (Lucca, Italy).Active in musical theatre and opera, John has held positions with Music in the Alps International Festival in Austria, Opera Estate in Rome Italy, Utopia Opera and Dell' Arte Opera in New York, New York, Buck Hill/Skytop Festival in Pennsylvania, Westchester Conservatory's Summer Vocal Music Academy in White Plains, New York, as well as Musical Director for countless musical theatre productions both at the high school and college level.Guest conducting includes Ridgefield Symphony (CT), Chorus and Orchestra of Teatrului Național de Operă și Balet ‘Oleg Danovski' Constanța, Romania, Orchestra Sinfonica di Bacau, Romania in Italy, Moldova Radio Symphony in Chisinau Moldova, National Chorale's Annual Messiah-Sing-In at Avery Fisher Hall as well as choral festivals for Western Connecticut, Suffolk, Duchess and Westchester Counties in New York.He is active as a coach, accompanist, pianist and guest conductor. John performs frequently with singers and chamber musicians and is currently a staff pianist for The Bronx Opera.It is always interesting on these occasions to get the male parent perspective on things. I think it is something that many of us are interested in, it certainly comes up as a topic in many of my chats with mums. I'm very grateful for John for allowing me to delve deep and ask the big questions.We also chat a lot about a shared passion of choral music, choral singing and music overall.Connect with JohnConnect with the podcastMusic throughout this episode is taken from the public domain and therefore not subject to copyright.

SEUSSICAL COMPOSER: Stephen Flaherty LYRICIST: Lynn Ahrens BOOK: Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty SOURCE: The stories of Dr. Seuss (c. 1950s) DIRECTOR: Rob Marshall CHOREOGRAPHER: Kathleen Marshall PRINCIPLE CAST: Kevin Chamberlain (Horton), Janine LaManna (Gertrude), David Shiner (The Cat in the Hat) OPENING DATE: Nov 30, 2000 CLOSING DATE: May 20, 2001 PERFORMANCES: 198 SYNOPSIS: The wild world of Dr. Seuss comes to life as Seuss' various characters come together to tell the story of Horton, a lonely elephant, and Gertrude McFuzz, a shy bird, as they fall in love with one another.  Nathan Brewer argues for Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Seussical as a significant show that, despite lackluster reviews and box office sales, went on to find financial success as a staple within community theatre and educational institutions, especially through the work of director Marcia Milgrom Dodge. Seussical's ability to redefine theatrical financial success, and public exposure, after its failure on Broadway, offered shows that were not commercially viable to become regionally successful such as Little Women, The Addams Family, and Be More Chill. Nathan Brewer is a director of theatre, opera, concerts, film, and events.  Directing credits include Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera, Park Avenue Armory, Theatreworks/USA, New York Musical Theatre Festival, numerous symphonic and pops concerts, and televised award shows.  Nathan is on the musical theatre faculty at The New Studio on Broadway at NYU/Tisch, and The College of New Jersey.  He has previously taught at Penn State and Westminster Choir College.   Assisting credits include Aladdin (Broadway), and Relatively Speaking (Broadway).  Nathan is the Founder & Artistic Director of Recreational Arts, a performing arts educational organization, with programs in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.   Stephen Flaherty is the composer of the Broadway musicals Ragtime (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC Awards, two Grammy nominations), Seussical (Grammy, Drama Desk nominations), Once on This Island (Tony nomination, Olivier Award, Best Musical) and Rocky. Additional Broadway includes Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (original songs) and Neil Simon's Proposals (incidental music). Stephen has also written four musicals at Lincoln Center Theatre: The Glorious Ones (OCC, Drama Desk nominations), Dessa Rose (OCC, Drama Desk nominations), A Man of No Importance (OCC, Best Musical, Drama Desk nomination) and My Favorite Year. Other theater includes In Your Arms (Old Globe), Little Dancer (Kennedy Center), Lucky Stiff (Playwrights Horizons) and Loving Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein (Chicago's Jefferson Award, Best New Musical.) Film includes Anastasia (two Academy Award and two Golden Globe nominations), the documentary After The Storm and Lucky Stiff. Mr. Flaherty's concert music has premiered at the Hollywood Bowl, Boston's Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Guggenheim Museum and Symphony Space. This year celebrates Stephen's 32-year collaboration with lyricist-librettist Lynn Ahrens. Stephen and Lynn are members of the Dramatists Guild Council and co- founders of the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program. In 2015 they were inducted into the Theater Hall Of Fame. Upcoming: the stage adaptation of Anastasia. AhrensAndFlaherty.com. SOURCES Seussical, Original Cast Recording, Decca Records (2000) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casey Probus and Lisa Ferraro Act Locally Co-hosts Wendy Sheridan and Robin Renée have recently been reminding listeners of the growing importance of local politics. Wendy takes a deep dive into her local political landscape in this episode by way of an interview with candidates Casey Probus and Lisa Ferraro: Casey Probus was born and raised in Rahway, NJ, where she lives with her daughter who attends a Rahway Elementary School. Casey attended Rahway public schools where she was a part of the 2003 State Championship Girls Basketball team. She currently works as a union mechanic and crane operator and is the first union employee chosen to lead an Employee Resource Group. Casey graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida A & M University and has an associates degree from Tallahassee Community College. Running for council at-large on the Casey Probus for Mayor team, Lisa Ferarro is a Past President of Indivisible Rahway and owner of Sonic Bliss Yoga as a local yoga and wellness instructor. Lisa graduated from Westminster Choir College with a B.A. in Music and is a proud union member of the Actors' Equity Association. She has lived in Rahway for 10 years with her husband and daughter. Also in this episode, Robin and Wendy celebrate four years of The Leftscape! They look back at the show as a whole and highlight favorite episodes from the season of Freedom. In The Artscape, Robin interviews Wendy about her current creative works, challenges, and inspirations. The day's 3 Random Facts bring levity with a ridiculous California law, a popular "Native American" poem which turns out to be fakelore, and some TMI about koala genitalia. There are even pictures! The News is much more sobering. The primary topics are the leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Saturday's protests in Washington, DC and in many cities across the US, and the mass shooting in Buffalo, NY. The Leftscape will be on spring/summer break until July 13th. Until then, there will be some redux episodes for you to enjoy. Thanks for listening! Things to do: VOTE in your upcoming primary election. Check out the One United Rahway website. Like and follow One United Rahway on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Listen to some favorite interviews from the Season of Freedom with Eliot Katz, Halina Brooke, David S. Schwartz, and Susan Billmaier. Attend the Balticon Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention and check our Wendy's work in the art show! May 27-30, 2022. Sound engineering by Wendy Sheridan Show notes by Robin Renée Fake sponsor messages by Ariel Sheridan Web hosting by InMotion Remote recording by SquadCast

Brian Gurley is the Director of Music and organist at St Paul Cathedral where he oversees the recital series which features Ahreum Han on Friday evening May 6 at St Paul playing the Beckerath organ. She and Brian joined Jim Cunningham to preview the event and the series. They both offer suggestions for how the organ can remain relevant in the world of flashing screens and electronics that compete for attention with Bach and Widor. Brian is back at home in Western pa having started his organ training at Grove City College then on to Notre Dame and University of Wisconsin and Ahreum relates her path from Korea to Curtis in Philadelphia, Westminster Choir College, Yale and now serving at First Presbyterian of Fort Worth Texas as Director of Music and Organist.

Sarah Fritz is a writer, singer, and public musicologist. Her passionate advocacy on social media seeks to change the dialogue around marginalized musicians and composers in classical music. An expert on the history of Clara Schumann, her popular Twitter account is dedicated to telling truths and debunking myths around the infamous composer/pianist. She's an in-demand speaker and lecturer, most recently at Northeastern University and at the launch of the Cambridge University Press book, Clara Schumann Studies. Her writing on Clara Schumann re-examines with a modern lens one of the most powerful musicians in classical music history. Fritz places Schumann's music and life in relevant context using overlooked research that includes fresh perspectives on Schumann's personal and professional relationships with her husband, Robert, and her close professional friend, Johannes Brahms. Fritz's work has appeared in numerous publications including VAN Magazine, The Schubertian, and American Guild of Organists Magazine. She maintains an in-depth research blog and a monthly newsletter on Clara Schumann with a novel forthcoming. Under her singer hat as mezzo-soprano Sarah Sensenig, she is a member of the voice faculty of the Westminster Conservatory at Rider University. She sings in the Philadelphia Orchestra's Symphonic Choir, this season's highlights including Beethoven's Missa Solemnis at Carnegie Hall and the world premiere of Puts's The Hours. She holds an M.M. from Eastman School of Music and B.M. from Westminster Choir College. Sarah debuted with the New York Lyric Opera Theatre in the title role of Handel's Alcina, and her other operatic roles include Fiordiligi in Mozart's Cosí fan tutte, Valencienne in The Merry Widow, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Nancy in Albert Herring, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, and Dido in Dido and Aeneas. She enjoys giving recitals with her pianist husband, especially in singing the Lieder of her favorite composer, Clara Schumann.  

Shawn Stewart – College Financial Aid and Career Navigation with Tom & Maria Geffers and Seth Greene Episode 042 Shawn Stewart Shawn Stewart is the owner and lead photographer of LightMaster Studios which is based in the Poconos. Before becoming a full-time photographer in 2018, Shawn was a Music Teacher in New Jersey for 22 years. He attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ where he met his wife, Carrie. They have been married for 25 years and have 3 adult children.  Shawn has had a passion for photography since high school, and in 2008 started LightMaster Studios as a part-time studio. In 2017, the family moved from New Jersey to the Poconos, and in 2018, Shawn made the switch for LightMaster Studios to be a full-time business. Shawn's passion has built this company from the ground up and we are excited to see where things will take it in the future!  Listen to this informational College Financial Aid and Career Navigation episode with Shawn Stewart where we talk about pursuing a career in the arts. Here is what to expect on this week's show: -A music education major as giving you several paths to a career in the arts -Combining your passion with your purpose to find fulfillment in your career -Overhauls needed in the education system to better align with the information age -Discovering gifts at any point in your life and fostering them -Photography as a viable career path -The skills above and beyond operating a camera needed for a career in photography -The ever-expanding frontier of online education -finding the willing experts in the area of your interest to share their expertise Connect with Shawn Stewart: Guest Contact Info: Instagram: @lightmasterstudios Facebook: @lightmasterstudios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The love of choral singing is woven throughout not only this episode, but also in Linda Tedford's life.  Find out about her roots, specific experiences that shaped her, and how she became a founder and conductor of Central PA's award-winning choral group, the Susquehanna Chorale.  Reflections on the importance of singing and finding her own voice will resonate with you in an impactful way, especially for those of you who already love singing or simply wish to begin! Linda L. Tedford is the Artistic Director, Founder, and Conductor of the award-winning Susquehanna Chorale, established in 1981. She is responsible for the creation of the Chorale's Educational Outreach program, which reaches hundreds of local student singers annually. Ms. Tedford is Professor Emeritus (Director of Choral Activities) at Messiah University in Grantham, PA. Choirs under her leadership have performed at regional and state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA); for the Legislature and Governor of Pennsylvania; and in several European venues. Her work is featured on over 16 professionally produced CDs, and her choirs appear regularly with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. In 1994, Ms. Tedford and the Susquehanna Chorale received Chorus America's highest lifetime award, The Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence. Ms. Tedford is the 2011 recipient of ACDA-PA's Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence for outstanding lifelong work in the choral art. In 2013, she received Theatre Harrisburg's Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region. Ms. Tedford holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University, where she studied with internationally renowned conductor Robert Page. She pursued additional study at Westminster Choir College, as well as with prominent conductors such as Robert Shaw, Gregg Smith, and Dale Warland, and with voice teachers Robert Grooters and Thomas Houser. She is an active member of Chorus America and the American Choral Directors Association. Ms. Tedford is a frequent guest conductor and clinician. Links: https://www.susquehannachorale.org https://www.messiah.edu/info/21654/academics_in_action/2417/linda_tedford https://www.harrisburgsymphony.org Susquehanna Chorale website: Susquehannachorale.org Chorus America: Chorusamerica.orgAmerican Choral Directors Association: ACDA.org Co-hosts, Molly and Justin are Co-owners of www.ThePerfect5th.com

On today's episode, Scott interviews his friend, Ed Alstrom, a multi-talented musician, who holds a B.M. degree in Organ Performance from Westminster Choir College, where he studied classical music during the day, while playing jazz, pop and rock gigs at night. A highly sought after organist in the tri-state area, he can play seamlessly in all styles of music, in addition to singing, and playing keyboards. He has performed with artists that include Bette Midler, Chuck Berry, Leonard Bernstein, Blood, Sweat and Tears, various NY Broadway Pit Orchestras, and was a member of the pit band for the Uncle Floyd Show, a NJ/NY tv show that featured sketch comedy and live music. Ed was also a Product/Marketing Manager at Casio Inc., composing/arranging demo songs for their keyboards, while demonstrating products live on stage with legendary musicians Stanley Jordan, Herbie Hancock and Donald Fagen. In the field of religious music, he divides his time between being a church director/organist and Temple accompanist/choir director in NJ. In 2004, Ed fulfilled his childhood dream when he became the weekend organist at Yankee Stadium, and is still entertaining baseball fans in that role with his organ music. This organist, singer, and keyboardist, certainly GOT CHOPS! Follow Ed on Website: www.edalstrom.com Instagram: @edalstrom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC46viM3LlL9LlKn4N2DdNkQ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ealstrom Follow Got Chops on Instagram: @gotchopspodcast Listen to Got Chops Podcast on - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Pjh7tC3aTpeMFEhmn4fp4?si=699ae5b84e544cb5 - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/got-chops/id1587699754 - Anchor: https://anchor.fm/gotchops - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp5wwP8DvMPkqI4VM2VMlcufn6a-CzlHM Follow Scott on Instagram: @scottgrimaldimusic Twitter: @GrimaldiMusic Facebook: Scott Grimaldi - "The Color Of Midnight" Website: www.grimaldimusic.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gotchops/message

S3 Ep.1 Singer/Songwriter &Teacher Melody Steven's name says it all & How she started “Quarantunes” to heal the World during a pandemic This is a #OneMicNite Live Artist Session! **

Today Greg and Katelyn are chatting with Dr. Rachel Goldenberg, one of Katelyn's classmates! Dr. Rachel Goldenberg is a leading authority in singing and lung disease. Dr. Goldenberg's doctoral dissertation focused on the use of singing lessons as an adjunctive airway clearance technique for cystic fibrosis and her article, “Singing for Respiratory Health: A Literature Review” was published in 2018 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Voice. As an active and trained singing voice specialist, she frequently assists injured singers, actors and other voice users referred to her from medical professionals and the voice community. Dr. Goldenberg received her Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal pedagogy from Shenandoah University and also holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in voice performance and pedagogy from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. She previously taught voice, speech and pedagogy at Ambrose University and maintained a private voice studio in her native Calgary. Recently she has focused her work on helping people with lung disease to better coordinate their breath with the voice through individual lessons and the “Breathe, Sing, Move!” program created at Breathe Well Physio in Calgary. During our interview, Rachel told us about the “Breathe, Speak, Pace” voice skills program for people experiencing long-COVID. Rachel talked a lot about how she teaches breath training and breathing skills, and her and Greg discuss the importance of breath in stuttering management. Rachel explains why she was drawn to Speech-Language Pathology and what inspired her to continue to pursue her education. Throughout the interview, all three discuss the importance of music, and how singing can be beneficial in many ways, including in stuttering treatment. Rachel also talks about acceptance when living with a chronic condition, and explains the parallel she has seen between those with chronic lung disease and the experience of stuttering. Finally, Rachel gives some words of wisdom to Katelyn, her classmates, and any other students listening to the podcast! Music: Luca Dinu Production Team: Katelyn Mayo, Luca Dinu, Melanie Crane, Emily Murphy, Greg O'Grady, Dr. Paul De Decker

Ms. Williams was a first-prize winner at the NATS-CNYFL(National Association of Teachers of Singing Central New York Finger Lakes Chapter) competition. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College, a Master of Music from Ithaca College, and a Professional Studies Certificate in opera from The Manhattan School of Music. She is a volunteer artist for Sing for Hope and is one of the owners of the Sparkle Twins. In addition to singing, Ms. Williams teaches Pre-school and is also a professional commercial and print model. She most recently starred in the national Verizon Holiday commercial along with her identical twin sister. Which received over 2 million views worldwide. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musicspeaks-podcast/support

Notes: This song began to appear Sunday morning, December 4th, as I was making breakfast, thinking about snowy drives through our town, looking at Christmas lights. It was one of those warmish, wet days with snow on the ground, so there was a mist lifting up from the snow, and the sky was the same color as the fields. December is a complicated month for me, with rich memories of so much happiness as a child, and difficult loss as an adult...  the longing to connect with and create happiness for all whom I love -- the rueful recognition that I can't "make" anyone happy. Thinking of all the stories in December about light in dark, fraught journeys, seeds, births, miracles -- all the hope and determination we try to share with each other in lights and decorations and candles. For me, the song is a good companion to the bittersweet, reflective mood I often find myself in in December. Songwriter Info: Patricia is the fourth of five siblings, with eight years from oldest to youngest. Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, and western New York State, a snowy Christmas was virtually guaranteed, and the house was filled with beautiful traditions, from a fat Christmas tree we would go cut at a local farm decorated with white paper doves, tinsel, red balls, and lights, to much gift planning, making & secret, careful wrapping. Christmas cookies left out for Santa, waking up to go to midnight mass, the Westminster Choir College singing Britten's Ceremony of Carols on the turntable, holiday songs on the radio and the whole family watched whatever holiday specials were on tv. A special meal with tablecloth and candles on the table, sledding and snow forts and tunnels, plastic bread bags in the boots and over the mittens to try to keep us warm and dry... my childhood memories are of magical, generous, happy Christmases with music everywhere. ​  Of course, the world appeared more complex and nuanced as I grew, and the loss of loved ones I wanted to celebrate with, ugly commercialism, knowledge of economic disparity and the dark history and abuses of religious belief also became part of December.... and, as a church musician, holiday performance pressure -- the collision of expectations and what actually happens. This song is one of the ways I can be present with the whole catastrophe, as Jon Kabat-Zinn might say. Nuts & Bolts: 6:8, Aeolian, unison with harmonized accompanying line Visit abreathofsong.com for lyrics, more of Patty's artwork, and a way to nominate songs or songwriters for the podcast. Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me. Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!

Our guest is Joseph Arndt, who's been the music director at Saint John's Episcopal Church here in Tulsa since 2015. Arndt received his M.M. from The Juilliard School and his B.M. from Westminster Choir College in organ performance. Shortly after arriving in Tulsa, he founded the popular Music at Midday series at Saint John's, which he tells us about. The 7th season of Music at Midday gets underway tomorrow (Wednesday the 22nd, at noon) with a performance by Barron Ryan, the Tulsa-based classical/jazz/crossover pianist. Arndt also tells us about other upcoming Music at Midday engagements, and about additional St. John's concerts that will happen later this year featuring music by Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672), J.S. Bach (1685-1750), and Marcel Dupré (1886-1971). For more information, click the "Music" tab at the church website .

Follow Maren:on Instagram: @supermarenFacebook: https://facebook.com/maren.montalbanoFollow Abby:DLive.tv/burnergrltimeforchange.coachAbigailWright.comSign up for the Bodice Ripper Project newsletter and get exclusive behind-the-scenes content: http://www.bodiceripperproject.com/Purchase Maren's debut book, Pandemic Passion: A COVID-19 novella on KindleTranscript and Show Notes: http://www.bodiceripperproject.com/e032/

Welcome to Season 2 of Ic2us! You're not going to want to miss this! Today's episode features Grammy-nominated conductor James Jordan. Dr. Jordan is recognized and praised throughout the musical world as one of America's pre-eminent conductors, recording artists, writers, music psychologists and innovators in choral music. He was described as a “visionary” by Choral Journal, which cited his book Evoking Sound as a “must read.” His more than 40 books explore both the philosophical and spiritual basis of musicianship, as well as aspects of choral rehearsal teaching and learning, and they are considered to be essential references in the conducting profession. He is professor and senior conductor at Westminster Choir College where he conducts Westminster Schola Cantorum and the critically acclaimed Westminster Williamson Voices. He is also director of the Westminster Conducting Institute and co-director of the Choral Institute at Oxford. (rider.edu/Oxford) He is artistic director and conductor of the professional choral ensemble, The Same Stream (thesamestreamchoir.com) Find Ic2us online at www.ic2uspodcast.com Ic2us is a proud member of the Music teacher Development Podcast Network! Find more information at www.mutedpodcasts.com. Ic2us is your source for any and everything conducting, listening, teaching, and music making. Treat yourself to a dose of musical inspiration as we pick the minds of great conductors and delve into note worthy repertoire. If you're a musician, teacher, or conductor: you've found your people.

In this 15th episode of "Meet the Musicians", guest host Helen Kernizan (Rise Up Chorus's Youth Chorus Director) interviews Brittney Boykin. Composer and Concert Pianist Brittney Boykin (B.E. Boykin) is a native of Alexandria, Virginia. After graduating from Spelman College in 2011 with a B.A. in Music, Ms. Boykin continued her studies at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. She continued to compose music during her time at Westminster and was awarded the R & R Young Composition Prize just a few months shy of graduating. In May of 2013, Ms. Boykin graduated from Westminster Choir College with a M.M. in Sacred Music with a concentration in choral studies. Among her professional endeavors, Ms. Boykin has also been featured as the conductor/composer-in-residence for the 2017 Harry T. Burleigh Commemorative Spiritual Festival at Tennessee State University. Ms. Boykin’s instrumental and choral works are currently being published and distributed through her own publishing company, Klavia Press. She is currently pursuing a PhD with an emphasis in Music Education from Georgia State University. "Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.

Paul Casey: So a goal is like pulling the rope when you cannot clearly see what is on the other end. You know the treasure is there, but you can only see a shadowy outline. With each pole, the treasure becomes more and more clear until there it is right in front of you. Speaker 2: Raising the water level of leadership in the Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington, it's the Tri-Cities Influencer Podcast. Welcome to the TCI Podcast where local leadership and self-leadership expert Paul Casey interviews local CEOs, entrepreneurs, and non-profit executives to hear how they lead themselves and their teams, so we can all benefit from their wisdom and experience. Here's your host, Paul Casey of Growing Forward Service, coaching and equipping individuals and teams to spark breakthrough success. Paul Casey: It's a great day to grow forward. Thanks for joining me for today's episode with Justin Raffa. He is the artistic director of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. And a fun fact about Justin he said his little whistling thing, Justin talk about that. Justin Raffa: It might be easier if I just do a little demonstration Paul. Should we just- Paul Casey: Please do. Justin Raffa: ... and then I'll explain later? Paul Casey: Okay. Justin Raffa: [inaudible 00:01:16] So there's a little taste of this annoying whistling approach that I learned as a kid. I use my teeth and I look really goofy if you were just watching me. [inaudible 00:01:35] this funny embouchure but I can do things like that. That's the piccolo solo from Stars and Stripes Forever- Paul Casey: Yes, it is. Justin Raffa: ... and I've learned how to do the little trills and yeah. Paul Casey: Yes, and it was funny because we laughed about this because I used to have a gap or a chip tooth right in the front for like 20 years. And I was able to also whistle through that gap, so that's pretty funny. Well, we're going to dive in after checking with our Tri-City Influencer sponsor. Paul Casey: It's easy to delay answering uncomfortable questions like, "What happens to my assets and my loved ones when I die?" So it's no surprise that nearly 50% of Americans don't have a will, and even fewer have an estate plan. Many disabled clients worry that they don't have enough assets to set up an estate plan. But there are important options available to ensure that you have a voice in your medical and financial decision-making, even if your health takes a turn for the worst. Estate planning gives you a voice when your health deteriorates or after you're gone. Marin Miller Bam, attorney at law, is currently providing free consultations. To find out more about estate planning or to book an appointment, call Marin at (206) 485-4066 or visit Salus that's S-A-L-U-S -law.com today. Paul Casey: Thank you for your support of leadership development in the Tri-Cities. Well, welcome, Justin. I was privileged to meet you many years ago when I was working at a church and you came alongside the music director there and was helping with oratorios and then the Messiah, and it's like, "There's this young guy coming in here with all this musical talent." I remember that. And then through leadership at Tri-Cities, we've had a chance to work together, volunteer together through that to promote leadership development in the Tri-City. So, great that I get to interview today. Justin Raffa: Thank you so much for this opportunity, Paul. I'm a big fan of the work that you do on this leadership front for our community. I've had the pleasure of working with you as a facilitator with one of my groups. And I don't know that I'm a Tri-City influencer. My friends like to call me a pusher and an instigator. They use those terms a lot, but I'm delighted to have a chance to talk with you today. Thank you for the invitation. Paul Casey: We could change this podcast because it's still an eye, Tri-Cities Instigator, right? I think that would be really creative. Well, help our Tri-City Influencers get to know you. Take us through a couple of your career highlights that led you to where you are now. Justin Raffa: I'm a South Jersey native. I grew up outside of Philadelphia in the part of New Jersey where it gets its nickname, the Garden State. I was heavily involved in music for years. I loved singing in church choirs as a kid, and then in all of my different levels of school, I was always involved in music. And it was about my junior year of high school where I thought, "Maybe I could do this for a living." And my high school choir director, who was my favorite teacher of my favorite class, gave me an opportunity that year. And she asked me, "Hey, would you like to teach the class? Would you like to run a couple of rehearsals on this piece and conduct it in the concert?" And I couldn't believe that she would give me that opportunity as a student. She sat in the back of the room and I was down there running the show and I really got hooked. So I'm grateful for those opportunities that I had in high school. Justin Raffa: I went off to my undergraduate degree. I had a lot of opportunities to intern with volunteer community choirs, learning more about the nonprofit side of my industry, which is my bread and butter now, which is what I love the most. Being an intern for a variety of choirs in the Princeton area in Central Jersey, I went to Westminster Choir College in Princeton, not part of Princeton University, but the university was just a 10-minute walk from my campus, so I did spend a lot of time there. But I just took every opportunity I could, which a lot of performing artists do early in the career. You never say no. Whatever chance you have to get in front of people to get on the podium conducting a group, I just ate up, eat, slept and breathed music for so long. Justin Raffa: My first teaching job was in Bisbee, Arizona, a little town on the border of Mexico. It was 2,500 miles away from everyone and everything I ever knew. I'm an only child, so when I finished my undergrad, I was just ready to get out of Jersey, to get out of the east coast. I was just ready for an adventure. And as a young teacher, you want to go out there and change the world. So I thought, "Let's take this job." Justin Raffa: I didn't speak a lick of Spanish. Most of my students there were bilingual. I am as pasty gringo complexion, I had to stay calm. My father's family is Sicilian and my mother's kind of generic UK, but I had a really wonderful time. I was 22 years old and I was out there by myself and had a chance to run the choir and drama departments of the Bisbee High School. And I was also quickly promoted as the lead conductor, the artistic director of the Bisbee community course. So here I am now 22 also in front of adults and getting to pick music and program concerts and things that if I had stayed on the east coast, I probably would have still had to be the intern for the another decade of my life. Justin Raffa: It's just very saturated. My industry back on the east coast, there's a lot of us looking for work, so at the border of Mexico, I had a lot of opportunities and I'm grateful for that. I got to test things out. I made a lot of mistakes in my first couple of years of teaching and working with adult choirs. I also was on the city of Bisbee's Arts Commission, which is where I first stepped into the government sector of advocating for arts. Justin Raffa: I did my master's degree a couple of years after, 27 years old, I needed a job, and I found this interesting little community called the Tri-Cities in Washington State. I'd never spent any time in the Pacific Northwest. I was interested. I was ready to move to another corner of the country ready for that next adventure. I came up for an interview, they liked me, I liked them, and 13 years later, here I am. Justin Raffa: And again, I was 27 years old when Mid-Columbia Mastersingers hired me to be its lead conductor, the artistic director. That's a big responsibility for someone that's still fairly early in their career. The board took a chance on me and I'm grateful for that. And that original team and I worked very close together to really build and start to rebrand the organization. Paul Casey: Yeah, it sounds like say yes to opportunities, I heard in that story. I heard about mentorship in that story. I heard take a chance on somebody that's showing promise, so a lot of good leadership lessons. Justin Raffa: But the salary that the Mastersingers offered me that first year, by the way, which I am happy to share. I don't mind talking about money. I know some people get weird about money. It was basically a $4,000 stipend for the year. And my parents back in Jersey were like, "You're doing what?" Paul Casey: For the year. Justin Raffa: "You're doing what? You're moving to another corner of the country to take on a job that pays you four grands." I was like, "Mom, dad, you got to start somewhere in this industry. It's a small-sized nonprofit performing arts organization. I think I can invest in this and build it, and it's going to give me the opportunities that I want to work in my field." Justin Raffa: I'm glad that we've been able to build the organization and my salary along with it in these past 13 years. But yeah, taking chances and recognizing that, for a lot of us who are artists money is definitely secondary. And we hope that it comes, but it takes a lot of time to build up your experience where you're at a level where you're being compensated for what you think you're worth. But I was happy to do it when I was 27, or I actually I would do it again now. Paul Casey: Well, that's a real love for it. So being in your strength zone can multiply your influence, so how do you add the most value to your organization? Justin Raffa: I have talked a lot over the years about getting the right people on the bus. Paul Casey: Yes, the bus. Justin Raffa: And for me, when the Mastersingers hired me, the organization was a 30ish thousand-dollar annual budget, pretty small, seven or eight members of the board of directors, most of which were singers or singer spouses. So very much the early stages of what nonprofits look like. So I was very intentional and strategic from day one about who do we want on the board? What other staff positions do we want to create? And who are the best people to fill those jobs? Justin Raffa: The board and I, we are very protective of who we bring into that inner circle, because we know that one bad apple can really- Paul Casey: So true. Justin Raffa: ... poison the water. So we've been very diligent about who we invite to come on our board. And as we've grown staff positions, I am fastidious about who we're hiring. I'm on all the selection panels. And that's part of my role as artistic director, when we're bringing additional artistic roles, just, you got to get the right people on the bus. Justin Raffa: And in choir, it's all about team. I could be the greatest, most intelligent musical mind that this country has ever seen, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter because the work I do is so contingent on groups of people. So yeah, getting the right people on the bus I think has been a really important step for me in growing my organization. Paul Casey: And then on the flip side, you have to be self-aware of your weaknesses. So is there a favorite way you sabotage yourself? Justin Raffa: Yeah, and I've just recently started addressing this. But when you work for a nonprofit organization, when you work for a nonprofit arts organization in communities like Tri-Cities, sometimes it's hard to set work boundaries. We do have a physical office space, but I do not have set office hours. I do not have a nine-to-five job where I need to report to this physical location. Justin Raffa: I can go into the office, but mostly my colleague, Wendy, who is our managing director, she's the front face of the office, so I almost never go in. Which means that at times I find myself answering emails on Friday night at 11 o'clock at night. Because I feel that there's this urgency to get it done. And not having those clear boundaries about showing up to a physical space to work and following a 40-hour work week nine to five, working in the nonprofit sector can be really consuming. And you feel like you're just on, 365 days a year you're just on call 24/7. And so I've had to be really intentional about balancing my time and setting up those limits and said, "I'm not going to answer emails after nine o'clock at night. Let's try that." Paul Casey: Right. Justin Raffa: And it's hard because things might come in and I see it, especially now that we all have phones where we get little dings when anything else comes like, "Oh, it'll just take me a second to answer." No, it can wait. Or, "It's the weekend, I'll get it on Monday morning." So it's been really hard for me because I love my work so much. And I often do have the time. I could take a couple minutes right now and answer that despite the fact that it's 11 o'clock at night. Justin Raffa: So just having to solidify those boundaries and those time restraints so that I don't feel that I'm constantly living my job. Paul Casey: Yeah, and that is hard when you love your job. I totally can relate to that as well, but it will drain you. And it also sets an expectation sometimes of the recipient of the email that, "Oh, I got to respond at 10 o'clock or 11 o'clock as well." Justin Raffa: Right. I don't want to condition people to think that, "Oh, well, Justin's going to answer my email within 30 minutes because he always does." That also sets up unhealthy habits. Paul Casey: It does. Justin Raffa: And end up, because you could see what time this email was sent, what time the response was sent, all of that is tracked. And I'm trying to help my staff colleagues as well. We've all been culprits of this. Like, "Folks, let's just take it easy. This is not so urgent. If something's urgent, pick up the phone and call me. But have a nice weekend, see you Monday morning." Paul Casey: Good stuff. Well, rarely, by the way, only children unite just saying that if any of those- Justin Raffa: Yeah, it's a thing. Paul Casey: ... actually influencers out there that are only children will have to start a meetup. But rarely do we achieve our highest potential by ourselves. And you said, it's all about the team in choir. Who keeps you accountable? Who keeps you energized to getting your goals accomplished? Justin Raffa: It's pretty easy for me as a conductor because it's my singers. Paul Casey: Yeah. Justin Raffa: It is the wonderful array of volunteer people that I serve in this community who look to me weekly in rehearsals or when we're doing events. Being a choir director is a very authoritarian job in many ways, it's not a democratic institution. The conductor is front and center, usually elevated standing on a podium, and is calling the shots, is dictating, "This is what we're going to do, and this is when we're going to do it, and this is how we're going to do it." Justin Raffa: So I answer to my singers. I am responsible to them. I am inspired by them. And as I mentioned a moment ago, I could be the most skilled, experienced conductor, but if my singers aren't having a good experience, if they're not happy with the nature of rehearsals or how the organization is operating under my leadership, they're all volunteers, and they don't have to show up next week. And I'm nobody without a choir. Justin Raffa: Standing up there by myself, waving my arms, it doesn't matter, right? Everything I do is based on my singers. And since we are a volunteer co-organization, that all of our singers are volunteers, most of them do not have professional musical backgrounds. They have other day jobs, and callings, and spouses, and partners, and children, and things that take their time. So they need their time to be well-spent when they are assembled with me for rehearsals and performances, or they can just opt out. Justin Raffa: And all of the professional development that I do to stay up to date on what are the newest cutting edge trends in choral music, all the professional development workshops and things I attend, is so that I can be of better service to my singers. Keep them connected, keep them engaged, keep them excited, and keep them coming back. Paul Casey: I love that, because they could vote with their feet. Justin Raffa: Absolutely. Paul Casey: Do you also have a formal feedback mechanism or are they just free to give you feedback at any time? Justin Raffa: We typically have a series of surveys that we'll share with them. And we survey a lot of our stakeholders, so following a performance, we survey our audience. Recently in this era of COVID, we've done a number of surveys with our singers to gauge initially, what do you want to do and what do you not want to do since we can't be assembled, since we can't be together in person singing? Because the staff and I didn't want to just arbitrarily create all these online offerings, whereas the majority of our singers would go, "Nah, I'm not digging that. I don't want to do that." Paul Casey: Yeah. Justin Raffa: So just trying to gauge their interests. And now, as we see a lot of businesses and industries that are transitioning back to hybrid services and in-person services, asking the singers, "Do you want to do this? Are you ready to be back together? What's the timeline? How eager?" Or, "What are the conditions that you want to see met before you would be comfortable resuming in-person rehearsals?" So that I would like to think that we've created a lot of opportunities for singers to give them feedback. Justin Raffa: Many of them have become good personal friends, they're in my social circle, so I would also hope that they would feel comfortable approaching me if there was an issue that needed to be addressed. But we also have a number of other staff and obviously a board of directors who are my bosses. If there was an issue, they are points of contact for singers to give that feedback, if they're not comfortable talking with me. Paul Casey: Yeah, you mentioned it's slow now of course, during COVID, and I feel for you because it's your passion and you can't assemble to produce these works of art. But when, before COVID, and hopefully very soon, replenishment of energy is a big deal, because you said you could be on all the time because you love what you do. So what do you do to manage stress other than the boundaries that you mentioned earlier trying to put a cap on replying to email? Justin Raffa: Paul, I am a massage junkie. Paul Casey: Are you? Justin Raffa: I try to go every two weeks if I can, if my budget allows it. Paul Casey: Nice. Justin Raffa: I also, a couple of years ago, started receiving acupuncture treatments, which I think are very complimentary, the yin to the yang of massage. If massage is the macro, acupuncture is the micro treatments. So that self-care is very important to me. I have a hot tub on my back patio that I use very frequently. Paul Casey: Oh, yeah. Justin Raffa: And it's funny because in this era of COVID, my industry was among the first to officially shut down because the nature of performing arts. We're all about big groups of people being together in the same physical space and usually in very close proximity. That's what choir is. Choir singers, we stand shoulder to shoulder often. Paul Casey: Yeah. Justin Raffa: So I have taken advantage of all of this free time I've had to really reflect on my health and stress management, because I historically have done a terrible job at it. I will just work myself to death. So I calmed myself into a daily exercise routine. I get out of the house every day. I think it's important to be outdoors, get some sunshine. I take a 30ish-minute walk. I'm very privileged, I live in Richland, close to the River Walk, so I have a built-in walk that's right out my back door. Paul Casey: Nice. Justin Raffa: And then I started a 30-minute exercise routine. I rotate arms day, legs day, core day. And if you had said to me over a year ago that this would be my future, I would say, "No way. I hate working out. I hate exercise. I'm not a gym guy." But so many of my doctors and my healthcare team, people that care about me have said, "Justin, as you approach 40, you need to take care of yourself and build muscle mass." Justin Raffa: I'm a pretty flexible person. My massage therapists have always told me that, but you need core muscles to be strong, so I don't turn into a shriveled hunchback of an old man when I'm 50. Paul Casey: Right. Justin Raffa: So I think devoting the time to take care of your physical wellbeing is something that I'd never prioritize, but that I've been able to do. I've seen a lot of benefits from that. And I've also recently been working on learning mindful meditation, something I'm interested in, but since I've had so much time by myself that I can really focus in on it. Paul Casey: Well, Tri-City influencers, a lot to put on your wellness self-care checklist that Justin just ran through. So hopefully you got some great ideas to make sure you've got in your own replenishment plan. Well, before we head to our next question on people development, a shout out to our sponsor. Paul Casey: Located in the Parkway, you'll find motivation new friends and your new coworking space at FUSE. Whether you're a student just starting out or a seasoned professional, come discover all the reasons to love coworking at FUSE. Come co-work at FUSE for free on Fridays in February. Enjoy free coffee or tea, Wi-Fi, printing, conference rooms, and more, and bring a friend. FUSE is where individuals and small teams come together in a thoughtfully designed resource-rich environment to get work done and grow their ideas. Comprised of professionals from varying disciplines and backgrounds, FUSE is built for hardworking, fun loving humans. Learn more about us at fusespc.com or stop by 723, the Parkway in Richland, Washington. Paul Casey: Justin, people development, that's what you do, it's crucial for leadership, and if you could clone the ideal person for your organization, what are you looking for? What traits would they have? Justin Raffa: Artists, and I'd say teachers and conductors in general, we are so focused on product versus process. We're working towards a performance and perfecting that performance. So we tend to put a lot of value on skill sets, on people's training. But at the end of the day, what I have discovered is, I could bring in the most talented and experienced artistic team, but if they're jerks, if they're not pleasant to work with, if they aren't good team players, the whole process is miserable. And then you could have the most beautiful high-quality aesthetic product, but it's not worth it to me anymore. Justin Raffa: So early in my career, I really looked up to these pillars. I idolized a lot of celebrities in my industry who I discovered are really nasty people. So I want to clone people who are flexible, who are pleasant to work with, that I'm going to look forward to going into the weekly staff meeting with them, and not dreading, "Oh gosh, I hope Paul doesn't go off the handle again because we didn't have enough green M&M's in his dressing room." Because a lot of that happens, a lot of artists who have wild expectations, and are very needy, and very demanding, and I don't want to play with those people. Justin Raffa: I would rather have a less-quality product, but that I have really enjoyed the process of getting there, working with people that bring me joy, that I really value the time that I spent, because we do. We spend so much time together as ensemble artists building a product. So I want to clone a team of, I don't know what that physically looks like, but flexible and reliable, that they're going to get the job done and not just do lip service. And for me as a leader, I want to a team of folks that I know if I'm going to divvy out these responsibilities, which has also been hard for me, sometimes it's like, "Well, I'll do it. I'll take care of it myself," if I divvy that out, I trust that the team is going to deliver. Paul Casey: Which is crucial for delegation, crucial for that. Yeah, and I also agree that we want to hire people, in whatever leadership position you're in, that you look forward to being with. That we don't think about going to a meeting with them and it's like, "Oh, I've got to go to a meeting with so-and-so." I heard it said that you want to hire people that you would choose to go to dinner with. That's one of the filters to look through and so, I love that. Paul Casey: Well, you have to think of your organization as the head of a nonprofit, you've got to look further out, long-term, you've got to look at the big picture, how do you do that, Justin? Justin Raffa: I have also historically been terrible at this, because I've often said, "I live in the present moment, and I'm just paying attention to what's in front of me." And as I approach turning 40 and coming into formal middle age I suppose, I feel like it's a big shift for me. Paul Casey: Yes. Justin Raffa: A lot of this, I think just comes with age that we become more experienced and it forces us to think ahead about what's next. When I was in my 20s, it didn't matter. I got a job for $4,000 a year. I'm not thinking about retirement or savings, it's like, "I'll spend it when I got it and have fun and I'll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow." But as I've worked in particular with the Mastersingers, if we have big goals, if we have big dreams about what we want our organizations to accomplish, if I don't want to keep working for the same 30ish thousand-dollar annual budget organization, we have to plan ahead. We have to set those goals because it does take a long time to get there. Justin Raffa: The choir's budget is now, just over $250,000 a year. And I'm so proud that we have built that here in the Tri-Cities. It can be done, a performing arts organization that thrived. At a time when, I was hired in the summer of 2008 in the midst of the big economic downturn that the country was facing where so many performing arts organizations were closing up shop, going bankrupt. You've got to set goals if you want to actually grow, and set your sights big, because I am. I want a big, bigger, better, bolder community. I want a bigger, better, bolder organization. And it's not something that I can do today or tomorrow, it takes the time to invest. Work with the team, set those big visions, because it's going to take a lot of time to get there, but you will, if you invest the time. Paul Casey: Well, congratulations for what has been built through you with the team, because that is phenomenal. Justin Raffa: Thank you. I'm proud of the role I've played, but it's because of the team. We got the right people on the bus when we need them. Paul Casey: That's right. And to use your macro/micro wording from earlier. So macro vision, the big goals, wanting to make this even more phenomenal than it is. What are the small acts of leadership in your role as artistic director? How do you make a positive difference in each one of your volunteers? Justin Raffa: When you and I went through LTC, we learned about five leadership traits in a particular system. And one that I had never really considered, because it's not important to me as an individual, is called encourage the heart. Paul Casey: Yep. Justin Raffa: And I think that conductors, classical music conductors are also notoriously terrible at this. We are trained to be pragmatic. We are fixing problems. And when something is correct, we just check it off the list and we move on. It's like, "What else needs to be fixed? Where else are the problems?" So I was so appreciative of my time in LTC that one of my biggest takeaways was stop and celebrate successes. And not just the big ones, once a year at the annual meeting, celebrate the little things, thank people, thank them more often than you think. Justin Raffa: And again, it's because I find that myself as an individual, that's not so important to me. I don't need a lot of lauds and thanks. I often say, "It's my job, I'm doing my job." But not everyone is like me. And of the diverse team and volunteers that I serve, it goes a long way in a rehearsal to stop and say, "Altos, that was really beautiful, thank you for that." And they look at me like, "Oh, my gosh." Because they're waiting for, "Altos, you're still singing the wrong note and I just don't know why." So this idea of encourage the heart, celebrate successes not just the big ones, and thank people often. Paul Casey: Thank people more than you think, I like that. Well, if one of our Tri-City influencer listeners asked you what are some leadership resources they must go to, it could be books, it could be podcasts, it could be other ways to grow their leadership skills, where would you point them? Justin Raffa: I used to be such an avid reader for pleasure, but now as a conductor, most of my "reading time" is spent studying music scores. But there are a couple of resources that I've enjoyed over the years as a leader. One of which I just mentioned, the leadership challenge, I believe is the formal concept that you and I studied in Leadership Tri-Cities and there's a book that came out with that. I very much enjoyed that book. It really changed my perspective on identifying those five key roles because two of them were very obvious to me. It's like, "I know I already do this pretty well, but the other three it's like, oh, I never really thought of that." So I certainly encourage people to read that. Justin Raffa: And the rest of my response, probably I would take this in a different direction than some of your other guests say, I think it's important for us here as leaders in the Tri-Cities to read the Tri-City Herald. I am a subscriber online, but we need to know what's happening in our community locally. And despite all the changes that the Herald has had in terms of staffing or the parent company that's in charge, they remain the best authority of local news. And I think it's important for us to know what's happening in our community on all these various fronts of business sectors and politics, because ultimately it is going to affect me and my organization. Justin Raffa: I think good leaders need to be aware of the big picture of what's happening in their community. Not just that I know all the latest arts and culture news, but that I'm aware of what's happening at PNNL and Hanford and on the tourism front, all those things come together. And support your local paper, right? We need good media. So be a subscriber to the Herald. It is a great resource. Justin Raffa: And then out for my daily walks, I usually listen to the New York Times, puts out a podcast called The Daily. It's about 30ish minutes, so it is the length of my walk. And that is focusing on different national issues, little 30ish-minute clips of what's going on nationally or even internationally what's happening in the world. And I have a lot of respect for The New York Times. I think it's a great publication. It's got a good team of people that are doing that investigative journalism that is not always guaranteed with a lot of our news and media sources these days. Justin Raffa: So those are things that I consume on a daily basis, in addition to reading lots of meeting minutes of city councils and other jurisdiction meetings, I try to keep myself up to speed on what local governments are doing. And since I can't attend every single meeting of every jurisdiction, I go back and read a lot of meeting minutes, which can be a little stale, but again, good to know what's going on? And what are our local elected officials? What are the decisions that they've been making for our community? Paul Casey: Great to stay aware. Good reminder. Well, finally, Justin, what advice would you give to new leaders or anyone who wants to keep growing and gaining more influence? Justin Raffa: Be present in the community, get out there and be visible, meet people. I continue to spend a lot of my work putting in time, getting out of the choir rehearsal, going to networking events and the chamber of commerce luncheons, any kind of communal gathering. I think it's important that I'm advocating for my organization, that I let people know that we exist. Justin Raffa: That was one of the biggest challenges when I moved here in the summer of 2008, as I was house hunting and people would say, "What brings you to Tri-Cities, you work in a Patel?" "No." "Are you hired by one of the Hanford contractors?" "No. I am the new artistic director of adult community choir called Mid-Columbia Mastersingers." And inevitably people said, "Who? Never heard of them." So I've had to build the profile of my organization. And a lot of that is just being present, getting out there. Justin Raffa: And getting out outside of your industry. We tend to cluster with people we know. All the arts and culture folks in town are good friends, they're in my social circle, I meet them at local watering holes, but sometimes we just become too insulated, right? All the doctors hang out with the doctors and all the lawyers hang out with the lawyers. We need to intersect those paths. Leadership Tri-Cities was a big help for me on that front. Some of my closest friends in my class were the most different from me and worked in sectors that are farthest removed from what I do as a musician. Justin Raffa: So get out there and meet people, meet people outside of your industry, and build your reputation that people know you to be a kind, compassionate and reliable person. Not just that, "Oh yeah, Justin is the quiet guy." Everybody knows that. They know I'm a music person, but I also hope that they know me to be kind and caring and reliable, that if I'm involved in a project or I've joined a board that I will deliver, I will show up when I'm given a task, I have a reputation for seeing it through. Build that community profile that people just don't think of you as, "Oh yeah, well, he's the CEO of this company." What beyond our titles do people know you for? I think that's so important, building those relationships, positive relationships with people. Paul Casey: Great reminders, to weave yourself into the fabric of your community and be that go-to dependable person. Well, Justin, how can our listeners best connect with you? Justin Raffa: Well, Paul as you and many know I did throw my hat in a political arena this past year. Paul Casey: Yes. Justin Raffa: I stood as a candidate for local office. If people are interested in engaging on those issues and just a lot of local community awareness, I do maintain a Facebook page called Elect Justin Raffa. I am not running for anything, I have not made any declarations, but I wanted to keep that page alive to just continue to talk about local community issues that I think are important. I also have a Twitter presence as well. You can follow me there, electjustinraffa. You can email me directly, it's info@justinraffa.com. My first and last name, R-A-F-F, as in Frank, A, is how I heard my mother pronounce my name for years over the phone, because inevitably the letter F might sound like a letter S. Paul Casey: And Justin, you probably also would love them to support the arts fundraisers in town as well, right? Justin Raffa: Yeah. In fact Mid-Columbia Arts Fundraiser is the name of an organization that supports not just my own, but some of our partners Mid-Columbia Ballet, Mid-Columbia Musical Theater, Mid-Columbia Symphony. There is such great art being made here in the Tri-City. Sometimes we're not so visible because we don't have a brick and mortar. We haven't built that performing arts center just yet. Maybe we'll talk about that next time. That's the long-term goal of mine that I will see through before I leave this community. We are going to get it done. Paul Casey: Yes, keep being a champion. Well, thanks for all you do to make the Tri-Cities a great place and keep leading well. Let me wrap up our podcast today with a leadership resource to recommend. He was one of the stalwarts in the personal development world, passed away several years ago, a guy by the name of Jim Rohm, jimrohn.com, J-I-M-R-O-H-N.com, and he lives on through his blog through The Success Academy, their resources, a team that just wants to keep getting his stuff out there. He was one of the personal development gurus of the 20th century. Stuff on goal setting, communication and leadership, all of my passions, you might want to hit up jimrohn.com to learn more. Paul Casey: Again, this is Paul Casey. I want to thank my guest, Justin Raffa from the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers for being here today on the Tri-Cities Influencer Podcast. And we want to thank our TCI sponsor and invite you to support them. We appreciate you making this possible so we can collaborate to inspire leaders in our community. Paul Casey: Finally, one more, a leadership tidbit for the road to help you make a difference in your circle of influence. Zig Ziglar said, "Outstanding people have one thing in common, an absolute sense of mission." And so next time KGF, keep growing forward. Speaker 2: Thank you to our listeners for tuning in to today's show. Paul Casey is on a mission to add value to leaders by providing practical tools and strategies that reduce stress in their lives and on their teams, so that they can enjoy life and leadership and experience their key desired results. If you'd like more help from Paul in your leadership development, connect with him at growingforward@paulcasey.org, for a consultation that can help you move past your current challenges and create a strategy for growing your life or your team forward. Speaker 2: Paul would also like to help you restore your sanity to your crazy schedule and getting your priorities done every day by offering you his free Control My Calendar Checklist, go to www.takebackmycalendar.com for that productivity tool, or open a text message 72000 and type the word 'growing'. Paul Casey: Tri-Cities Influencer podcast was recorded at Fuse SPC by Bill Wagner of Safe Strategies.

In this eleventh episode of "Meet the Musicians" Podcast, host Matthew LaPine has an energetic conversation with musician, Markos Kandilis. Markos is a multi-faceted performer, native Jersey Boy, and proud Greek-Italian American. The endless support of his family and community led him to an early entrance into the world of professional performance as a chorus member of the Metropolitan Opera House of New York City at the age of ten.His love and skill in performing were developed by participating in every choir, play, and musical available to him throughout his time in high school and at Westminster Choir College. He earned numerous accolades and leading roles, catching the attention of Royal Caribbean Productions who cast him as a Featured Soloist, Vocal Captain, and Headliner for their renowned fleet of shows.After seven years of performing at sea, Markos returned ashore to progress his career and life on land. He regularly trains with experts in the realms of voice, acting, and movement to sharpen his skills and enhance his performances in the booth and on the stage.You can learn more about Markos or collaborate with him through his website, markoskandilis.com."Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.

In this tenth episode of "Meet the Musicians" Podcast, our host Matthew LaPine again welcomes our guest host, Helen Kernizan, who continues our series of conversations discussing the issues of race with professional, classical musicians and music educators of color. Helen is Rise Up Chorus’s Youth Chorus Director, and she teaches music at the Township of Ocean Intermediate School in Ocean Township, NJ.Born in Southern California and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Carrie Compere attended Trenton public schools and graduated from Trenton Central High School. She briefly attended Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ.She began acting professionally in 2010 and has both stage and TV/Film experience. A few productions include:Broadway:The Color PurpleHoller If Ya Hear MeOff-Broadway:DaddySistas the Musical.1st National Tour:The Color PurpleShrek the MusicalFilm/TV“Many Saints of Newark” (2020)“Dead Men Tell No Lies” (2020)“The Crew” (Netflix)“City On A Hill” (Showtime)“Manifest” (NBC)“New Amsterdam” (NBC)“Seven Seconds” (Netflix)“NYC 22” (CBS)“Show Boat: Live at Lincoln Center” (PBS)Carrie is a wife of 22 years to her husband, Jerry, and a mother of their two children, Isaiah and Pneuma. Carrie continues to work as an actor but her most important job and commitment remains that of a wife and mother.Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.

The 2021 GRAMMY Awards are this weekend, and, for the first time, a Westminster grad participated in each of the five recordings nominated in the Best Choral Performance category. We recently spoke with five of the artists in that category about the nominated recordings.

In this episode I chat with Meghan Kennedy about using picture books in the music classroom. Meghan Kennedy is in her fourth year of teaching elementary school music. She has taught elementary general music (K-5) and chorus (3-5) for the past 3 years in Georgia. Before moving to Georgia, she taught elementary general music and band in New Jersey where she grew up and began her music journey with the flute in the third grade. Meghan attended the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College for her Bachelors in Music Education. While in college, Meghan spent her summers earning her Level I, II and III Kodaly Certification from Westminster Choir College. Through these experiences Meghan discovered that her passion for teaching lies in Elementary Music, which is where she feels she can be the most creative with her students. This passion for elementary music education mixed with her joy in connecting with other educators led Meghan to create her music teacher instagram a few years ago. You can follow along with Meghan @musicmrsk where she shares daily life as a music teacher, lesson ideas, materials and book recommendations (these are shared weekly in a series called "Music Book Monday"). She has also shared a series of rhythm call and response and play along videos on her YouTube channel MusicMrsK, which was created as part of an effort to create more free online resources for music educators in Spring 2020. In conjunction with her social media presence, Meghan loves working on her TeachersPayTeachers store in her free time, Music Mrs K. Her store features elementary general music curriculum, lesson plans, and both digital and printable lesson materials. Meghan loves connecting with other music educators online as Music Mrs.K! Links and Resources: Save 15% on used books with Thriftbooks Follow Meghan on Instagram Follow Meghan on Youtube Music Mrs. K TPT

Today, we welcome our first conductor to the podcast, Ming Luke. Ming holds a Master of Fine Arts in Conducting from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Piano Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. With a background in ballet himself, Ming has conducted for ballet performances around […] The post (203) Ming Luke, Principal Guest Conductor for the San Francisco Ballet and Principal Conductor of the Nashville Ballet appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.

In our first episode we talk to coach, conductor, and founder of Bel Canto Boot Camp, Rachelle Jonck. We touch on a wide variety of topics including practice mindset, how to be a more empowered singer, and the importance of community right now. We'll also learn more about her new Bel Canto Boot Camp program which she aptly calls "barre class for singers." Rachelle is a coach/conductor at Teatro Nuovo, is on the faculty at Westminster Choir College, coaches at the Palm Beach Opera young artist program, and is music director of Baltimore Concert Opera. Her full bio can be found here Learn more about Bel Canto Boot Camp and sign up here! Be sure to follow us on Instagram @youngartistpodcast to get in on the conversation! Special Thanks to Rachel Abrams for our logo design and to Nick Gish for composing our theme music! He did an amazing job bringing my crazy idea to full musical life! Please check out Nick's other work on his SoundCloud --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/youngartistpodcast/message

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #111! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is an American organist and harpsichordist Dr. Kathleen Scheide who has concertized as a harpsichord and organ soloist throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Russia, the Far East and Caribbean. She has received touring artist grants from the Arkansas Arts Council, California Arts Council, the American Embassies in Prague and Vienna, and the Czech Embassy in St. Petersburg. Dr. Scheide regularly performs chamber music with Le Meslange des Plaisirs and Voix seraphique on historic string keyboard instruments; and as Due Solisti (flute/organ) with Czech flutist Zofie Volalkova. Scheide earned degrees in early music (with honors) and organ performance (organ department prize) at New England Conservatory and the University of Southern California. Her teachers have included John Gibbons and Cherry Rhodes. She teaches harpsichord at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton, and teaches online and sometimes traditional classes for Rowan College at Burlington. She lives in a 17th-century stone house Wiggan, and plays organ in the 1740 stone barn at Church of the Loving Shepherd, Bournelyf, West Chester. A Founding Member of various early keyboard societies, Dr. Scheide was recently elected to a second term on the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Philadelphia Chapter., American Guild of Organists. She is also a Past Dean of the San Diego Chapter. Dr. Scheide is also a published composer with a significant discography. Her compositions have been made available through Darcey Press, E.C. Schirmer, Piano Press, Time Warner, Wayne Leupold and World Library. Current commissions include a piece for the 10th Anniversary of the Kimmel Center Organ. Her recordings are available on Dutch HLM, Organ Historical Society, Palatine and Raven labels. In this conversation, Dr. Scheide shares her insights about her fascination with the Nasard stop, Olivier Messiaen's cycle "L'Ascencion", "Labyrinth" by the Czeck composer Petr Eben, and her collaboration initiatives with chamber music. At the end she gives her 3 steps in becoming a better organist so make sure you listen to the very end. Enjoy and share your comments below. ​And don't forget to help spread the word about the SOP Podcast by sharing it with your organist friends. And if you like it, please head over to iTunes and leave a rating and review. This helps to get this podcast in front of more organists who would find it helpful. Thanks for caring. Listen to the conversation Related Link: http://kathleenscheide.com

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #98! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is an American organist Edward Landin who began his intensive musical training at the St. Thomas Choir School under the direction of Gerre Hancock. Upon his graduation from St. Thomas, he entered Interlochen Arts Academy where he began his organ studies as a student of Thomas Bara. After high school, he attended the Eastman School of Music for two years; he then transferred to Westminster Choir College where he completed his BM in organ performance as a student of Ken Cowan. While at Westminster, he also studied harpsichord with Kathleen Scheide. Further organ studies and coachings have been with Roberta Gary, David Higgs, Susan Landale, Marie-Louise Langlais, Kimberly Marshall, Paula Pugh Romanaux, Kathleen Scheide, and Carole Terry. Edward has been recently appointed Sub Dean of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Currently Assistant Director of Music at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, his duties include directing numerous children's and handbell choirs and serving as principal accompanist for the 65-member Sanctuary Choir. Edward has previously held positions in New York City (Christ Church, Methodist), Morristown, NJ (St. Peter's Episcopal Church) and in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia (Grace Epiphany Episcopal Church). In addition to recitals at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine and St. Thomas Church in New York City, and Old West Church, Boston, he has also performed in Germany and Wales as well as on the historic 18th century Andreas Silbermann organ in Strasbourg, France. Edward's achievements as a church musician and performer were most recently recognized when he was named as a member of the “Class of 2017” by The Diapason magazine's program, “20 under 30,” which lifts up young professionals in the world of organ, harpsichord, carillon, and church music. ​A major interest in contemporary organ music, particularly by American composers, led Edward to commission "E," "Fantasia," and "Parodies" by Kathleen Scheide; "Praeludium" and “Psalm 139” by Pamela Decker; "Prelude on the Carillon d'Alet" by Craig Phillips, and "Exordium" by Carson Cooman. A composer himself, “Flourishes and Reflections – Organ Music for Service or Recital” was recently released by Lorenz. ​ In this conversation, Edward and I talk about his organist career and about his graceful strategy of dedicating his own compositions to other organists and composers. Enjoy and share your comments below. ​And don't forget to help spread the word about the SOP Podcast by sharing it with your organist friends. Thanks for caring. ​ Related link: http://www.edwardlandin.com ​ PS If you want to achieve your organ related goals faster than you would be on your own, I invite you to try out my Total Organist membership program for free for 30 days: http://www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Alan Morrison is recognized as one of America's premier concert organists, performing in prestigious concert organ venues across the United States and in Canada, as well as in international festivals. Alan is currently the head of the organ department at The Curtis Institute of Music, and is a faculty member of Westminster Choir College and College Organist at Ursinus College. I had the good fortune of attending The Curtis Institute of Music at the same time as Alan Morrison, who in reality is a triple threat as an organist, collaborative pianist, and harpsichordist. Alan was a close friend of Fred Rogers, and even appeared on a few episodes of “Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood” back in 1994. If you don't know anything about the organ, you're in for a real treat with this interview, as Alan helps us unpack what all those thousands of buttons and switches do and all the components that make the organ the true “king of instruments”.  Links Alan's website: http://www.alanmorrison.us/  

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #66! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast Today's guest is organist and harpsichordist Gavin Black who is the Director of the Princeton Early Keyboard Center. Gavin is best known for his recordings of seventeenth-century keyboard music on the PGM label. He studied organ and harpsichord with Paul Jordan and Eugene Roan, and conducting with Jahja Ling and Otto-Werner Mueller, and attended Princeton University and Westminster Choir College. He served as Associate University Organist at Princeton from 1977 to1979, while a student there, and was Organist and Senior Choir Director at Hillsborough Reformed Church, Millstone, New Jersey, from 1988 until 1994. He has been a teacher of organ, harpsichord, clavichord and continuo-playing since 1979, teaching from time to time at Westminster Choir College and at the Westminster Conservatory of Music. He currently writes a monthly column on organ and harpsichord teaching for The Diapason. ​ As a performer, Gavin Black has focused on 17th-century keyboard music, especially music of Dutch, German, or Italian origin, and on the organ music of Bach, which he has performed in its entirety. In the year 2002 he performed Bach's Art of the Fugue on the new organ at the Princeton Theological Seminary, and elsewhere. His recording of harpsichord music of Sweelinck, played on a Philip Tyre copy of a Ruckers transposing double , was released in 2006 by Centaur Records (interesting online review here) and his recording of music of Frescobaldi played on a 17th century Italian harpsichord will also be released by Centaur. Gavin Black has also specialized in the music of the 20th-century American composer Moondog, recording a selection of his harpsichord music for the Musical Heritage Society in 1978. He has made a specialty of Bach's Art of the Fugue, and has recently recorded that work in a version for two harpsichords, with George Hazelrigg (see The Art of the Fugue.com) Gavin Black has also been a founding member of several chamber ensembles, including the Princeton Baroque Ensemble, Whitechapel Baroque, and Channel Crossings. He is currently the continuo player for the ensemble Col Legno. ​In this conversation Gavin shares his insights about teaching so if you're a teacher or a student of harpsichord or organ, I hope you will find this conversation inspiring. It's a rather long episode but we didn't want to split it into two parts because listening to it all (maybe not in one sitting) will be worth it. Enjoy and share your comments below. ​ And don't forget to help spread the word about the SOP Podcast by sharing it with your organist friends. Thanks for caring. Related links: http://www.gavinblack-baroque.com ​Princeton Early Keyboard Center: http://www.pekc.org http://​www.thediapason.com

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #64! http://www.organduo.lt/podcast ​Today's guest is Robert McCormick who is the Organist and Choirmaster at Saint Mark's Church, Philadelphia. Prior to this apointment he was the Director of Music at St. Paul's Parish, Washington DC. Just recently Robert signed the contract with Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, LLC. A summa cum laude graduate in organ performance from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J., McCormick has received numerous awards. He is a frequent concert artist in such prestigious venues as the Great Organists Series at St. John's Cathedral in Albuquerque, N.M., the New York City Pipe Organ Encounters and the Atlanta Summer Organ Festival, among others. ​Known for his ability in organ improvisation, McCormick was a semi-finalist in the St. Alban's International Organ Festival Improvisation Competition. ​In this conversation Robert shares his insights about the art of organ improvisation. ​Enjoy and share your comments below. ​ And don't forget to help spread the word about the SOP Podcast by sharing it with your organist friends. Thanks for caring. Relevant links: http://​www.saintmarksphiladelphia.org http://​www.concertartists.com