Norman Carey faculty and administrator from the CUNY Graduate Center joined us in the studio to talk about his journey from pianist to theorist. He wears many hats and most identifies with his career as a pianist. After two performance degrees he pursued his Doctorate in Music Theory. We talked about; the distinction between a composer and theorist and how this was formed in the United States, the performer/theorist division and how curriculums can be more connective, the challenges of teaching ...
May 02, 2016•51 min
About our Interview with: Director/Choreographer Connor Gallagher. Currently, Connor’s work can be seen in Roundabout’s Off Broadway production of THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, starring Steven Pasquale, as well as in the Disney Cruise Line hit TANGLED. Connor sat down with us to chat about his path to becoming a director and choreographer, including how his time as a performer in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST really helped open doors that were solidly shut before. We also talked about how his dance teacher (who...
Apr 25, 2016•40 min
Ronnie Oliver, Choral Conductor talked with us about his path to his career. Thinking he would pursue architecture in college he soon realized his love of music would be his path. Graduating college as a music education and voice major he continued his education with Dr. Ken Davis at Texas Tech University for his masters and doctorate degrees. We talked about teaching undergraduate and graduate conducting, the differences between working with professional and amateur choirs, what he listens for ...
Apr 18, 2016•46 min
About our Interview with Christian Sebek. After more than 1500 performances playing Piangi in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Christian sat down to tell us his fascinating journey into the world of opera and eventually into the one musical theatre’s greatest characters. Originally on the path of technical design in theatre, Christian didn’t discover his singing voice until college. Even more interesting was his voice change that transitioned him from being a robust baritone to a tenor. Christian is a ...
Apr 11, 2016•51 min
Voice Teacher, Beth Roberts, faculty at the Mannes College of Music, always knew she wanted to be a teacher, she studied music education as well as vocal performance and made an effortless transition from performer to voice teacher. We discussed; her rules for teaching various voice ranges, her path to teaching voice, her performance career, apprentice performance programs, what she looks for in young singers, how to audition, the importance of being a ‘good’ colleague, her work with the Metropo...
Apr 04, 2016•51 min
About our Interview with Paul Alexander Nolan. Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s BRIGHT STAR just opened on Broadway, and we had the pleasure of having Paul, who stars as Jimmy Ray Dobbs, in the studio just after previews began. Paul was great fun in this interview. His charming, down to earth style really comes through in our chat. He talks about shamefully crying on an airplane as he first read the script for BRIGHT STAR, as well as “bombing” his first audition for the show. We also talk about ...
Mar 29, 2016•48 min
Violinist, Daniel Andai talked with us about his pathway to his current career as concertmaster for the Miami Symphony, Dean of Music at the New World School of the Arts and Artistic Director of the Killington Music Festival. Following his instincts to follow opportunities that came his way he has created a multifaceted career. We talked about his; mentors, finding his way to conducting, his thesis “A Contemporary Approach to Orchestral Bowings for the Concertmaster”, his work with chamber music...
Mar 21, 2016•47 min
About our Interview with Lorin Latarro: Choreographer Lorin Latarro was 2 weeks into the rehearsal process for the highly anticipated new musical by Sara Bareilles: WAITRESS when she sat down with us in the studio. Lorin tells a great story involving Barry Weissler, and Diane Paulus and how she actually got the job to be the choreographer for the new musical. While she says she’s “lucky” to have had so many successful working collaborations, it is clear to us that talent and her great personalit...
Mar 14, 2016•40 min
Accordionist, Carl Riehl, joined us in the studio to share his story of a dual career as a Lawyer and Musician. Composer of three off Broadway musicals and commercial jingles, he always followed his mantra to pursue any interesting opportunity that comes along that he can do or learn how to do. He talked about; his transition from classical piano to the accordion, his current instrument choice, how he landed the “An American in Paris” gig, the accordionist network in Manhattan, physical injuries...
Mar 07, 2016•43 min
About our Interview with Suzzanne Douglas: Suzzanne has a long list of credits that cover film, television, opera, and the stage. She has won awards, and worked with icons such as Gregory Hines, and Sammy Davis Jr. A self proclaimed “Life long learner,” she recently graduated from Manhattan School of Music while approaching the age of 60. Her life experience and new musical tools have allowed her to open up yet another chapter as she just recently signed with a label and is now having her album ...
Feb 29, 2016•49 min
Alex Bender, freelance Trumpeter joined us in the studio, we started by talking about custom mouthpieces then moved quickly into equipment and how he started playing the trumpet. He shared his childhood memories of his exposure to music which forged his love for playing all styles of music. He always knew he wanted to be in New York City playing on Broadway since 8th grade, this goal allowed him to direct his path to his current career. Being accepted for a Masters in orchestral trumpet at the M...
Feb 22, 2016•42 min
About our Interview with Producer, Ryan Hugh Mackey. He’s already got a Tony in the bag for his work with A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, but you will have to listen in to find out why he has yet to touch the actual award and why he hasn’t made any money off of it yet. We had Ryan in the studio to start off a multi-part series, The Road to Broadway: From Commission to the Tony’s that will document the ups and downs of producing a show all the way from its infancy to hopefully award seaso...
Feb 16, 2016•39 min
Udo Zimmermann, Church Musician, started at age 15 playing the organ in his local church and then made his way to Studium der Kirchenmusik in Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany and later to Frankfurt am Main University becoming a church musician which means studying singing, organ and conducting. He is now head of Church Music (organist) at Pfarrei St. Peter and Paul in Zurich Switzerland. We talked about the path in Germany/Switzerland for a church musician, what they study and the skills they need ...
Feb 08, 2016•42 min
Catherine Cho, Musician, Violinist, Teacher, and Performer chatted with us about her teaching and performance focus. As a teacher she focuses on the ‘total person’, ‘how to practice’ and developing a balance in life between practicing and life. From her own experience preparing for competitions she offers her current students a view of the full picture of how to become a well rounded performer and competitor. We talked about the process of learning of undergraduate and graduate student and how s...
Jan 25, 2016•45 min
About our Interview with Dan Knechtges: Dan Knechtges (“connect-us” he graciously explained). Dan is a Tony nominated choreographer, who also loves directing, and could not have been more fun for us to hang out with. He sat down with us in the studio to explain his very “A CHORUS LINE” story of going from a nine year old boy stealing the spot light in his sister’s dance class, to choreographing basement shows to Mozart, to eventually earning a Tony nomination for his work on XANADU. Of course th...
Jan 15, 2016•58 min
About our Interview with Max Joseph: Fresh of his Off Broadway debut, Max sat down with us to chat about his experience in MAD LIBS LIVE at New World Stages. Being no stranger to children shows, Max also talks about one of the toughest experiences in his life being cast in Theatreworks USA’s CURIOUS GEORGE. We really do have a lot of laughs chatting about car totaling wrecks, rendezvous in St. Louis, and of all people: John Cena, an idol of his. Listen in to find out Max’s dream roles, why he no...
Jan 15, 2016•46 min
Denson Paul Pollard, Bass Trombonist of the MET Opera Orchestra, talked with us about his most recent sabbatical leave to play with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Helsinki Finland. He took the audition after spending a few weeks playing with the orchestra, taking the risk along with 50 other bass trombonists he won the audition. The year was a superb experience, he talked about how the culture in Finland values and supports the arts, and how his experience of auditioning again gave him the oppo...
Jan 11, 2016•42 min
Woodwind Quintet “Windscape” members, Tara Helen O’Connor, Randall Ellis, Alan R. Kay, David Jolley and Frank Morelli joined us for a lively conversations about their collaboration for over two decades of performing. We talked about their start, their first program and how they became associated with the Manhattan School of Music. Known for their thematic programing, they discuss how they; create arrangements, the process in road testing their new arrangements, finding new music, create programs...
Jan 04, 2016•55 min
About our Interview with French Hornist, Tony Cecere, is a freelancer in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania areas. He has played with the New Jersey Symphony, New Orleans Symphony, American Chamber Players, Bach Choir in Bethlehem, PA., is a current member of the Philadelphia Brass, plays on Broadway and is a substitute with the MET Opera Orchestra. We talked about; his career and vast experience, how his playing has changed along with his career, what the challenges are within different ens...
Dec 28, 2015•50 min
About our Interview with Caroline Kaiser. This week we chatted with the former Casting Director/Associate Artistic Director of Theatreworks USA, Caroline Kaiser. Caroline is self professed “musical theatre nerd.” She started out acting and quickly learned she understood the business side of show business for more than she loved the politics of performing. Listen in as she talks about getting her start with Jay Binder Casting, her time at Theatreworks, and what’s next. Caroline is truly a casting...
Dec 21, 2015•52 min
About our Interview with Composer, arranger, orchestrator and pianist, Miho Hazama joined us in the studio to talk about her path to finding her mix between classical and jazz music. Currently, she is a New York City based jazz composer traveling the world performing her music. Starting as a pianist, her early studies in electronic organ later helped her with orchestration. From the age of 7 she started to study composition and later her interest in jazz started from listening to all types of mu...
Dec 14, 2015•38 min
About our Interview with This week we chat with Adam Kantor who is currently in previews of Fiddler On The Roof, playing the role of Motel. Adam talks about the challenges of finding his way in creating a role for an original Broadway revival. He also discusses traveling to Eastern Europe as both a personal journey as well as preparation for bringing more honesty to his portrayal of Motel. We also discuss reminding yourself that “You are enough,” even at times when you don’t feel that way. Adam ...
Nov 22, 2015•51 min
About our Interview with Violist David Creswell, talked to us about his path to being a very active freelancer in New York City, from Broadway to the New Philharmonic. He shares his love of how the viola can be the conduit of so much color in an ensemble and how he followed his career goals to pursue an orchestral career. Personal connections and auditions lead to him establishing a network and the skills needed to be successful in freelancing. The pros and cons of a permanent job and the divers...
Nov 22, 2015•43 min
About our Interview with This week we sat down with the incredibly talented and grounded TONY nominated actress, Montego Glover. Listen in as Montego talks about creating a role vs. stepping into a role such as Les Miserable’s Fantine. She also gives a great deal of advise that has helped her succeed including: being “willing to suck” at first, finding YOUR light in auditions-not theirs, and some wisdom passed on from her father… “ Do not let anyone pull you off your path.” Prioritizing and sche...
Nov 09, 2015•48 min
About our Interview with Dean LeBlanc Dean LeBlanc, associate clarinetist at the Metropolitan Opera and freelancer joined us for a lively conversation about so many aspects of clarinet playing. We talked about the various instruments he plays, mouthpieces, C-clarinets, reeds, bells, playing in a section, playing in varying acoustics, barrels, freelancing on Broadway, adjusting to various acoustics and how he started his freelance career. Links to learn more http://www.metorchestramusicians.org/d...
Nov 09, 2015•56 min
About our Interview with This week we chat with Joshua Gonzales who happens to be a cast mate of our very own Ryan Michael Hartman. They both join us in the studio to discuss their experience touring the country in the Theatreworks USA tour Teacher From The Black Lagoon. Listen in as Joshua discusses the unique challenges of being a replacement with very little time to prepare. We also share some good laughs as they recall the ups and downs of traveling the country in a work van and Prius, to en...
Oct 26, 2015•47 min
About our Interview with Michelle Baker Michelle Baker, second horn at the Metropolitan Opera for the past 25 years, detailed her job description and her role in the horn section. We talked about the brands of horns the members of the section play, the daily challenges of keeping up the “chops,” her warm up method and daily maintenance plan, how she maintains playing when taking time off and returning to playing, her learning plan for the new seasons repertoire, how to figure out what works best...
Oct 18, 2015•40 min
About our Interview with Dashaun Young Currently in the 1st national tour of Beautiful, friend of the show Dashaun Young sits down with us in the studio to talk about his journey to Broadway. From his first big breaks, to playing Simba in The Lion King on Broadway, Tour, The West End, and Vegas, Dashaun has built quite an impressive resume and at quite a young age. Listen in for some tips that he feels has been crucial to his success. We also discuss what is next for Dashaun and have a little fu...
Oct 12, 2015•47 min
About our Interview with Warren Jones Collaborative Pianist Warren Jones talked with us about his journey to achieving his career. Crucial to this process was his focus early on in his education to choose electives and courses in college that would help him to achieve these goals. We talked about, the difference between accompanying instrumentalists and singers, how music is made, necessary skills for collaborative pianist, how to learn these skills, importance of language skills and he shared m...
Oct 06, 2015•37 min
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Sep 07, 2015•17 min
