Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Guests: Anna S. Demerjian and Artyom Manukyan In this episode we talk about Zartonk Academy with Anna and Artyom. Anna is the Development Director of Zartonk Academy and Artyom is a cellist, composer, and rapper who will be teaching at the academy. This year, the Academy will be based in Artsakh with renowned artists and educators. Learn about Zartonk Academy and Donate here: https://www.atkenarmenianfoundation.c... © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 20...
Jun 06, 2022•31 min•Ep. 145
Joseph Bohigian is a composer and performer whose cross-cultural experience as an Armenian-American is a defining message in his music. His work explores the expression of exile, cultural reunification, and identity maintenance in diaspora. His music, described as “delightfully accessible and inventive” (SoundWordSight), has been heard around the world at the Oregon Bach Festival, June in Buffalo, Walt Disney Concert Hall, New Music on the Point Festival, TENOR Conference (Melbourne), and Aram K...
Jan 26, 2021•31 min•Ep. 144
Ep. 143: Eugenia Forteza, opera singer and founder of 360 of Opera. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Eugenia Forteza joins the podcast for a second time during the pandemic (recorded on Dec. 21, 2020). In this podcast we talk about Eugenia's busy schedule during the pandemic, what various arts organizations have done during this time, getting married and much more. Eugenia is the founder of 360 of Opera which has a tremendous following in the opera world and beyond. Eugenia curre...
Jan 13, 2021•48 min•Ep. 143
Ep. 142: Joe Kinzer, ethnographer, archivist, and ethnomusicologist Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. From Joe Kinzer's website: I am an ethnographer, archivist, and ethnomusicologist specializing in issues of identity and religious expression in Asian musical contexts. I am the Senior Curatorial Assistant in the Archive of World Music at Harvard’s Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, as well as an Affiliate Faculty member at Antioch University. My work focuses on musicians, audiences, an...
Dec 16, 2020•42 min•Ep. 142
Ep. 141: David Korevaar, "You can access the world, it's not easy to reach the world..." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Korevaar talks about his studies with Earl Wild and David Diamond, recordings, teachings and much more. Hailed for his “wonderfully warm, pliant, spontaneous playing” by the Washington Post, award winning pianist David Korevaar is in demand as a soloist, chamber musician and collaborator. Korevaar has performed and given master classes througho...
Dec 08, 2020•47 min•Ep. 141
Ep. 140: Leslie Mandoki, "Music is the greatest unifier.." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode rockstar Leslie Mandoki talks about his early years in Hungary, being a refugee in Germany and eventual rise to stardom. In 1991, Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, and Al Di Meola became founding members of Leslie Mandoki’s band project ManDoki Soulmates, and for almost three decades, Leslie Mandoki has continued to unite a “who is who” of the icons of Anglo-American and European r...
Nov 30, 2020•47 min•Ep. 140
Ep. 139: Rose Gear, executive director and bassist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Rose speaks about her passion for hiking, capoeira, professional career as a bassist, move to PNW to work with the Seattle Symphony and Ludovic Morlot, finding a new bass, working as a Executive Director and more. Rose Gear, an experienced music and arts administrator, business professional and musician, has been appointed full-time executive director of the Cascade Symphony Orche...
Nov 23, 2020•39 min•Ep. 139
In this episode Jovino speaks about his long relationship with Hermeto Pascoal, background in biology, teaching, composing and performing. We also talk about Pascoal's boxing encounter with Miles Davis and much more. Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians working today. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal. He...
Nov 17, 2020•50 min•Ep. 138
Ep. 137: Joseph Young, conductor. "Don't wait for people to open doors for you." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Joseph talks about his early career as a high school band conductor, studying with Marin Alsop at the the Cabrillo Festival, attending the Peabody Conservatory and working as an assistant at the Baltimore Symphony. He also speaks about New Music USA, Amplifying Voices, conducting competitions, running, yoga, working with Robert Spano, stepping in to co...
Nov 02, 2020•41 min•Ep. 137
Ep. 136: Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Vanessa Reed is excited to be joining New Music USA as President and CEO following just over a decade with PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading funder of new music and talent development. During her time at this specialist new music agency, Vanessa significantly increased support available to diverse music creators at critical stages in their careers and repositioned the Foundation as internat...
Oct 26, 2020•43 min•Ep. 136
Ep. 135: Teni Odabashian, non-musical guest. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. This is the first time in over 130 that I am featuring a guest who is not a musician. Teni has been one of the early supporters of the podcast and it was a pleasure to speak with her on the show. In this episode Teni talks about being a working mom, traveling, treasured possessions, Paul McCartney, Charles Aznavour, listening to music with her father, Armenian heritage, growing up in LA and much more. ©...
Oct 26, 2020•30 min•Ep. 135
Ep. 134: THE RECAP with George Jackson, principal guest contributor. This the second episode of the RECAP series with conductor George Jackson. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast we talk about the state of orchestras during the pandemic, positives and negatives of state sponsored orchestra, blind auditions, repertoire for chamber orchestra and more. We also talk about past composers we would have enjoyed corresponding with. For more information about George Jackson ...
Oct 19, 2020•38 min•Ep. 134
Ep. 133: Abo Gumroyan, Grammy winning bassist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Grammy Award-winning electric and double bassist Abe Gumroyan crosses musical borders on a daily basis. His diverse musical background has allowed him to perform a wide range of genres ranging from salsa and Latin jazz to traditional Armenian and ethnic fusion to classical. The son of Armenian immigrants, Abe was born in Los Angeles, CA and began double bass studies at the age of 9. A frequent guest w...
Oct 12, 2020•56 min•Ep. 133
Colorado-based conductor Jeremy D. Cuebas is quickly establishing himself as a symphonic, operatic, and contemporary musician in the Denver area. He acts as assistant conductor with the Fort Collins Symphony, will soon be starting as the first assistant conductor with the Aurora Symphony, and is regularly invited to lead ensembles as diverse as, Opera Fort Collins, the It Could Be Anything new music ensemble, and the Boulder Concert Band. Jeremy is the founder and co-host of Podium Time, a podca...
Sep 28, 2020•35 min•Ep. 132
Ep. 131: Harp and Plow, Americana duo. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Harp & Plow is a husband-and-wife Americana duo that combines a classically trained harpist and a blues-based guitarist, singer/songwriter. These talents create a unique, musical experience that explores American roots music with a modern approach. DEBUT SINGLE “Pastures of Plenty” is now available on all digital platforms! https://song.link/x47C3PthKFv84 For more information about Harp and Plow please vi...
Sep 21, 2020•38 min•Ep. 131
Evan Meccarello was recently appointed Music Director of the Binghamton Community Orchestra. Meccarello is committed to new explorations in classical music and engaging with communities across the Northeast. Meccarello is committed to new explorations in classical music and engaging with communities across the Northeast. Meccarello’s conducting experience spans professional, collegiate, youth, and civic ensembles. Based in Rochester, he is Founder and Director of the Hochstein Alumni Orchestra, ...
Sep 14, 2020•36 min•Ep. 130
Acclaimed for her ‘sterling tone’ in the New York Times, Kris Kwapis appears regularly as soloist and principal trumpet with period-instrument ensembles across North America, including Portland Baroque Orchestra, Early Music Vancouver, Pacific MusicWorks, Bach Collegium San Diego, Staunton Music Festival, Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, Chicago’s Haymarket Opera Company, Tafelmusik, Bach Society of Minnesota, Oregon Bach Festival, Callipygian Players, Bourbon Baroque, and Lyra Baroque, making mu...
Sep 06, 2020•48 min•Ep. 129
Ep. 128: Brian Kai Chin, musician, educator, and cultural entrepreneur. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Brian Kai Chin is a musician, educator, and cultural entrepreneur. Trained in western classical, jazz, and world traditions, Brian’s musical focus is only part of his larger vision as the founder and Executive Director of Common Tone Arts and the Chair of the Music Department at Seattle Pacific University. With a wide array of musical activity, Brian moves seamlessly between s...
Aug 31, 2020•48 min•Ep. 128
Ep. 127: Stephen Williamson, principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony. In this podcast we talk about Williamson's journey from the Metropolitan Opera to Chicago Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. He talks about playing jazz piano, starting the saxophone before switching to clarinet, playing principal clarinet as a sophomore at the Eastman School of Music, having four chances to audition for the Chicago Symphony, family, weightlifting and much more! Stephen Williamson is the principal c...
Aug 26, 2020•53 min•Ep. 127
Grammy award-winning conductor Michael Christie, newly appointed Music Director of the New West Symphony, is a thoughtfully innovative conductor, equally at home in the symphonic and opera worlds, who is focused on making the audience experience at his performances entertaining, enlightening, and enriching. Christie won a 2019 Grammy Award (Best Opera Recording) for the world premiere recording of Mason Bates’ The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs with The Santa Fe Opera (PENTATONE), and was featured i...
Aug 23, 2020•45 min•Ep. 126
Ep. 125: Donato Cabrera, conductor. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Donato Cabrera is the Music Director of the California Symphony and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. He served as the Resident Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony and the Wattis Foundation Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2009-2016. Cabrera is one of only a handful of conductors in history who has conducted performances with the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, and the...
Aug 20, 2020•52 min•Ep. 125
Ep. 123: JoAnn Falletta, Grammy-winning conductor. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast JoAnn Falletta talks about working with composers, programming, staying connected with the audience during the pandemic, advice to young musicians, and much more. Grammy-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta serves as Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center and Artistic Adviser of the...
Aug 17, 2020•39 min•Ep. 123
Ep. 123: Lisa Bielawa, composer and vocalist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast Bielawa talks about a recent project called Broadcast from Home, work with Philip Glass, time at Yale, various major projects and much more. Composer, producer, and vocalist Lisa Bielawa is a Rome Prize winner in Musical Composition and takes inspiration for her work from literary sources and close artistic collaborations. Her music has been described as “ruminative, pointillistic and h...
Aug 13, 2020•37 min•Ep. 123
Ep. 122: Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode we talk about their new album, working with Leo Brouwer, commissions, hobbies, working in time of a pandemic and much more. Hailed as a “revelation to hear” by The Washington Post, the Newman & Oltman Guitar Duo’s phenomenal musicianship places them solidly at the top of their field. Their innovative programming, matchless technique and ensemble precision, combined with their commitment ...
Aug 10, 2020•46 min•Ep. 122
Aug 05, 2020•41 min•Ep. 121
Ep. 120: Bob Lord, CEO of PARMA Recordings Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Bob Lord talks about building the PARMA Recordings, job of a CEO, journey as a bassist and his new single. He also discusses the future of his company, memorable collaborations, and much more. Bob Lord is a producer, composer, bassist and CEO of PARMA Recordings, the New Hampshire-based audio production house and parent company of the Navona, Ravello, Big Round, MMC, Capstone, and Ansonica...
Aug 01, 2020•41 min•Ep. 120
Ep. 119: Yiğit Kolat, composer. Winner of the Takemitsu Composition Award (1st prize). Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast Kolat talks about his education in Turkey, folk music, his compositional process, success in music competitions and much more! Yiğit Kolat is a musician, a soundmaker, and researcher. He studied the craft with some excellent musicians and soundmakers and has had the chance to share it with some excellent musicians and soundmakers. In the process,...
Jul 30, 2020•50 min•Ep. 119
Ep. 118: Christopher Theofanidis, composer Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Mr. Theofanidis talks about his collaborations with Robert Spano, Sarah Chang, his most performed work the Rainbow Body, and working with soloists on a commissioned works. He also talks about scuba diving, cooking, having pieces performed more than once and much more. CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS (b. 12/18/67 in Dallas, Texas) has had performances by many leading orchestras from around the worl...
Jul 27, 2020•39 min•Ep. 118
Ep. 117: Jimmie Herrod, artist and performer. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast we talk about Jimmie's work with the Pink Martini, touring, music education and much more! Jimmie Herrod is a Pacific Northwest-based artist and performer who now splits time between Portland, Oregon and Paris, France. He holds a Bachelors of Music degree in music composition and performance from Cornish, and a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from Portland State University. While he cu...
Jul 23, 2020•43 min•Ep. 117
Ep. 116: Invencia Piano Duo. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast we talk about the many recordings by the duo, Florent Schmitt, martial arts, working during covid-19 and much more. If the name sounds familiar to you, it could be you have read any of the number of reviews featured in the American Record Guide, International Record Review, Fanfare, Classica, International Piano, PianoNEWS, and BBC Music magazines, among others. Founded in 2003 by Andrey Kasparov and Ok...
Jul 20, 2020•59 min•Ep. 116
