On todays episode, we interview world renown baritone singer, Lucia Lucas. We talk with her about her life, how she got into opera, studying french horn, and how being a transgender opera singer has added more depth to her portrayals of some of the greatest villains such as Don Giovanni. She also has some inspiring words for anyone feeling like they can’t be their true selves and the freedom they will have once they have had personal acceptance first. Guest: Lucia Lucas Personal Links: Personal ...
Apr 11, 2022•57 min•Ep. 52
Today we have the absolute pleasure and honor of talking to rising classical music star composer, Jimmy Lopez. We discuss his humble beginnings in Lima, Peru, his education in Finland and California, and his advice for composers that want to have performances of their music but are finding many doors closed in their faces. We also talk about how he found his own voice while thousands of miles away from home. Personal Links: Personal Website - www.jimmylopez.com Twitter - @jlopezbellido Instagram...
Mar 28, 2022•45 min•Ep. 50
Today we talk with Steve Marz! Steve is a musician originally from Boston and making his way with some great songs. We talk about religion, the infamous Boston accent, the bands he played with, moving to Denver, being true to oneself, and being a performer in a pandemic world. We talk about being grateful during the hardest times and how music is one of the best forms of catharsis. Steve is a wonderful songwriter with his first album “Pathways” to be released soon after being recording in Chicag...
Feb 14, 2022•48 min•Ep. 51
Today we have a wonderful episode with the suddenly viral and extremely humble, Louie Benson, a.k.a. Team Louie. We discuss his attempted stand up comic career, how he got into music, his love for rap, his alter ego The Party Planner, and, ultimately, how overnight he became a viral sensation. Louie is an amazingly humble person and a complete crack up. We know that you will love this episode and he will definitely be someone that we look forward to hearing more from. Guest: Louie Benson, a.k.a....
Jan 31, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 49
We are back with another amazing episode and inspiring interview with the Tik Tok star and core figure to the band Vattica, Alex Millar. Today we talk to Alex about life, music, and Tik Tok video success. Alex is best known for the segment, Self Made is a Toxic Myth, where Alex debunks the American myth that if you work hard enough you will make it to the top of the music world by yourself. Alex is inspiring, and truly gets Hillary and I going about helping out our musical world and treating it ...
Jan 19, 2022•59 min•Ep. 48
Today we have the great honor to introduce and talk with a young rapper from New York, King Konye, as well as have a guest co-host, Abigail Montgomery. We get to talk with King about his musical dreams, creating a following, and dive deeper into what he enjoys in life. Thank you so much King and thank you Abigail for jumping in and helping out. Guest: King Konye Music Included in this Episode: The Trial from the album The Four Idols performed and composed by Austin Franklin © Austin Franklin 202...
Dec 17, 2021•58 min•Ep. 47
In this episode we have the wonderful honor to talk to Dr. Doug Bielmeier. We get to talk with him about electronic and electroacoustic music. We also talk about his brand new record out “Ambient Works”, his previous albums, and the importance of the genre in the musical world. Not only is Doug a wonderful composer but he is also a host of his own podcast. Make sure to check it out with the link in the artists profile! Guest: Doug Bielmeier Personal Links: Website - www.dougbielmeier.com Podcast...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Today we are in Baltimore speaking with singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and all around inspiration Anthony Parker, a.k.a. Wordsmith. We speak to him about being a military child, writing hip-hop music that is relatable for those that haven't grown up in the quintessential neighborhoods, using your position for positive change, and much more. Anthony also drops volumes of knowledge on us about music, life, and in general. We also speak with Anthony about his collaboration with the Bal...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 45
Today we have the honor of speaking with conductor/arranger YoonJae Lee! YoonJae is a Korean American and currently lives in New York City. We talk with YoonJae about discussing musical topics and mental health on Clubhouse, connectivity of classical music, individuality versus group, music appreciation, arranging the giant Mahler symphonies for chamber orchestras, and his fantastic group Ensemble 212. YoonJae is a wonderful conductor, a musical activist, and a self described “art”-repreneur. Ma...
Aug 02, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 44
Today we are in the Maryland/Virginia area speaking with the lead singer of Any Given Sin - Vic Ritchie! We talk with him about our mutual friend (and previous guest) Dusty Grant, the formation of Any Given Sin, Vic’s song writing process, our favorite beers/liquor, practicing and producing music during the pandemic, talk about hip-hop and rock music, as well as trash on Drake. This episode was a blast to do and Vic was wonderful! Make sure you check him and Any Given Sin out on the YouTube link...
Jul 26, 2021•44 min•Ep. 43
Welcome to the Big Apple! We have a very special guest and special host today! Our special co-host today is Abigail Montgomery, Bill’s wife. And we are talking with composer Tom Morrison. He is a good friend of Hillary’s from the University of Montana where he started as a forestry major but then quickly found a place within the music studies. Hillary, Abbie, and Tom chat about readjusting to the city, cheating on your therapist, Tom’s piece Big Sky Music, creating poetry with A.I., flashbacks t...
Jul 19, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 42
Welcome to Sousse, Tunisia! Today we speak with the fascinating and so humble rapper, Marwan Mrag. He started as a b-boy with numerous groups and eventually worked up to being featured with other rappers from around the Tunisian area. We saw him featured on a song via Instagram and knew we had to know more about him. This is his first ever interview outside of Tunisia and we couldn't more excited and honored to be a part of his rise! Marwan's flow is insane and he mixes Tunisian, Arabic, and Eng...
Jul 12, 2021•46 min•Ep. 41
We have come to the deep south where we have the wonderful opportunity to speak with Austin Franklin. Austin is from Jasper, Texas, by way of Oklahoma, but went on to Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and is currently at Louisiana State University where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Experimental Music and Digital Media. His music is ethereal, sublime, serene, and tense. We discuss his early life in music and how he came to be a composer. We also talk about his album recently released, The Four Id...
Jul 05, 2021•53 min•Ep. 40
We are in the Great White North speaking with teacher and business woman Glory St. Germain. Glory St. Germain is the Founder/CEO and International Bestselling Author 50+ Ultimate Music Theory Books & The Power of WHY. She is also the Host of the Magic of Music Movement Summits, Expert Coach & Course Creator - UMTC Elite Educator Program. Glory brings remarkably successful teaching experience to the development of the Ultimate Music Theory Program, Ultimate Music Teachers Membership, and ...
Jun 28, 2021•59 min•Ep. 39
Today we are in Oklahoma where we have the distinct honor of speaking with Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate and premiering the first part of a two part interview. Jerod is a member of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma and proudly represents his traditions. He is also a wonderfully gifted composer and performer that works to combine his Native American traditional music upbringing with a Western Classical Music education. We talk about this duality and living in this gray area of music fusion, his fam...
Jun 21, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 38
We are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in our latest episode. We get to connect with Bill’s old college friend Ulises Ramirez. We talk with him about his musical upbringing, playing drums/trumpet, the pressures of growing up as the child of immigrants, and mariachi music. From his upbringing in Montana/Idaho to being thrown in to the deep end at University of Indiana in Bloomington, we discover a rich history and talent that seems almost natural for Ulises. We find the difference between Norteno Mu...
Jun 14, 2021•58 min•Ep. 37
Today we are in Chicago talking with our dear friend and inspired vocal teacher, Liz Jackson Hearns. Liz Jackson Hearns, MM (she/her/they/them) is the Co-Founder of The Voice Lab, Inc. in Chicago; co-author of The Singing Teacher's Guide to Transgender Voices, Co-Founder of Resonate, Chicago's all-trans chorus; Co-Founder of Trans Turning Point, a wellness fair for trans/gnc folks and trans-owned businesses;, and a voice instructor specializing in trans and nonbinary voice. Singers and voice use...
Jun 07, 2021•51 min•Ep. 36
We have a very special guest here today from Japan, Shawn Renzoh Head. Born in St. Charles, Missouri, he began his musical education at 10 where he started on viola. He was introduced to music composition quickly after and began composing for ensembles at 15. Within a year, he had music performed throughout America and Europe. At 18, he discovered a passion for the shakuhachi while traveling throughout Asia. He soon became the youngest non-Japanese shakuhachi master in history. He earned his shi...
May 31, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 35
Our guest today, Tatev Amiryan, was born and raised in Armenia in the Caucus Mountains. She has received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in music composition and music theory at Tchaikovsky Special Music School and in composition and musicology at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia and holds a doctorate of music arts degree in music composition from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Drama. Her music is substantially influenced by traditional...
May 24, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 34
Our guest today is Dorothea Taylor. She was born and raised in Michigan and started playing drums at 13 when she joined a drum and bugle corps in her hometown. She got her first set of drums in high school and joined a band after she graduated, playing five nights a week. She started teaching drumline for her high school’s feeder program when she was 17 and has been teaching ever since. She has played in a variety of bands including polka, rock, theater groups, symphony orchestras, jazz trios, a...
May 17, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 33
We have a very special episode today. We get to talk to an amazing and up-and-coming musician Dusty Grant. We talk about his latest single "Through the Cracks", divorce, what is manly, jiu jitsu, being an artist in the modern world, Covid, and so much more! Make sure you go check him out and listen to all his music! You can find him on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, and many, many more. This will also be one of our very first multiple chapter episodes. Look for another, more relaxed chat with D...
May 03, 2021•40 min
Today is a very special episode and comes to you completely unedited. We meet Hillary’s dear friend, guitarist/bassist, and funny man Kurt Skrivseth. He was born and raised in Missoula, Montana, and overcame a sever spinal injury at birth to perform with some of the biggest names, including Snoop Dogg and Slash, and co-founded the punk-cabaret-rock-opera group Pale People. We came to this episode with an idea of questions and topics to cover but we are quickly sidetracked by Kurt, and our dirty ...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 36 min
We are in New York City again and we have the wonderful opportunity to talk with Annie Nikunen. born in Northport, New York, and now lives in New York City. She received a BA in music theory and composition at Barnard College/ Columbia University, and pursued flute performance at the Manhattan School of Music. She was referred to as the “best flute player in the state of New York” by The Observer and is a founding member of the New York City based new music group Blackbox Ensemble. They have rec...
Apr 19, 2021•1 hr 21 min
We are in New York City today and we have the wonderful opportunity to talk with Bahar Royaee. Originally born and raised in Iran, she moved to the United States to pursue a music education. She received her Master’s of Music in composition from the Boston Conservatory, where she studied with Felipe Lara and Marti Epstein. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in composition at The Graduate School at CUNY where she studies with Jason Eckardt and Suzanne Farrin. She was the runner-up in the National ...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 30
Welcome to Little Rock, Arkansas. Today, we have the privilege to speak with Jacob and Tyler from the pop-punk band Riverview. They are based out of Arkansas and they bring an energetic and interesting blend of emo and pop punk that creates a unique and undeniably distinct sound. They have released their single, Knuckles . We talk about how the band started, the story behind Knuckles , whether classic rock is worth listening to, and we find out more about the guys than some might want to hear. B...
Apr 05, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 29
Welcome to Lubbock, Texas! We have the honor to talk with composer and cat lover, Jennifer Jolley. We discuss being Korean but cooking poorly, musical security blankets, learning from Frank Ticheli, composing for band, finding your voice, and celebrating all your fails! You’ll love the message that she shares and feel the encouragement that we could all use. Guest: Jennifer Jolley Jennifer Jolley’s website: www.jenniferjolley.com Music Included in this Episode: The Eyes of the World are Upon You...
Mar 29, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 28
We are out of the cold and into the warmth with a stop in St. George, Utah. Here, we will marvel at the red dirt and the many bluffs looking over the Virgin River, and talk with an incredible singer/arranger/song writer Logan Kendell. In this episode, we will talk about living in Boston, music you think is amazing when you’re a kid but you don’t understand the double meanings until you’re an adult, Twilight , Logan’s albums, his influences, handmade instruments, and his latest tasty endeavor. Ch...
Mar 22, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 27
Today we travel to Tallinn, Estonia, and we have the honor of speaking to the wonderfully humble and fascinating composer known for his choral, and string works, Tõnu Kõrvits. We talk to him about how he started creating his style of music, favorite rock bands, growing up in the USSR, being an Estonian composer, and highlighting some of his music! Guest: Tõnu Kõrvits Tõnu Kõrvits website: https://www.emic.ee/helilooja/tonu-korvits-est Photo credit: Jacob Cochran Music Included in this Episode: T...
Mar 15, 2021•49 min•Ep. 26
Our episode today is coming to you from New York City! Today we meet Jonathan Scales! He is a master steel pan performer and has changed the way people think about the instrument. What is usually thought of as a Caribbean instrument for resorts, something to listen to while sipping pina coladas, or samba music of Trinidad, Scales takes the instrument and reinvents the entire genre. We talk to him about his musical background, stalking Bela Fleck, discuss his album "Pillar" and highlight a few of...
Mar 08, 2021•52 min•Ep. 25
We are in the “Red Stick” today; Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Not only is it home to the LSU Tigers (GEAUX TIGAHS) and Southern University Panthers, but it is also home to our next guest: Mara Gibson. She is originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, and eventually went on to Bennington College and then SUNY Buffalo where she completed her Ph.D. She has received grants and honors from the American Composer’s Forum, The Banff Center, Louisiana Division of the Arts, ArtsKC, Meet the Composer, the Natio...
Mar 01, 2021•53 min•Ep. 24
