Dr. Jordi Albert has spent 27 years researching trumpet performance, trumpet pedagogy, and musician health. After working with over 1,500 trumpet players — from beginners to professionals — he has developed a research-backed methodology for solving the most common trumpet problems fast. In this episode, Dr. Albert breaks down: Why 98% of professional trumpet players experience learning difficulties How inner hearing and audiation directly affect your trumpet technique The neuromotor science behi...
Apr 08, 2026•2 hr 2 min
Tuba professor and Bluecoats drum corps instructor Dr. Genevieve Clarkson joins the podcast to talk about what it really means to be a great music teacher. From purposeful practice and growth mindset to the unexpected lessons learned teaching at the highest level of drum corps competition, Jenny shares a philosophy of teaching that is equal parts inspiring and actionable. In this episode we cover: What makes a truly successful music teacher How to help students practice more effectively What dru...
Mar 25, 2026•2 hr 10 min
Praised as “brilliant…impeccable” by the New York Times and a musician of “effortless understated virtuosity” by The Chicago Tribune, Christopher Martin is Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic. Prior to this, he was Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for eleven seasons. Mr. Martin has enjoyed a distinctive career of more than twenty years as solo trumpet of some of America’s finest orchestras. As a soloist, Christopher Martin is in great demand in New York and around t...
Mar 11, 2026•2 hr 7 min
In this episode, I'm sitting down with composer and trumpeter Kevin McKee to talk about his journey from trumpet performance to composition, how his playing background shapes his writing, and what makes his music so idiomatic and enjoyable to play. We dig deep into the inspiration and interpretive details behind Centennial Horizon, Kevin's evocative three-movement work for trumpet and piano inspired by Colorado. Kevin also shares details about his book Kevin McKee's Musical Jungle Gym for Trumpe...
Feb 25, 2026•1 hr 25 min
Most musicians are practicing wrong—not because they're lazy or untalented, but because traditional practice methods don't align with how the brain actually learns. Dr. Molly Gebrian is a violist, neuroscientist, and author of Learn Faster, Perform Better . She teaches at New England Conservatory and has spent years translating brain science into practical strategies for musicians. In this conversation, we dig into: Why taking MORE breaks leads to FASTER progress How mental practice can solve pr...
Feb 11, 2026•1 hr 28 min
Confidence wasn’t missing — it was misunderstood. In this episode, Ryan sits down with trumpet player and educator Stephen Wadsack to unpack how deeply held beliefs about confidence can quietly shape — and limit — the way we practice, perform, and grow as musicians. What starts as a conversation about auditions and orchestral playing turns into something much deeper: how confusing confidence with arrogance, or treating it as a personality trait instead of a byproduct of clarity, can hold even hi...
Jan 28, 2026•1 hr 12 min
Many trumpet players experience frustration, inconsistency, or uncertainty in their practice — and assume that’s just normal. In this video, I break down 3 trumpet practice habits that are common, but don’t have to stay that way. These habits often feel normal because they’re widespread, especially when players work hard without a clear system, feedback loop, or defined outcome. The goal here isn’t to criticize how you practice — it’s to help you understand why these experiences happen and what ...
Jan 07, 2026•39 min
In this episode, I share the full story of my recent audition for the Principal Trumpet position with the Philadelphia Orchestra — one of the highest-profile trumpet auditions in the world. I made the finals, but the real takeaway wasn’t the result. It was the stillness, clarity, and confidence I felt throughout the entire process, even when things weren’t going my way. If you’re a trumpet player, brass musician, or anyone preparing for orchestra auditions, I hope this story gives you insight in...
Nov 26, 2025•1 hr 29 min
In this episode of That’s Not Spit, It’s Condensation, I sit down with tubist and teacher Ron Von Dreau to talk about what it takes to build and sustain a thriving private teaching studio. Ron has taught in Texas for decades, managing studios of 60–80+ students while also teaching at the university level, directing band programs, and balancing freelance performing. His story is full of lessons for anyone building a teaching career: from starting with only a handful of students to learning the bu...
Sep 24, 2025•1 hr 18 min
In this episode, I'm going to break down the real reason auditions feel so brutal—and what separates the winners from everyone else. It's not luck. It's not just talent. It's a learnable set of skills that anyone can develop. If you’ve ever walked off stage thinking “I thought I was ready… what happened?”—this is for you. You’ll learn: ✅ The mindset shift that changes everything ✅ Why fundamentals actually matter ✅ The power of a clear, consistent plan ✅ And what most people misunderstand about ...
Sep 10, 2025•55 min
In this episode, we break down how to master lip trills, develop faster and cleaner technique, and play with more freedom—without adding tension. You’ll learn why “lip trills” aren’t actually about the lips, how to train your air and embouchure for effortless control, and the exact exercises that build dazzling technique you can trust in any performance. We also explore how brass band playing can transform your musicianship, the mindset shifts that speed up progress, and practical advice for sta...
Aug 13, 2025•1 hr 31 min
In this episode of That's Not Spit, It's Condensation , I sit down with Victor Djonorh , longtime band director at Summit Middle School and assistant director at Edmond Santa Fe, to dive deep into the realities of teaching music at the middle and high school level . We cover: 🎵 How he accidentally became a tuba player 🎓 Lessons from his time at Oklahoma City University 👨🏫 What he wishes he knew as a first-year teacher 💡 How he keeps students engaged (and why relationships are everything) �...
Jul 16, 2025•1 hr 14 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Johanna Yarbrough, who recently transitioned from her role as second horn with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to become the Professor of French Horn at Louisiana State University. What begins as a conversation about career trajectory quickly unfolds into a vulnerable and deeply insightful look at the realities of orchestral life—and what it means to grow beyond it. Johanna shares her early path through public school band, studying abroad in Norway with Frøydis Ree ...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Doug McVey is the founder of Vennture mouthpieces. He guides the technical direction of Vennture, oversees the development of VennCAD, and designs the tooling and processes used to produce Vennture custom mouthpieces. www.vennture.mp Support the show
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Michael Anderson is the recently retired Professor of Trumpet at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University. He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild Board of Directors and ITG Journal editorial committee, Executive Director of the Guild’s web site, and chairman of the ITG technology committee. He is the ITG Journal columnist for Trumpet Technology and has presented and performed at several ITG Conferences. Previously to his OCU appointment, he was on the music facult...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Karl Sievers grew up in Louisville, KY. His teachers include Leon Rapier, former principal trumpet in the Louisville Orchestra; Louis Davidson, former principal trumpet in the Cleveland Orchestra; William Adam at Indiana University; and others. Karl holds a DMA in Trumpet Performance, is in his 24th season as principal trumpet in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and has recently retired from a Presidential Professorship at the School of Music at the University of Oklahoma. In addition to his orch...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 48 min
William A. Baker, was appointed Bass Trombonist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra in 2024 by Music Director Enrique Mazzola . He also currently serves as the Principal Bass Trombonist of the Monterey Symphony , a post he has held since 2018. From 2021-2024, Will primarily performed with the San Francisco Symphony , including over 200 performances, and European Tour, and the 2023 SFS recordings with Maestro EsaPekka Salonen. A native of Walnut Creek, California, Will has performed with the ...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min
Dr. Jennifer Oliverio is a celebrated cornet and flugelhorn player who holds the positions of principal cornet with the Fountain City Brass Band and flugelhorn with the Athena Brass Band. Jen is currently the Assistant Professor of Music in trumpet at Missouri Western State University and one of the directors for the Fountain City Youth Brass Academy. Jen is an avid supporter of new music for cornet and flugelhorn, having commissioned and premiered solo works by Lucy Pankhurst, Dorothy Gates, Ke...
Apr 23, 2025•51 min
Grace O’Connell is a highly diverse musician with equal passions for soloing, orchestral playing, and chamber music. Grace frequently plays in the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra trumpet sections and is also a dynamic soloist and active competitor in national and international competitions. Most recently she was named first place winner of the Roger Voisin Memorial Trumpet Competition (2024). She was also named first place winner in the International Trumpet Guild ...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Christopher Smith brings nearly 20 years of major orchestral and ensemble experience to the role of Principal Trumpet of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the SDSO, he was 4th/Utility Trumpet with l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) for 11 years, and served as Acting Associate Principal Trumpet from 2015-18. He has performed with OSM on eight international tours (two as Associate Principal Trumpet), numerous live broadcasts on Mezzo TV and Medici.tv (several as Principal T...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 31 min
In this episode, we're talking about my experience auditioning for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. We'll cover how I prepared, what I did differently, what I learned, the rounds themselves, and my thoughts on the outcome. Support the show
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr 49 min
Reach out to Matt! matthew.vangjel@gmail.com In the fall of 2024, Matthew Vangjel will begin teaching at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Matthew Vangjel was previously the Julian R. and Sidney Nicolle Carruth Associate Professor of Trumpet at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he teaches trumpet and coaches chamber music. He also held positions at the University of Texas-San Antonio and the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Vangjel is a passionate music educator and freque...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Brandon Jochum mastered this podcast episode https://www.epiphanyrecordingstudio.com/ Tony's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@UCExbrtVAbwkjjprUPk4Sfxw Anthony Prisk joined The Philadelphia Orchestra as second trumpet in August 2013. He came from the Houston Symphony, where he was second trumpet for 11 seasons, and the New World Symphony, where he was a trumpet fellow for four seasons. In the past 20 years he has played internationally with several orchestras and music festivals, includin...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Dr. Joseph Gray is the Associate Director of Bands and trumpet instructor at the University of North Alabama. Before coming to Florence, he served on the music faculty at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and as a noncommissioned officer and senior instrumentalist with the U.S. Army Music Program. During his military service, Dr. Gray was a member of the Army Material Command Band at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama and the Maneuver Center of Excellence Band at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dr. Gray is ...
Apr 24, 2024•48 min
Ben Gunnarson is a trumpet player and music educator based in Los Angeles, California. He is currently Principal Trumpet of the Bay Philharmonic and also is a member of the Disneyland Band. After growing up in Frederick, MD, he earned is Bachelor’s Degrees in Trumpet Performance and Music Education from Indiana University and is pursuing his Masters Degree at the University of Southern California under the mentorship of Thomas Hooten and Jennifer Marotta. He also studied abroad in Vienna, Austri...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Daniel Carson comes to the CSO after previously holding the position of principal bass at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra from 2013-16, and having performed with numerous other American orchestras, including those in Atlanta, St. Louis, Minnesota and Kansas City. Carson was a fellow at the New World Symphony, under the direction of co-founder and Artistic Director Laureate Michael Tilson-Thomas and has also been a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School, the Music Academy of the West, and t...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Wiff Rudd began teaching trumpet and serving as Brass Area Coordinator at Baylor University in 2002. Previous teaching posts include Oklahoma Baptist University and the University of Arkansas. A founding member of Rhythm & Brass, he is also an active soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. He has been a featured soloist in Carnegie Hall on multiple occasions and at several National Trumpet Competitions and International Trumpet Guild Conferences. Rudd has performed and presented master cla...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Dr. Jesse Cook has been hailed by Fanfare Magazine as a trumpeter with “technical surety, a shining tone, dynamic control, a smooth legato, and real imagination.” Dr. Cook is the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Central Florida and the Principal Trumpet of the Atlantic Classical Orchestra. He has also held appointments as Principal Trumpet of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Albany Symphony Orchestra, and as the Studio Professor at Valdosta State University (GA), Pittsburg Sta...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Stephen M. Wadsack serves as the Instructor of Trumpet and director of Wright State University's Jazz Studies program offerings. In addition to his responsibilities with the trumpet studio and jazz studies, Stephen teaches courses in music history, coaches chamber music ensembles, and serves as the coordinator of the Faculty Brass Quintet. Prior to his appointment at Wright State in the Fall of 2022, Wadsack previously served on the faculties of Wilmington College (OH), Thomas More University (K...
Feb 14, 2024•49 min
As the current Principal Trumpet of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and graduate student in trumpet performance under John Rommel at Indiana University, Micah's career and studies in music have prepared him to succeed professionally at a high level of musicianship. Micah completed his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University and has had ample opportunity to play in high-caliber ensembles and with a wide range of world-renowned brass players. Micah has had the privilege of studying ...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 5 min
