Join us in this profound exploration as we dive into the heart of musical freedom. Eugene reflects on the transformative power of music and how artists can reach beyond mastery to a place where only love for the music exists. Forget the audience, forget the critics, and forget the technique—discover how embracing this freedom can lead to performances that feel like flying, rich with safety, possibility, and a deep sense of belonging. Inspired by the words of Mozart and Rostropovich, Eugene sh...
Classically-trained virtuoso Jordan Rudess reveals how he unlocked the power of improvisation and self-expression, transforming his music into a profound healing force. Jordan shares his journey from Juilliard prodigy to pioneering creative artist and key member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater.Host Eugene Friesen sits down with Rudess to talk about his fusion of classical discipline with the boundless realms of improvisational magic. Discover how this synthesis not only elevated h...
John Mark Rozendaal is a renowned musician and fervent climate justice activist. Celebrated for his mastery of Baroque and Renaissance music, John Mark has shifted his focus towards a critical and urgent mission—saving our dying planet. John Mark’s unique protest, playing Bach in front of Citibank to spotlight their substantial investments in fossil fuels, not only led to his arrest but also spotlighted the powerful role that music and musicians can play in societal change.In this conversatio...
A master storyteller and devotee of Bach's cello suites, Richard Hartshorne aka Dobbs has dedicated his life to bringing music to the most unlikely places around the world. In this episode with Eugene Friesen, Dobbs reveals how his musical journeys have not only changed the lives of his audiences but have also reshaped his own understanding of impact and service through art.Since 2004, Dobbs has performed exclusively in locations where music is a rare gift: from prisons in the US and Uganda t...
What does "mastery" mean? Eugene Friesen sits down with esteemed jazz pianist and composer - and dear friend - Kenny Werner to share their journeys towards effortless playing and self-discoveryTogether, they discuss how being present in the moment and connecting with something eternal through music resonates with others through authentic expression. They navigate the intricate nuances of transcending self-identification as musicians, embracing body and mind awareness, and finding joy in...
Four-time Grammy Award-winner, Glen Velez, is legendary figure in the modern frame drum movement, revered worldwide by musicians and audiences alike. His pioneering influence reshaped contemporary music, introducing a new genre of drumming inspired by years of percussion and frame drumming studies across diverse cultures.In this episode, Glen shares his captivating journey with host Eugene Friesen, unfolding his virtuosic combinations of hand movements, finger techniques, and original c...
Renowned for her virtuosity and versatility, flutist Nancy Stagnitta’s musical evolution was born in classical music and expanded through jazz. In this episode, she sits down with Eugene Friesen to share how improvisation impacted the evolution of her classical artistry and how now, as an instructor at Interlochen Arts Academy and principal flutist with esteemed orchestras, Nancy imparts the art of improvisation, encouraging students to transcend the confines of sheet music.Having graced stag...
How do we find a way toward a new kind of relevancy for creative artists through innovative forms of collaboration? And how do we honor our histories to engage audiences in our creative process?In this episode, host Eugene Friesen speaks with Chelsey Green, a Billboard-charting artist and teacher renowned for her passionate and innovative performances. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Chelsey shares her unique journey—from classical roots to the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip hop with her ensembl...
How can we expand musicians' imaginations about how they can serve communities beyond traditional performance? In this episode of Beyond Mastery, host Eugene Friesen engages in a profound dialogue about the power of music with music producer, educator, and sonic activist Joshua Leeds. In a time of "koyaanisqatsi," which means life out of balance, Joshua Leeds proposes that musicians should see themselves as "sound workers" who bring healing and advocates for public, community-base...
San Francisco Symphony cellist Barbara Bogatin is also a longtime practitioner of Insight Meditation. In this episode with host Eugene Friesen, Barbara brings these two parts of her life together with practical and transformative tips on practicing, auditioning, and performing.Before joining the San Francisco Symphony, Barbara's varied career included playing with New York Chamber Soloists, the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the Monte Carlo Show, the Casals Festival, and as pr...
Matt Glaser is an American jazz and bluegrass violinist and has been an influential thought leader in the history of American jazz and roots music for many years. In this episode with host Eugene Friesen, he talks about his journey in the creative industry, his insights into the history of American jazz and roots music, and how his journey aligns with the world of improvisation, collaboration, and creative expression. Given that his thoughts and insights have been featured in Ken Burns' docum...
Paul Winter is a genre-defining and genre-defying multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist.Paul saw early success as a jazz saxophonist and bandleader with albums on Columbia Records, playing at the Kennedy White House, and State Department tours of South America. This tenure blossomed into a life of purpose in music championing endangered species, our planet, and creating ensembles of startling diversity.In this interview with Eugene Friesen, he reveals his allure to the voices of wild...
This podcast highlights new trends and new thinking in contemporary musicianship. In each episode, Grammy Award-winning composer and cellist Eugene Friesen conducts fascinating interviews with artists who are navigating our fast-moving culture with imagination and optimism.You’ll encounter musicians and thought leaders who point the way toward a new kind of relevancy for creative artists, innovative forms of collaboration, fresh insights into the creative process, and original approaches to a...