The Whole Note: Voices of Chamber

Being a talented baritone and a strong advocate of social issues, Brian Mummert’s passion for and dedication to classical music is evident and seen in his performances and work with ChamberQUEER. As one of the founders of the organization, Brian shares with us the message and goals of ChamberQUEER, including the dedication that goes into each concert. We are so honored to be able to share his stories and experiences with you, and to have been able to chat with him.ChamberQUEER defines itself ...

Talented, with a true love for her craft, cellist Carrie Bean Stute’s passion for chamber music and her connection with her audience is highly reflected in the work she does with the Chiarina Chamber Players. As the co-founder and co-artistic director of the organization, Carrie shares with us Chiarina’s ethos and the passion that is poured into each concert. We are so honored to share her stories and experiences with you and to have been able to chat with her.The Chiarina Chamber Players org...

Raul Aranas is a guitarist, composer, and actor. He has appeared in theatrical productions including Miss Saigon, The King and I, and Flower Drum Song, as well as TV productions including Law & Order and The Blacklist. Born in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, Raul shares with us the culture, music, artists, and experiences that shaped his childhood and his musicianship and musicality. He expresses his great love and passion for jazz music, and provides valuable insights into the so...

The String Queens are a dynamic trio that bring a soulful sound to inspire musicians and audiences alike to move and to “love, hope, feel, and imagine.” Based in Washington DC, The Strings Queens are Dawn Johnson, viola; Élise Sharp, cello; and Kendall Isadore, violin. Dawn, Élise, and Kendall share with us how culture, family, and education inspires them to be the musicians they are today. As musicians and also teachers, they value education and the importance to always keep learning.&n...

The Grammy Award Winning Catalyst Quartet was founded by the internationally acclaimed Sphinx Organization in 2010. The ensemble includes Karla Donehew Perez, violin; Abi Fayette, violin; Paul Laraia, viola; and Karlos Rodriguez, cello. We had the pleasure of speaking with Catalyst Quartet members Karla Perez and Paul Laraia. Karla and Paul speak about how their Puerto Rican culture and education have pushed and inspired them to include diversity in their music. Also, how being a chamber...

Tereasa Payne is a world flutist and woodwinds specialist in New York City. She is the creator of the "Flutes of the World" concert, a founding member of the Areté Woodwind Doubling Quartet, and has performed in countless Broadway shows as well as the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Tereasa's genuine love and passion for music from all around the globe has inspired her to learn more than 20 world flutes from 17 different countries. She speaks about the way in which she hopes to honor the ...

Brenda Vongova is the founder and president of the United Nations Chamber Music Society, and serves in the office of the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. A passionate humanitarian and hardworking musician, Brenda Vongova provides an inspiring insight on how education, religion, and culture has shaped her career as a musician, also elaborating on her work in the United Nations. She discusses the true power of music as a universal language and its ability to promote the values...

“The Whole Note: Voices of Chamber” investigates how culture and diversity impact the world of chamber music.Our mission for this podcast is to learn how culture and diversity impact chamber groups and what role does resilience play. It is essential to our program to feature musicians from an array of cultures, upbringings, and communities. Our podcast wishes to explore more about chamber groups’ stories, unique experiences, heritages, struggles, and their accomplishments, all of which c...