What Would Mozart Do?

Today I am talking to flautist Angela McCuiston. In our chat Angela passionately shares her story of how a series of playing-related injuries have caused her to become a Fitness Trainer for Musicians.Angela McCuiston is a NASM-CPT, CES, SFS and CETI-CES (Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist and Cancer Exercise Specialist) and owner of Music Strong, a business that specializes in personal fitness training for musicians. Winner of the 2007 NFA Piccolo Master class, Angela received her Master of Music in Flute Performance from Florida State University and her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Tennessee Technological University. An avid performer, Angela is Assistant Principal/Piccolo of Sinfonia Gulf Coast of Destin, Nashville Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony and Nashville Flute Choir. Joining the military soon after 9/11 she recently became a member of the 313th Army Band in Huntsville, AL, after completing a 16-year tenure in the 129th Army Band in Nashville, TN.  In addition to her solo performances, she has performed with such celebrities as Kristen Chenowith, Pink Martini, Jamie Bernstein, Morgan James, Chris Mann, Nancy Griffith and Mary Wilson of the Supremes. As a trainer, Angela maintains several training locations in Nashville and also travels to give her workshops and presentations, most notably presenting at the National Flute Association Conventions in Salt Lake City, UT; Las Vegas, NV, Washington, D.C. and Orlando, FL. Among her recent workshops, she has travelled to present at Arizona State University, Florida State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Ft. Lewis University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga among others.Recently she was sought out by the Old Guard, Army Fife and Drum Corps as a special consultant to prevent playing related injuries. She has since taken up residence on the faculty of the Stetson University flute camp and has been sought out for numerous other positions including her recent appointment Fall of 2018 as Chair of the National Flute Association Performance Health Committee and adjunct flute professor at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN in August 2020.In February 2019 she published her first book: The Musician’s Essential Exercises, with plans to branch out into instrument-specific volumes in the near future. During the pandemic of 2020 she recorded over 20 instrument specific workouts available for download.When she is not performing or training, Angela can be found riding her Trek road bike as many hours as there are sunshine.  She recently completed her 4th century ride (100+ miles) and has a goal to ride between 5-12 centuries and log 5,000 miles.Angela is constantly on the search for new research and her studies include Aexander Technique, Barbara Conable’s “What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body” Body Mapping Class and Eva Amsler’s classes in Dynamic Integration in addition to live workshops with NASM, most recently traveling to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to complete coursework in Neurokinetic Therapy.Angela's bookIn print: https://musicstrong.com/meeprint/  eBook: https://musicstrong.com/ebook/On Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vyZhsvOther ActivitiesInstrument Specific workouts: https://musicstrong.com/services-instrument-specific-workouts/ (free short ones are on YouTube, these are longer and better done)Covid Comeback Challenge: https://musicstrong.com/covid-comeback-challenge2/

Today I am talking to baritone and entrepreneur Brian Witkowski. In our chat  we talk about the path that brought Brian to starting his own business called the Lucrative Artist, a platform where artists are helped to identify their purpose, to recognise their worth, and realise their value.Brian Witkowski is a singer, actor and voice teacher turned business coach for entrepreneurial artists and educators. As the Founder and CEO of the Lucrative Artist, where he provides boutique business coaching services and trainings for fellow entrepreneurial artists and educators to help them become more prosperous, purposeful and authentic in their work. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts with emphasis in Vocal Performance and minor in Theatre at the University of Arizona; his studies and career have spanned the globe with an eclectic range of repertoire including opera, musical theatre, oratorio, art song and music ministry. He has taught in K-12 and collegiate settings, facilitates professional development seminars to teachers and artists through Arts Integration Solutions, Self-Employment in the Arts and other organizations, is regularly sought out as a speaker, and offers masterclasses and lectures in authenticity, financial empowerment, and leadership. He believes everyone has the ability to create more of the life and career they want to have as an entrepreneur. Website: www.thelucrativeartist.comFacebook: www.thelucrativeartist.com/facebookInstagram: @thelucrativeartistTwitter: @LucrativeArt Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/brianwitkowski

Today I am talking to soprano Henriikka Gröndahl. In our chat we discuss how career trajectories can change over time and the possible influence of relationships and parenthood on negotiating a singing career. Henriikka Gröndahl is a versatile lyric soprano with one foot firmly in the chorus of the Royal Opera House in Stockholm, and the other foot happily freelancing. Her career began with a boom at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow in 2004, when she stepped in as the cover of Mimì in La Bohème. She sang a total of 11 performances of it for Scottish Opera – both at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow and at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. During her first years out of college, she also sang Pamina for British Youth Opera and Papagena (covering Pamina) for Garsington Opera, followed by a Pamina , Nannetta, Musetta and Julia at Gothenburg Opera in Sweden, Musetta and Princesse at the Royal Opera in Sweden and Fünfte Magd at Liceu in Barcelona, Fiordiligi for Samling Opera and Donna Elvira at Scottish Opera. She has since then stepped in at short notice to sing Liù at Gothenburg opera, Jorun at Vadstena Summer Academy and Olympia/Giulietta/Antonia/ at Folkoperan, where she later also performed Liù. Her latest role was Euredice (Gluck) at Norrlandsoperan, as well as small obscure solo bits and pieces at the Royal Opera in Stockholm. Her career has led her to sing in many countries around Europe, and she frequently performs at chamber music festivals and oratorios, but is nowadays also old enough to engage in other non music related activities like hiking, paddling, hanging out with friends and family, painting, throwing dinner parties and passionately enjoying life!www.henriikkagrondahl.com

Today I am talking to mezzo-soprano Carolyn Dobbin. In our chat we discuss Carolyn’s career trajectory from art teacher to opera singer, and how her creativity carried her through loss and grief during the Covid-19 pandemic.Northern Irish mezzo-soprano and Samling Scholar, Carolyn began her career as a teacher of Art and Design before graduating from the Opera course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Carolyn was Associate Artist at Welsh National Opera in 2010 and spent two years at Luzern opera house, Switzerland in 2012-2014.She has performed extensively in opera, oratorio and in solo recitals, including appearances at the Royal Opera House Linbury Studio, English National Opera, Grange Park Opera, Opera Holland Park, Luzerner Theatre, Stadttheater Bern, and the Royal Albert Hall. She has performed the roles of Carmen, Annio, Penelope, Bradamante, Polina, Meg Page, Dritte Dame, Lucretia, Amastre, Octavia, Nicklausse, Magdalena, Dorabella, Charlotte, Teodata, Concepcion, Scipio, Idamante and Angelina. She recorded the role of Madeleine in R. Loders rare opera ‘Raymond and Agnes’  with Richard Bonynge and Retrospect Opera, and Ethel Smythe's 'Fete Gallant' with Odaline de la Martinez. She released a solo CD ‘Caleno’ with Delphian Records and Iain Burnside of songs by composers from Northern Ireland in 2018 and has appeared on BBC Radio 3 and BBC TV. She set up the Northern Irish song project which aims to collect and record many forgotten songs by Northern Irish composers and new song cycles by current composers.  Recent and future roles include Madam Popova in The Bear, Mary in Wagners Der Fliegende Höllander, Smeton in Anna Bolena for Longborough Festival Opera, Fenena in Nabucco and Alise In Lucia Di Lammermoor for Dorset Opera Festival , Mrs Peachum in Mrs Peachums School for Lovers and ‘ The Witch’  in Hansel and Gretel for Irish National Opera. Future roles include Siegrune in Wagner's Walküre 2020/23, Mary in Der Fliegende Höllander with Sir Bryn Terfel in 2022,  Northern Ireland Opera’s Wallace Film Project, the premier of a new Harvey Weinstein based opera for the Belfast Festival,  Handels Alexander’s Feast for the new Le Foyer des Artistes and Recitals of her Northern Ireland song project.Website: www.carolyndobbin.comInstagram: @carolyn_dobbin_mezzoTwitter: @carolyndobbin

Today I am talking to baritone Duncan Rock. In our chat we are discussing how Duncan’s dedication to fitness, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle influences his international career as an opera singer and how by developing his own nutrition brand Duncan combined health and art through his involvement with the Voice Care Centre in London.Duncan Rock MMus, PGCert (nutritional science) - has an active international career as an operatic baritone. He has performed roles at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera, Teatro Real, Glyndebourne, English National Opera and many others. He is a nutritionist and member of the Royal Society for Public Health. He works specifically on nutrition for singers and voice actors at the Voice Care Centre, London.www.duncanrocknutrition.comInstagram: @duncanrock_nutritionInstagram: @duncan.rockhttps://voicecarecentre.co.uk/

Today I am talking to Hendrik Vermeulen, a South African Couturier, fashion designer, singer-songwriter and producer. In our chat we talk about the importance of time management and structuring in order to enhance creativity and we discuss how careers develop through honest and good personal relations.At the atelier of multifaceted artist, Hendrik Vermeulen, it is not merely about fashion… It’s about expression, it’s about art.The garments are made with the utmost care by expert hands, with luxury fabrics that they create or select for their high quality and made with the least impact on the environment.The exclusive processes used to transform the raw material such as hand dyeing, airbrushing or painting, are mostly performed in-house, following strict guidelines so as to minimise their ecological footprint. Other treatments such as laser cutting or digital printing are performed outside their atelier, under their strict supervision, by companies that have been selected for their similar ethos and work ethics.Hendrik comments: “In our Atelier we still adhere to the original Haute Couture methods, amongst some of the modern additions, using mostly handwork techniques. Handmade is a term coming often in the description of our fabrication methods; the handwork taking a large part of the time consuming process that a bespoke creation requires. Our unique pieces are sewn, adorned, beaded, embroidered, appliquéd and hemmed by hand. These tasks require skills and dexterity as well as experience and are performed by our ‘Little Hands’, who have been working with us for more than a decade. Our finishers and seamstresses are taught in our atelier, to our requirements and those skills are then past over to the next generation.Our art is mostly inspired by nature; therefore, we make sure that we look after Mother nature in return. We use natural, sustainable fibres such as cotton, silk, linen or wool as much as possible and non-toxic dyes. Many of our collections feature strong messages about conserving nature and appreciating our breathtakingly beautiful fauna and flora. We believe that symbiosis between nature and production using technology is possible, it requires though a firm engagement from all actors to invest in substantially more time and means. We believe in collaborating with like minded people who are sharing similar creative audacity and novelty. We strongly believe that everything in this world is interconnected and that  universal love should be the common thread that binds us all.”https://www.hendrikvermeulen.com/

Today I am talking to pianist Peter Jablonski. We discuss piano repertoire in and outside the canon, how careers take time to develop, and wonder about the influence of social media on the longevity of a career in music.Peter Jablonski is an award-winning internationally acclaimed Swedish pianist. Discovered by Claudio Abbado and Vladimir Ashkenazy, and signed by Decca in his seventeenth year, Jablonski went on to perform, collaborate, and record with many of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Kirov (now Mariinsky), La Scala Philharmonic, Tonhalle Zürich, Orchestre National de France, NHK Tokyo, DSO Berlin, Warsaw Philharmonic, Philadelphia, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Cleveland Orchestra; Vladimir Ashkenazy, Valery Gergiev, Andris Nelsons, Daniel Harding, Kurt Sanderling, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Riccardo Chailly, Daniele Gatti, and Myung-Whun Chung. Jablonski has performed and recorded the complete piano concertos of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Bartók, and all ten piano sonatas by Prokofiev. Hailed an ‘unconventional virtuoso’ (Present Arts), during his three-decade-long career, Jablonski developed a diverse repertoire that includes works by Barber, Gershwin, Szymanowski, Lutosławski, Copland, Stenhammar, with most recent additions of such Scandinavian and European composers as Valborg Aulin, Elfrida Andrée, Laura Netzel, Johanna Müller-Hermann, Grażyna Bacewicz, and Alexey Stanchinsky.  Composers with whom Jablonski worked include Witold Lutosławski and Arvo Pärt, and he has had a number of works composed for, and dedicated to him, including Wojciech Kilar’s Piano Concerto, for which he won the Orpheus award for the world premiere performance at the Warsaw Autumn Festival. Jablonski remains a supporter of today’s composers and regularly gives world premieres of new works, together with those that have been neglected by music history. Jablonski’s extensive discography includes recordings he has made for labels such as Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Philips, Altara, Octavia, and Ondine. He received numerous accolades for his recordings, which include the Edison and the Grammophone Classical Music Award.Peter Jablonski is the recipient of the Litteris et Artibus medal for his services to culture, granted to him by the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf. He is also the winner of the prestigious prize Årets Svensk i Världen (International Swedish Personality of the Year), receiving it before ABBA and Astrid Lindgren. www.peterjablonski.comTwitter: @Jablonski_Phttps://www.ondine.net/?lid=en&cid=2.2&oid=6707

Today I am talking to countertenor Daniel Keating-Roberts. We discuss the importance of creative minds channeling over linear matter, we consider potential ways in which the pandemic has left a positive mark on the performance industry, and Daniel shares his enthusiasm and interest in performance psychology.Daniel studied in Sheffield, before completing his Masters at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with awards from the Foyle Foundation and the Countess of Munster Trust. He also won the 2009 Guildhall aria competition. In 2010, he became the first counter-tenor to be accepted onto the English National Opera’s Operaworks programme and in 2014, Daniel was awarded a ‘Golden Mask’ award, a ‘special jury prize’ with a team for his work in the title role of Franziskus (Sergei Nevsky) at the Bolshoi Theatre. Daniel has performed with opera companies all over the world and currently lives in Hamburg, Germany. Outside of performing, Daniel is a singing teacher and educator with a specialism in performance coaching. Alongside his individual studio, Daniel has worked with several different opera companies and music colleges to deliver workshops and coaching. His workshops are now in demand for corporate team building and creativity exploration, offering businesses the same fun and self-awareness we enjoy as performers. Recently, Daniel began his first project as producer for a site-specific work in East London, working with private firms to encourage dialogue with the communities they exist alongside. A founder member of Voces8, Daniel has previously been Corporate Events and Training manager for the New London Orchestra, and held roles within the charity MAMA, an organisation working in Mozambique, Africa. Daniel still works as an agent in London, organising performers for private events and studio recordings for film and computer games. www.danielkrsinging.com www.counter-tenor.co.ukwww.facebook.com/danielkrsinging

Today I am talking to Frederick Robin a composer and perfumery artist. In our chat Frederick talks about the synergy between his music and processes that brought about creating a series of nine fragrances as well as his passion to collaborating with other artists across the boundaries of various disciplines. A strong sense of minimalism guides the artistic philosophy of Frederick Robin as he creates contemporary-classical musical and olfactory works in synergistic collaboration with other artists in various media.Website:www.frederickrobin.com

Today I am talking to tenor Karl Marx Reyes. During his studies as a pre-med student he was scouted for the chorus of Seattle Opera. Karl  now holds a hybrid position performing compramario & featured roles. In our talk we discuss the career from the perspective of the opera chorus and how Karl’s experience in medicine not only enabled him to maintain a long career in opera but also how it created a safety net for him particularly during the pandemic.Karl Marx Reyes is a Filipino/American tenor trained in the Pacific Northwest. Reyes made his Seattle Opera debut as a Contadino in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, followed by his roles as the Messenger in Verdi's Aida, the NVA Lieutenant Commander in the world premiere of Daron Hagen's Amelia and, most recently, the Wig Maker in Richard Strauss’s Ariadne Auf Naxos. Other roles include Remendado in Bizet's Carmen, John Styx & Orpheus in Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld, Pedrillo in Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio, Goro in Madama Butterfly, Rodolfo in Puccini's La Bohème and Ferrando in Mozart’s Così fan Tutte. Reyes has been a proud member of the Seattle Opera Chorus for the past two decades.http://www.seattleoperablog.com/2013/10/meet-our-singers-karl-marx-reyes.htmlhttp://www.seattleopera.org/bios/index.aspx?name=karl_reyesMSVideo Clip: Seahawks National Anthem

Today I am talking to mezzo-soprano Lydia Jane Haynes. In our chat she shares her story of how suffering from cancer influenced her work and led her to becoming a teacher before embarking on her postgraduate studies to become a professional singer.Lydia Jane Haynes is a 25 year old Mezzo-Soprano currently studying voice on The Guildhall School of Music and Drama Vocal Masters programme. Lydia's journey into Music has been a remarkably complex one that saw her overcoming the diagnosis of Thyroid cancer aged 16 and then undergoing two subsequent throat surgeries. Whilst rebuilding her vocal strength, Lydia became passionate about pedagogy and trained to be a secondary school teacher after completing her academic music undergraduate degree. With a passion for both performing and music education, Lydia is already carving out a career that involves her two passions, by both training at The Guildhall and working in music outreach education in her local borough, Tower Hamlets. Instagram @mslydiajane

Today I am talking to the Irish composer Fiona Linnane. In our talk we discuss her experiences of collaborating with various singers as she is often drawn to composing operas and song cycles, or any works that specifically involve the human voice. In 2020 she was recipient of the Art Council of Ireland Music Bursary Award.Current projects include No.2 Pery Square, a site responsive opera, in collaboration with Limerick based production company Opera Workshop (funded by the Arts Council of Ireland Opera Commissions Award 2020).  She was awarded the Limerick City and County Council Individual Arts Bursary 2018 and 2019, for work in opera and art song.  Works include short operas Off Tuskar and Bay of Fundy; comic arias Songs of the Meteorologist and Art Songs Songs from Kate O’Brien (in collaboration with poet Mary Coll).No 2 Pery Square https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zph3_Tc7O94Songs of the Meteorologist - Stormy Weatherhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otSxnYxXFVcSongs of the Meteorologist - Don't make unnecessary journeyshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FM-4_rKuV8Despatches from North Clarehttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBuvb0QHDPnfP5nJvizkuETJfKsdXsjrXBay of Fundyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NQYB5Iov6UFacebook page: Fiona Linnane ComposerInstagram: @fionacomposes

Today I am talking to baritone Jonny Venvell who is the Head of Artist Relations at Encore, a UK-based musicians booking platform that brings together clients with Musicians to make their events as special as possible. In our chat we talk about Jonny’s experience working for, and developing, Encore as well as the impact that the pandemic has had on the music industry.Jonny Venvell graduated with a music degree from Cambridge in 2015, specialising in choral singing and oboe. He joined Encore as the first employee and was responsible for growing the network from a university project to a UK-wide booking platform. He continues to sing regularly in London church choirs, and with the Facade Ensemble, a group specialising in 20th-century vocal repertoire. He also has a strong interest in Brazilian percussion and is a member of bossa nova and samba projects. Lockdown has found him more interested in folk, and he is currently recording his first folk EP on low D whistle, bodhrán and piano.   Important links: Impact of COVID survey: https://encoremusicians.com/blog/musicians-leaving-music-industryImpact of Brexit survey: https://encoremusicians.com/blog/musician-brexit-survey Jonny's own podcast series, The Sound Exchange (editing it a bit delayed as a result of recording my album!): https://www.mixcloud.com/jonny-venvell/uploads/Instagram: @jvenvInstagram: @encoremusiciansTwitter: @JVenvellTwitter: @joinencore

Today I am talking to Micah Coston, an associate consultant at Perrett Lever, the leading international executive search firm that brings together  diverse and visionary leaders to mission-driven sectors worldwide. Micah has had a varied career path that started in music, moved on to the dramatic performance arts, then travelled through research and now is developing through his consultancy work. We discuss how the seemingly disparate aspects of Micah’s experience come together in propelling forward his constantly evolving and exciting career.Micah is a Consultant at the executive search firm, Perrett Laver in London. He lives in a thatched cottage in the Oxfordshire countryside and can be found wandering the footpaths near his village. Micah holds a BMus in Church Music (Voice); an MA in Performance Studies; an MA in Shakespeare Studies with Distinction, The Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham; and a DPhil in English Literature, University of Oxford. Instagram: @micahcoston Twitter: @micahcoston

Today I am talking to Alexander Simpson and Helen Daniels who are both classical singers and presenters on the podcast “Where’s My Freaking Dressing Room?!” In our chat we talk about a variety of topics regarding the impact that the pandemic has had on young singers and how a shift in time management has revolutionised the way in which Alexander and Helen approach their work.British countertenor Alexander Simpson is a versatile young singer who enjoys performing a wide range of repertoire and styles.Recent operatic roles include Nireno Giulio Cesare (English Touring Opera), Cowslip Fairy Queen (Waterperry Opera Festival), Athamas Semele (Royal Academy of Music), Arsace Partenope (Iford Arts Festival), Arcane Teseo (London Handel Festival) and Refugee Flight (Royal Academy Opera).Alexander studied at the Royal Academy of Music where he was awarded a full scholarship and graduated with a DipRAM for an outstanding final recital. He later graduated from Royal Academy Opera where he studied with Michael Chance, Caitlin Hulcup and Anna Tilbrook.In addition to his singing commitments, Alexander has trained to become a Life Coach. He firmly believes that the industry should be made more accessible for all musicians and has set up a new ‘holistic approach’ towards singing as a career. His aim is to encourage singers to understand themselves properly as individuals and then apply these discoveries to their career so that they are able to navigate a career that is successful and fulfilling rather than being tossed randomly from one job to another.Together with his friend and colleague Helen Daniels, Alexander has co-created a podcast entitled ‘Where’s My Freaking Dressing Room?!’ which encourages classical musicians to chat honestly about previous experiences in order to create a community which is more supportive and connected.Helen Daniels is a mezzo-soprano from Coventry, currently studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with Sarah Pring where she is an Eva Malpass scholar. Under Trinity Laban’s tuition she has performed in the nationally renowned Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and taken part in online masterclasses with Barbara Hannigan, Gidon Saks, Christopher Underwood and Robert Alderson. She is looking forward to playing Rosina, Il barbiere di Siviglia; Nancy, Albert Herring and Ursule, Béatrice et Bénédict in the college’s opera scenes showcase later this year.Alongside her studies Helen is a professional ensemble singer and has performed with many celebrated groups including Classical Opera, Philharmonia Voices, The Hanover Band, City Bach Collective and Sansara. In January 2020 Helen founded a chamber female vocal ensemble with harp, Levedy, who won the inaugural Trinity Laban Carne Trust Chamber Music Competition in October 2020.Helen read academic music at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where she sang with Trinity College Choir under the direction of Stephen Layton. Solo performances include Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Bach’s St John Passion, Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi's Gloria.In summer 2020 Helen partnered with a close friend and colleague, Alexander Simpson, to record and produce a classical music podcast entitled ‘Where’s My Freaking Dressing Room?!’ The podcast encourages classical musicians to talk openly about their experiences of the industry in order to create a more supportive and interconnected musical community.Instagram: @helendanielsmezzohttps://www.wheresmyfreakingdressingroom.com/https://www.alexandersimpsonlifecoach.com/

Welcome to Caroline Miller and Elizabeth van Os of the Pleiades Project that is based in New York. Their project focuses on telling the various different facets of women’s stories which are often neglected in the general operatic canon. Caroline Miller is a “warm soprano [with] emotional bite,” praised as a compelling singer-actor with vocal flexibility and dramatic intensity, who is “especially adept at comedy.” In the 2019-2020 season, Caroline was a Resident Artist with Toledo Opera, appearing as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel vs the Witch, the Plaintiff in Gilbert and Sullivan's Trial by Jury (canceled due to COVID-19) and Lady-In-Waiting and First Witch in Monk Tarrots' new production of Verdi's Macbeth. In the 2022-2023 season, Caroline returns to Toledo Opera as Valencienne in Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow.Caroline is Co-Founder & Artistic Director of The Pleiades Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to championing women's stories through opera, film and original music-theater projects. With The Pleiades Project, Caroline has expanded her artistic talents outside of performance, embracing her interdisciplinary skills as a director, writer, programmer and producer.Caroline has a BA in English Literature and Music from Washington University in St. Louis and an MM in Vocal Performance & Literature from Eastman School of Music.  Caroline's website: www.carolinemillersoprano.comInsta: @millercarliFacebook: @carli.millerMost recent solo project/premiere: https://invision.inseries.org/full-feature/aberSoprano Elizabeth Van Os is one of New York City’s most dynamic performers, making waves not only as soloist and ensemble member but also as a co-founder of the non-profit Pleiades Project. For her efforts, the opera-zine parterre took notice of her “striking impression,” with additional praise from Voce di Meche for her “lovely, affecting” voice and “justifiable passion.”A lover of concert work, Elizabeth has appeared as soloist with the American Symphony Orchestra, the Berkshire Bach Society, The Astoria Choir, the Collegiate Choir, Ars Musica, and more. In opera, notable roles have included that of Marguerite in Faust and Mimi in La Bohéme, both as Sing Through Central productions. She is a regular invited guest at the Bard SummerScape festival, where she has performed in productions like Anton Rubenstein’s Démon, Dvorâk’s Dimitrij, Pietro Mascagni’s Iris, and Dame Ethel Smyth’s Wreckers.With an eye towards growing the repertoire, Van Os’s career has a particular focus on collaboration with select contemporary music composers, including recent premieres of work by Matthew Brown with The Astoria Choir, and Katherine Hoover, where she was a featured soloist with the New York Virtuoso Singers. Offstage, Van Os creates new performance opportunities for female artists as the co-founder of The Pleiades Project, a non-profit production company.Elizabeth Van Os was born as Elizabeth Smith in Wendell, Idaho. She holds a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brigham Young University in Idaho. Elizabeth's website: elizabethvanos.comPhotography Website: https://eavphotography.cominsta: @misselizabetkatwitter: @misselizabetkahttps://www.facebook.com/elizabethvanossopranoThe Pleiades ProjectWebsite: www.thepleiadesproject.comMost recent premiere/short film: https://invision.inseries.org/series/the-pleiades-project-german-romantics

Today I am talking to soprano Emily Thorner who specialises in contemporary classical music but is also the CEO of moon rising, her company where she helps people as an intuitive healer. In our chat we talk about various issues, highlighting similarities between growing as an artist through the process of learning and performing music to the process of healing and being fulfilled in life.International "ultra-soprano" (Second Inversion, WA, USA) and "new music rising star" (The Stranger, WA, USA) Emily Thorner is rapidly making her mark as a soloist in contemporary chamber ensembles, orchestras, and modern operas. Known for her command of stratospheric high notes, Ms. Thorner is highly sought-after for world premieres due to her unusual range and fearless virtuosity. Recent performances have included: Acht Brücken festival in Cologne (on WDR radio), Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme at Snape Maltings in the UK with Jessica Cottis and Claire Booth, the Donaueschinger Musiktage with Deutsche Kammerchor, Seattle, USA, singing a world premiere with Kin of the Moon, Gladbeck, Germany performing with the Duisberg Philharmonic and Chorwerk Ruhr for the Ruhrtiennale festival, and in Italy, singing as the Soprano Soloist for "Hotel Paradiso" by Benedict Mason with TransArt under the baton of Clement Power.Additionally, she has also performed in Boston and New York for a double performance of Rumpelstiltskin with Guerilla Opera as The Miller, which has been recorded for Navona Records, the classical label of PARMA records, and Sisa in Noli Me Tangere, which featured her in a mad scene in the Tagalog language. In 2018-2020, she will have made appearances in the United States (Boston, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Seattle), England, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, and Austria. Ms. Thorner recently was one of only two vocalists during the Bang on a Can New Music Festival and sang at Impuls Festival in Graz, Austria. She is the second-prize winner of The 2019 North International Music Competition and has been invited to sing in the Aldeburgh Festival (UK) in 2020 as well as SPLICE festival 3 (USA). She was also the first soprano in twenty years to take part in the new music course of the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme and her entrepreneurial spirit has led her to put together STATE OF BEING, a world tour written for her voice and electronics beginning late 2020. Upcoming world premieres written for her voice include collaborations with composers Julianna Hall (USA), Max Hundelshausen (DE), Alex Mills (UK), James Joslin (UK), Rob Laidlow (UK), Martyna Kosecka (Norway/Poland), Kaley Lane Eaton (USA), Anthony R. Green (USA/NL), and Rita Ueda (Canada).Ms. Thorner released her first album on Itunes with ensemble Kin of the Moon for "FUNERAL SENTENCES FOR DAMAGED CELLS" in 2020. On the radio and in the media, she and has been heard on Wartburg Radio with choir Canto Armonico, MDR in Dresden performing an excerpt of Die Entführung aus dem Serail by Mozart, icareifyoulisten.com (USA) and had an article written about her during Bang on a Can in newsounds.org (USA). A featured soloist with Sound Icon in Boston, she recorded the US premiere of Wolfgang Rihm's Frage, known for its impossibly high tessitura of over twenty-two high F's and beyond. Past collaborations with contemporary chamber ensembles include: Hub New Music, Boston Musica Viva, and Sound Energy at the New Music Gathering as well as performances with recording choir Vox Futura, the Grammy award-winning Hans Zimmer International Tour, and New Hampshire Music Festival.www.emily-thorner.comwww.moon-rising.comInstagram: @emilythornersopranoTwitter: @ThornerEmily

Today I am talking to contralto Cindy Sadler. In our chat Cindy talks extensively about the various issues that affect creating and maintaining a portfolio career in the arts and she highlights the importance of accepting the responsibility of being the CEO of one’s own career.Cindy Sadler’s eclectic operatic career represents the benchmark of entrepreneurial artistry. A standout performer in any cast with her rich, abundant contralto and charismatic characterizations, she has made herself indispensable in the classical music arena not only through her performances, but also her consulting and educational work, writing, and fresh vision for the stage.When COVID-19 hit, Ms. Sadler quickly established an online opera training program with an international faculty for young and aspiring singers who had lost roles or programs. She pivoted Spotlight on Opera, the training program she founded and runs, to an online format and produced two operas and a number of scenes and concerts. Throughout 2020 and into 2021, she has continuing presenting virtual career workshops privately and to institutions such as Cal State University Stanislaus, San Jose State University, Texas Tech, Georgia Southern University, Ithaca College, and the Aaron Copland School of Music.Ms. Sadler’s most recent article, “It’s Not Over Until the Fat Lady Sings and Dances”, on the damage that weight bias does to the performing arts industry, was published on the Middleclass Artist blog. She was the featured guest on the Teacher Talk and Opera Box Score broadcasts, and will next appear on baritone Weston Hurt’s Under the Hood YouTube series.Ms. Sadler  has continued performing via socially distanced outdoor concerts and a turn as La Zia Principessa in Valley Opera and Arts’ upcoming virtual production of Suor Angelica.For more information, please see www.CindySadler.com and www.SpotlightOnOpera.com.Facebook: CindySadlerInstagram: @cindy.sadlerTwitter: @CindySadlerTX

Today I am talking to Tessa Marchington, a businesswoman, entrepreneur and pianist. In our talk we discuss Tessa’s extensive work of transforming the corporate business sector through music participation and highlight how she transferred the skills typical to her work as a collaborative pianist to the world of business and management.Tessa Marchington is a businesswoman, entrepreneur and pianist. After finishing her studies at the Royal Academy of Music, Tessa set up Music in Offices (MIO) in 2007, in order to transform business culture through music participation. The company provides instrumental tuition, sets up office choirs and organises internal and external music events for employers, working to improve access to the arts in busy, high stress work environments. Several well-known employers have benefited from MIO, including Channel 4, Standard Chartered, Linklaters, Lloyds Bank and Hearst Magazines UK amongst others.Alongside MIO, Tessa co-founded the Investec International Music Festival and is a consultant on numerous cultural projects including currently being the Artistic Director of the Setubal Music Festival, Portugal.Tessa was a finalist in the Lloyds National Business Awards and is a Finalist in the National Business Women's Awards 2020.Instagram: @tessamarchingtonTwitter: @marchingtessa

Today I am talking to Noah Reitman who is the assistant principal bass of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. In our chat Noah and I are talking about the influence that Covid-19 has had on our work as performers and teachers, and how the music industry is changing. Noah also talks about how his interaction on social media, his new found skills in accountancy and sound technology continue to prepare him for the future.Noah Reitman has been assistant principal bass of the Vancouver Symphony since 2015.  He is also currently the president of the Vancouver Musicians’ Association.Having grown up in Los Angeles, Noah discovered music through his father's eclectic music collection.  When he was seven, his mother bought him Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, and from there he was hooked on music for good.Noah picked up the bass when he was twelve and went on to study at the Colburn School with David H. Young.  From there he attended the University of Michigan where he studied with Diana Gannett, followed by Indiana University where he studied with Lawrence Hurst.  After that he freelanced in New York while working towards a Professional Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music.Noah has played with some of the world's finest ensembles.  He was a bass fellow at the New World Symphony from 2012-2015.  During that time he also played in the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland in the summers.  He has also played in the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra in San Diego.  In addition to his position in the VSO, Noah has also played with the Pittsburgh, Detroit, Atlanta and Nashville Symphonies.Noah is passionate about teaching and coaches bass and chamber music at Idyllwild Arts in California in the summers.  He is also on the faculty at the VSO School of Music where he teaches bass lessons and coaches chamber music, as well as the Saint James Academy of Music, an el Sistema inspired program.Noah lives in Vancouver along with his wife Maggie, and young daughter Madeline.  During the pandemic of 2020, Noah and Maggie have collaborated in founding Purple Mollusk Music, a label for their varied projects.  Follow Noah on YouTube to watch their latest productions!Twitter: @noahreitmanYoutube: https://youtu.be/CrLLjDXnKVYWebsites: noahreitman.com  and purplemollusk.comNoah mentions the "Music Lovers Care Fund" connected to the VSO. Listeners who are interested in donating can contact Noah directly. A donation can be sent via paypal to the following link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=SBSG3NBZRQ424