Jason took a roundabout but awe-inspiring route to his seat as the Principal Timpanist for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.  Not only is he a thoughtful musician, but a multi-patented nanotechnologist to boot.  We talk science, timpani, auditions, and more in this episode. Topics: The Met, Elliot Carter pieces for timpani, James Levine, Star Trek Watch here. Listen below. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 Intro and hello1:02 Current operas at the Met3:20 Nanotechnology6:28 Strass’ “Elektra”8:41 Lucas Garner: Following the news of Maestro Levine’s retirement from the orchestra due to health issues, can you speak on what it was like to work with him?14:23 Jade Hails: What’s the difference between playing timpani in a symphony versus playing timpani in an opera?22:30 Elliott Carter’s “Eight Pieces for Four Timpani”35:14 Jason’s unorthodox path to a career in the Met39:55 Solo timpani repertoire … or not46:22 Deliberate practice53:14 Recording as a method of deliberate practice1:02:33 Hobbies 1:05:27 Nanolithography1:07:38 Wrap