I first learned about Eleonore Oppenheim from Contrabass Conversations team member Krista Kopper, and I knew that she'd prove to be an interesting podcast guest. Eleonore describes herself as a "genre surfing musical polyglot," and she explores the bass and its role as a solo and chamber instrument in a variety of creative ways. Eleonore also recently wrapped up a long stint as the bassist for the Broadway revival of Oklahoma.

We dig into her musical background, studying with Orin O'Brien and Don Palma, the challenges involving traditional music school environments, the audition trail and what it was like leaving that, creating her 2016 album Home and how she has evolved since then, her current project The Hands Free, and much more.