Backstage: Classical Conversations

Erin Keefe is the concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra and faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music. Listen as she talks about her musical background and education, her Minnesota orchestra audition and experience as concertmaster, the role of chamber music in her career and her teaching techniques. 

To learn more about Erin Keefe visit: https://www.erinkeefeviolin.com/

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Listen to the season finale with violist Misha Amory, teacher at the Juilliard School and Curtis Institute, and founding member of the Brentano String Quartet, the quartet-in-residence at the Yale School of Music. In this insightful interview, Amory shares his journey from a young musician to a celebrated quartet member and teacher. Discover his perspectives on chamber music, teaching philosophy, and navigating a successful career in classical music.

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan, Danielle Belen, talks about how she prepares her students for auditions, creating a supportive studio environment, entrepreneurship, and gives her advice to aspiring professional musicians. 

To learn more about Danielle Belen visit: https://www.belenviolin.com

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Danielle Belen, Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance, shares her journey though the music world and finding her passion for teaching the violin. Listen as she discusses her musical background, studying with Robert Lipsett and becoming his teaching assistant, and how she has built a reputation for success in her students.

To learn more about Danielle Belen visit: https://www.belenviolin.com

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Multi-style double bassist Jacob Warren shares his journey of being a classically trained bassist and learning different genres of music. Listen as he speaks about musical mentors, co-creating the chamber groups Warren and Flick and Westbound Situation, and joining the group Kittel & Co. Warren also mentions his process of composing and arranging music, and gives advice to aspiring professional musicians. 

For more information on Jacob Warren visit: https://www.jacobvwarren.com

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Nathan Cole shares his journey from a young violinist influenced by his musical family to becoming a prominent figure in the orchestral world. He discusses his experiences at the Curtis School of Music, the importance of new music in classical performance, and the challenges of balancing family life with a demanding career. He also provides insights into the audition process, the role of a concertmaster, and the significance of building an online presence for modern musicians. 

To learn more about Nathan Cole visit natesviolin.com

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Paul Watkins is an esteemed cellist on faculty at the Yale School of Music and a member of the Emerson String Quartet starting in 2013. He discusses the influence of his musical education, the importance of mentorship, and the experiences that shaped his career. Paul also reflects on his dual passion for conducting and teaching, emphasizing the significance of showing up and learning in every musical endeavor.

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Violinist Robert McDuffie talks about obtaining his Guaneri del Gesu violin in a limited partnership, starting the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and creating the Rome Chamber Music Festival. 

To learn more about the McDuffie Center visit: mcduffie.mercer.edu

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Robert McDuffie is a distinguished American violinist. Listen as he talks with host Katrina about his musical mentors including Dorothy DeLay and Yehudi Menhuin and lessons he learned while touring around the world. McDuffie tells the stories of monumental moments in his career such as performing for Samuel Barber and commissioning the Phillip Glass violin concerto, the American Four Seasons. Part 2 to come.

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou

Violinist Fabiola Kim is a renowned solo violinist and teaches at the University of Michigan and Colburn School. Listen as she talks about her musical mentors, finding her passion for teaching, lessons she's learned performing, and advice she has for aspiring professional musicians. 

To learn more about the Sounding Point Academy visit: https://www.soundingpointacademy.com/ 

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast

Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com

Intro and Outro Music: 

Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Season 2: Florence Price "Elfentanz" performed by Katrina Stroud and Zoey Zhou