Backstage: Classical Conversations

Sarah Ying Ma is a violinist in the Poiesis Quartet that just won the Banff Competition Grand Prize. Ma shares her musical background, the importance of new music, and how to keep "classical" music relevant in today's society. They discuss the evolving identity of their string quartet, emphasizing a departure from the traditional labels associated with classical music. Ma highlights the importance of embracing a broader artistic identity that encompasses various musical genres and forms of expression, advocating for a collective approach to artistry that transcends conventional boundaries.

To learn more about Poiesis: https://poiesisquartet.com/

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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

Double bassist Jeffrey Turner is a renowned principal orchestral musician, conductor, and pedagogue and teaches at the Indiana University Jacob's School of Music. Listen as he walks through each of his career paths, explains his teaching methods, and talks about how we can keep classical music relevant in today's society.

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 Nancy Zhou shares her journey as a musician raised in an immigrant family, influenced by traditional music and her father's teachings. She discusses her education at prestigious institutions, the impact of competitions, and the importance of mentorship, particularly with Anne-Sophie Mutter. Nancy reflects on her recent projects that explore cultural heritage through music, her new album, and the significance of mindfulness in performance. She also addresses the role of social media in the classical music world and offers valuable advice for aspiring musicians.

To learn more about Nancy Zhou and her album visit: nancyzhouviolin.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

Annie Fullard, first violinist of the Cavani String Quartet and head of chamber music at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and Peabody Institute, talks about developing her chamber music pedagogy and chamber music legacy in part two of her interview. 

To learn more about the Cavani String Quartet visit: cavanistringquartet.com
To learn more about The Art of Collaboration book visit: https://www.chambermusiccollaboration.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

Violinist Annie Fullard is a founding member of the Cavani String Quartet and head of chamber music at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and Peabody Institute. Listen as she talks about her musical development and early life in the Cavani String Quartet. Part 2 comes discusses Fullard's chamber music pedagogy, impact and legacy.

To learn more about the Cavani String Quartet visit: cavanistringquartet.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

Cellist Estelle Choi is a founding member of the award-winning Calidore String Quartet. Listen as she talks about her musical background and education, life in a professional string quartet, the lineage of the older generation of chamber musicians, and advice she gives to aspiring musicians.

Learn more about the Calidore String Quartet and listen to their recordings: https://www.calidorestringquartet.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

Renowned viola pedagogue Victoria Chiang is on faculty at the Peabody Institute, Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and the Aspen Music Festival. Listen as she talks about her time studying with Dorothy Delay and Heidi Castleman, finding her passion for teaching, and the importance of having a growth mindset as a classical musician.

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

Eugene Watanabe founded the Gifted Music School with his wife Dr. Vera and was the first person to graduate Curtis with a double degree in violin and piano. Listen as he talks about his violin and piano careers, starting the Gifted Music School, and his true passion for teaching music to young students.

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 Simon James is a renowned pedagogue at the San Fransisco Conservatory of Music, veteran of the Seattle Symphony for 30 years, and recorder of hundreds of soundtracks. Listen as James talks about being a musician contractor, recording in the symphony and in the studio, and his inspirations as a renowned violin teacher.

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

Violist of the Emerson String Quartet that won 9 GRAMMYS, Lawrence Dutton talks about his life before the quartet, collaborations and stories from the Emerson Quartet, and gives his advice for aspiring professional musicians. 

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