Better Than Monkeys

In this episode of BTM, we chat with Erie Philharmonic principal second violin Jonathan Moser.  We cover how to create a diverse career in music, taking an audition, leading a section, the Suzuki string method and soooo much more! I’d love for you to join me (and Jonathan!) for part one of this two-part episode of Better Than Monkeys!

You can connect with Jonathan on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanRMoser

Fresh on the heels of her SECOND Grammy Award nomination, this time in  the best classical instrumental solo category, Yolanda Kondonassis finds time to chat with our Better Than Monkeys audience about her passion for the harp, her newest recording of the Jennifer Higdon Harp Concerto with Ward Stare and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, her passion for the environment, her skills as an author and educator, her not so secret love for her husband and her fixation with coffee and funky  music! 

On this episode of BETTER THAN MONKEYS, we get to spend a few minutes talking with a true legend in the music world. A platinum album selling songstress with more than 55 albums created over the course of her illustrious career, her recording of Joni Mitchell's BOTH SIDES NOW is in the GRAMMY HALL OF FAME and her recording of Stephen Sondheim's SEND  IN THE CLOWNS won song of the year at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She is author, mentor, social activist and singer/songwriter, JUDY COLLINS.

When Washington politicians see him coming, they run for the hills! or more specifically, FROM the Hill! Capitol Hill, that is! For over 30  years, Mark Russell brought his signature bow tie, star-spangled piano and sharp political humor to America via regular PBS specials. Mark is  "mostly" retired now, but still has strong opinions and wit as stinging as ever! On this episode of Better than Monkeys, we sit down with Mark and chat about ruining family holidays, Marines doing target practice in Hawaii, why political humor is so important in our society and OOOOH so much more! I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as I enjoyed recording it!

Multiple Grammy Awards, 20 years as music director of the Buffalo  Philharmonic, the FIRST WOMAN to be appointed to lead a major American  music ensemble, a discography of over 115 titles and guest appearances  on FRESH AIR WITH TERRY GROSS, PBS' Live from Lincoln Center, CBS Sunday  Morning and more...our guest on this episode of BETTER THAN MONKEYS is  none other than the dynamic barrier-breaking, music-making Maestro  herself, JoAnn Falletta!

The creator and conductor of "BUGS BUNNY AT THE  SYMPHONY," George Daugherty, joins WQLN Radio's Brian Hannah for a fun  an lighthearted look at the genius behind the iconic Bugs Bunny cartoons  featured in the 30th anniversary production of "BUGS BUNNY AT THE  SYMPHONY!"

Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, “the king and queen of the banjo”  (Paste Magazine), have a musical partnership like no other. Béla Fleck  is a sixteen-time Grammy Award winner who has taken the instrument  across multiple genres, and Abigail Washburn a singer-songwriter and  clawhammer banjo player who re-radicalized the instrument by combining  it with Far East culture and sounds. The two met at a square dance,  began collaborating musically and eventually fell in love. YOU can fall  in love with the dynamic musical duo on the most recent episode of  BETTER THAN MONKEYS and you can catch them LIVE at the Chautauqua  Institution on July 26, 2019 (www.chq.org)  Join host Brian Hannah as he, Bela and Abigail talk all things love,  banjo, banjo love, music love...lots of love to go around!

Shonn talks about life on the road, creating a hit musical from scratch,  juggling a career on the road and family life as well as UNDER THE  STREETLAMP’s July 12, 2019, performance at the legendary CHAUTAUQUA  INSTITUTION!

American treasure Wynton Marsalis, aka The Best Jazz Trumpeter Ever,  (and also killer classical trumpeter) schools fellow trumpeter Brian  Hannah on a thing or two, in this preview of Marsalis's summer 2019  visit to nearby Chautauqua Institution.

From Balanchine's School of American Ballet to countless iconic roles on Broadway, the legendary Chita Rivera's career has never ceased to  scintillate!