In the latest episode of Conducting Parkinson’s conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with Colleen Bridges founder of Bridges for Parkinson’s and director of Rocksteady Boxing in middle Tennessee. "Colleen is a true inspiration; I speak from firsthand experience! In our conversation, Colleen discusses the importance for all Parkinson’s patients to have a comprehensive exercise plan!"

If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone.

ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.

 FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: ⁠www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons⁠ ⁠www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons⁠

In this episode, retired music teacher, Bernhard Spirig speaks candidly about how his emotional health impacts his Parkinson’s symptoms and how making music positively affects his sense of well being. Featured performance of "Lueget vo Berg und Tal" from Swiss Suite for cello and piano by Fabian Müller. Pi-Chin Chien, violoncello, Benjamin Engeli, piano.

If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone.

ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.

 FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: ⁠www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons⁠ ⁠www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons⁠

Previously, Conducting Parkinson's reposted a YouTube video of Clayton Henderson, a pianist with severe Parkinson symptoms. When he begins to play piano, we see that his symptoms completely disappear. This two-part episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations is with Clayton’s son, Ethan Henderson, who recorded this video back in 2012. In this first part of our conversation, Ethan describes the miraculous role that music played in his father‘s journey.

If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone.

ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.

 FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: ⁠www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons⁠ ⁠www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons⁠

In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Dr. Jonathan Cannon discusses some theories regarding the positive effect that the aesthetic experience of music making has on my PD symptoms.

If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone.

ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.

 FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons

Don Peterson, retired conductor of the Brigham Young University Wind Symphony, joins the podcast to compare notes, as well as to discuss the double-edged sword of Parkinson's and retirement.

ABOUT DON:

Dr. Don Peterson’s music career began as a young trumpet player in Salt Lake City. He received both his B.M. and M.M. degrees in music education from Brigham Young University, followed by the D.M.A. degree in instrumental music/conducting from Arizona State University. In 1986 Dr. Peterson joined the music education faculty at BYU where he oversaw instrumental music education, directed the Cougar Marching Band, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Symphony over the course of 45 years.

ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON'S:I'm Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson's Disease. Over the past 12 months, I have come to accept that Parkinson's Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite—it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.

FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: https://www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsonshttps://www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons

Revered baton craftsman Phil Aguglia, owner of PaGu Batons, joins Thomas Verrier for a trip down memory lane of when the two collaborated on Verrier's custom baton.

ABOUT PHIL: Phil Aguglia’s passion for music was ignited as a student in the City of Buffalo School Public School system learning to play the trumpet. He was fortunate to have some amazing teachers that provided many unique opportunities which eventually led him to major in music education at Ithaca College where he received his Bachelors of Music Education and later at SUNY Fredonia to complete his Masters in Music. He is the author of the “Thinking out of the Box” instrumental music curriculum where students can go from beginners to college material in four years of instruction.

During his career as an educator he has been blessed with the opportunity to teach in Medford, MA, West Valley, NY, Cleveland Hill USFD in Cheektowaga, NY, and since 2002 Kenmore East High School in Tonawanda, New York. Mr. Aguglia has been recognized for excellence and commitment to music education as the recipient or nominee of over two dozen awards which include the Grammy Foundation, People Magazine, Walt Disney Corporation, Erie County Music Educator Association, The Conn/Selmer Corporation, SUNY Buffalo State, the Buffalo Bills, and more. He is a sought after conductor, clinician, speaker, and has proudly served on the board of trustees for the Music is Art organization since 2008.

Phil is also the owner and craftsman of PaGu Batons which are the preferred batons of many of the world's most prestigious conductors. Phil and his wife of over twenty years Cindy, have two incredible boys Jacob and Griffin.

ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.

FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: https://www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsonshttps://www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons

Rand Laycock, known for receiving the groundbreaking Deep Brain Stimulation surgery with Cleveland Clinic, joins Thomas Verrier to discuss the impact of this treatment on his conducting journey.

Dr. Rand Laycock is a retired high school orchestra conductor and the current music director of the Parma Symphony Orchestra in Northeast Ohio.

British conductor James Morgan joins Thomas Verrier to discuss his journey to diagnosis, navigating the stress of conducting with Parkinson's, and musical preparation strategies.

ABOUT JAMES:

James initially worked at English National Opera and then went on to conduct operas for Glyndebourne, ENO, English Touring Opera and Raymond Gubbay Ltd.

James has conducted and recorded with many of the UK’s leading orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, CBSO, Philharmonia and London Philharmonic Orchestras. Abroad, he works regularly with the Danish National Chamber Orchestra and City of Prague Philharmonic, and has also guested with the Copenhagen Philharmonic, Odense Symphony Orchestra, Flanders Symphony Orchestra and West Kazakhstan Philharmonic.  Specialising in contemporary music, including several world premieres at the South Bank and the Barbican, his repertoire varies widely from renaissance polyphony to arena pop concerts, with artists as varied as Alfie Boe, Jamie Cullum, Michael Bolton, Andrea Bocelli, Katie Melua and the BBC Singers, for whom he is a regular guest conductor. He conducted the televised Classic Brits at the Royal Albert Hall, with the London Chamber Orchestra.

Learn more at https://www.morganpochin.com/