It’s hard to sum up how important Verna Gillis has been for music lovers. First of all, she is an ethnomusicologist who  recorded traditional music  around the world including in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Surinam, Ghana, and the United States. This episode will bring you along on some of these journeys.  25 of these recordings are available through Smithsonian Folkways and Lyrichord, and I’m very grateful to Smithsonian Folkways for allowing us to use some of these tracks for this specific episode. The albums that this music comes from are linked here in the show notes, where you'll find the video version, transcript, and photo gallery from Verna's career: ⁠https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/verna-gillis⁠

In 1979 Verna  opened Soundscape, the first multi-cultural performance space in New York City, which put on hundreds of performances over 5 years. You’ll also hear Verna reminisce about her work on career development with phenomenal international musicians including Youssou N’dour from Senegal, Salif Keita from Mali, and Carlinhos Brown from Brazil. As a producer, Verna was twice nominated for a GRAMMY award for two of the albums  she produced with Roswell Rudd. She’s also a writer and spoken word performer. We’ve  included in this episode one of her recent spoken word videos with British musician Jennifer Maidman. There’s so much more in this episode, and I hope a wide audience will be inspired by Verna Gillis’ reflections on her remarkable life in music.  

I’m joined by my colleague in Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, violinist Frédéric Moisan. Originally from the Breton town of Saint-Brieuc in France, he immigrated to Finland and then Canada. In this wide-ranging conversation we talked about wind-surfing,family, languages, different cultures’ approaches to education, the challenges of playing the violin, the original version of the Sibelius violin concerto (which was the subject of Fred’s Doctoral Dissertation), life balance, and fly fishing. We talked about the differences between being a freelancer to being an orchestra member; Fred has great advice for colleagues and students preparing auditions, and you can find these various topics in the timestamps. Like all my episodes, this is available as both a video on my YouTube, and a podcast wherever you listen to podcasts; the transcript is also linked on my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/frdric-moisan

Finally, do check out the link to my Ko-fi page in the description, since I really need my listeners’ support to keep this project going!

 https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:12) growing up in Brittany, studies in France, the Conservatoire system

(09:52) moving to Finland

(20:45) violin studies with Anne-Marie De Boisgisson, windsurfing, education systems

(29:07) please help me keep this series going: Ko-fi support page linked!

(29:35) Anne-Marie De Boisgisson

(30:26) different education systems Finland, France, Canada

(37:20) Fred’s parents, grandparents, the loss of his mother

(48:05) reflections on parenting and balancing life, bringing up multi-lingual children

(54:25) differences between freelancing and having an orchestra job

(01:00:31) orchestra auditions

(01:05:06) violin practice routines

(01:09:00) Sibelius violin concerto original version

(01:14:50) performing as a soloist with orchestra

(01:17:02) goals and aspirations for music students

(01:24:24) Breton language and culture

(01:27:33) fly-fishing and the benefit of hobbies

 Daniel Ramjattan is a phenomenal classical guitarist and this episode features some of his performances as well as many valuable insights in his work as a performance coach and educator,  and from his reflections on the significant challenges he has overcome in his life and career. Like all my episodes, this is available on your favourite podcast player, a video on YouTube, and the transcript, all linked to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/daniel-ramjattan I’m an independent podcaster and I need my listeners’ help to keep this series going.  ⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠

I really value this long-form conversations that allow for depth, and you can use the detailed timestamps if you prefer to jump to any topics or musical selection.

https://www.danielramjattan.com/

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro

(02:05) big personal and financial challenges 

(07:44) Trinidad Tobago culture and family

(11:46) Segovia

(14:56) intro to Catharsis by Raphael Weinroth-Browne

(16:37) “Ire” from Catharis by Raphael Weinroth-Browne from Daniel’s album “Inspirations”

(16:40)I need my listeners’ help:  Please offer me a tip on Ko-fi! 

(21:53) Segovia, Flamenco

(23:43)John Williams

(24:29) Julian Bream, intro to Leo Brouwer Sonata

(28:00) Toccata de Pasquini, Leo Brouwer Sonata 

(33:04) Performance Anxiety, Madeline Bruser, Gerald Klickstein

(35:14) financial barriers “Life doesn’t have to be this hard”, studies with Bruce Holtzman, Lorenzo Micheli, Patrick Roux

(45:46) Busking, connecting with different audiences

(53:30) intro to Naoko Tsujita’s piece

(56:17) Naoko Tsujita Gamelan Suite, Second Movement from Daniel’s album “Inspirations”

(59:02) the Carillon, Naoko Tsujita

(01:03:00) Performance Anxiety, beta blockers, exposure treatment

(01:11:48) Improvisation to help with anxiety

(01:16:45) controlling performance contexts, mindset, Performance Anxiety

(01:19:56) Buddhism, martial arts, controlling emotions

(01:29:03) teaching performance anxiety skills

(01:40:07) final reflections on life and gratitude mindset

Elizabeth Pallett is a wonderful British lute player.  Her love of Renaissance music and history is infectious and she has generously provided this episode with several of her beautifully produced YouTube videos; her channel Luteweb is linked below, as well as her duo Amarylli with soprano Hannah Grove. We talk about the history of the evolution of plucked instruments in Europe, and many fascinating historical figures including Dowland and Shakespeare. Liz  plays various lutes and plucked instruments and teaches at the Birmingham Conservatoire as well as  online with students worldwide.

Like all my episodes, you can listen to this on your favourite podcast player, watch the YouTube on my channel, and read the transcript; everything is linked on my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/elizabeth-pallett I have also included detailed timestamps below. 

I really do need my listners' help to keep this going! Please take a look at my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Below are the links for Elizabeth Pallett, her website and YouTube channels:

https://luteweb.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@luteweb https://www.youtube.com/@amarylli1745

https://twitter.com/luteweb

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:57) Her musical education, growing up on a farm

(00:04:16) Julian Bream’s influence

(00:05:52) introduction to the lute

(00:09:17) Fantasia by Francesco Da Milano Libro Terzo 1562

(00:11:14) evolution of the lute from the oud

(00:18:49) Calata Ala Spagnola by Joan Ambrosio Dalza 

(00:21:48) the gittern

(00:25:27) please help me keep this series going by supporting me through my Ko-fi page!

(00:25:52) Tastar de corde, improvisatory music

(00:28:01) historical context of the music, Aurelio Brandolini

(00:33:58) the gittern and the origins of the guitar

(00:36:35) lute tablature manuscripts, Capirola lute book

(00:39:05) Ricercar Terzo by Vincenzo Capirola 

(00:43:55) baroque guitar

(00:46:18) Jácaras by Gaspar Sanz on baroque guitar

(00:46:28) why Liz cuts her nails

(00:54:54) teaching lute online and Luteweb videos

(00:58:46) lute repertoire, Bach lautenwerck, why the lute fell out of favour

(01:03:44) women lute players and composers

(01:06:12) teaching online and sharing the love of the past and the lute

(01:08:21) Recercar probably by Marco Dall’Aquila

(01:10:23) teaching at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

(01:12:43) the joy of playing figured bass

(01:15:32) Amarylli, soprano Hannah Grove, creative programming

(01:18:32) “Weep Ye No More Fountains” by John Dowland with Hannah Grove

(01:21:08) controversy around Edward de Vere being the author of the writer who had the pen name Shakespeare

(01:28:11) John Dowland

(01:38:55)  Eward de Vere, Marco Dall’Aquila

(01:40:34) finding time to practice, balancing family life

(01:42:01) bringing undiscovered music to light

Netflix’s hit series "Dead to Me" (which I love), the Academy Award nominated short My Year of Dicks, and many other projects including You’re the Worst and Brockmire. In this wide-ranging conversation punctuated by music used with permission, we talked about many things including Adam’s many musical influences growing up in New York City, his work for the Fred Rogers Institute and his reflections as a parent. He has wonderful advice for composers interested into breaking into the film industry and shared some of his creative process with us. Adam is a warm and engaging musician with a real love for music across many genres; he shares how he pivoted from working as a performer to composing full-time, and we explored many of his diverse projects. Like all my episodes, this is available as a podcast on your favourite podcast player, a video on YouTube, and the transcript; everything is linked to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/adam-blau I have included detailed timestamps if you want to jump to the music or any specific topics.

Adam Blau website: https://www.adamblau.com/

Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto is a California-based Koto performer and teacher, and she also created “Hidden Legacy”, the story of the Japanese Traditional Performing Arts in the American WWII Internment Camps. In this episode she performs some incredibly beautiful koto music, and there are wonderful stories with each piece. Like all my episodes, this is available as both video and podcast, and for those of you watching the video, you’ll notice that Shirley generously re-recorded one of her performances of a very special piece. If you want to jump straight to some music, or different topics in our conversation, you can use the timestamps. However, I encourage you to listen to the whole episode, with Shirley’s engaging insights about family and identity.

This is also a video, and you can also read the transcript; everything is linked in the description to my website where you can sign up for my newsletter and get exclusive sneak peeks for upcoming episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/shirley-kazuyo-muramoto

🙏🎙️I'm an independant podcaster, who needs your help: Can you offer me a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Hidden Legacy film: https://youtu.be/HDqKDexQRSg

Martin Hayes is an internationally renowned Irish fiddler beloved for his expressive playing and his collaborations with many great musicians in different genres including Bill Frisell, Sting, Paul Simon and more recently Yo Yo Ma with the Silk Road Project. During this episode we spoke of his wonderful book Shared Notes, and he plays some beautiful music live (you can always use the timestamps if you’re curious to jump to some music right away), but I encourage you to listen through the whole episode. Martin speaks eloquently about life, culture, friendship, identity, and staying true to what you value, and I hope this episode will thrill lovers of Irish music and bring new listeners to many of Martin’s projects including The Common Ground Ensemble, The Gloaming, and many more. We talked about the loss and legacy of Dennis Cahill, how he met Thomas Bartlett, the rich depths of traditional music that Martin learned from the older generation, and the rhythm of life growing up on the farm in County Clare. Like all my episodes, this is available as both a video and a podcast on your favourite podcast platform, and the transcript is also linked:https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/martin-hayes

Martin's website: http://www.martinhayes.com/

Timestamps

My guest today is Immanuel Abraham,  a very special musican, who is an inspiring violinist, educator and composer.  His phenomenal talent, discipline and creativity  is even more inspiring since he didn’t have an opportunity to learn a musical instrument until the age of 14 and  4 years later, he was auditioning for the renowned University of Michigan in violin performance, playing the same Paganini caprice he’d heard Ithak Perlman play on Shalom Sesame as a child. He speaks candidly in this interview about his  perseverence in the face of very difficult challenges. More information and links below, including Timestamps!

Like all my episodes, this is also available as a video on my YouTube, and the transcript is linked here as well: ⁠https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/immanuel-abraham⁠

Please help me keep this series going! You can leave a tip or consider becoming a monthly supporter and get access to special perks:

⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠

Immanuel is well-known on social media as The Violin Doctor, which is a Dr. Who reference, but Immanuel actually is Doctor of Musical Arts, awarded from the University of Arizona. When he was a student, in an effort to learn as much as he could that was violin-related,  he started The Violin Guild which is an amazingly supportive Facebook group of over 60,000 string players worldwide. Our conversation focused on different aspects of  music education, personal development, and you’ll get to hear some clips of Immanuel performing some of his 24 Caprices for solo violin. Below is a link for a discount code the week this is released, and if you’re a violinist I encourage you to buy this amazing volume, which I have been learning and plan to start recording this summer. Immanuel will be releasing his complete recording of all 24 Caprices. https://www.theviolindoctor.com/24 The discount code that will be activated May 12th through May 18th is, theviolindoctor for 25% off of the 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Second Edition. You will also find Immanuel's current projects and social links there as well.

Timestamps

(00:00)  Intro

(02:25) perspectives on starting the violin at age 14, dealing with racism and growing up in the projects

(15:02) hearing Itzhak Perlman and the opportunity for free lessons through the Merit School of Music with Guillaume Combet

(21:32) inspiration for Immanuel’s 24 Caprices for Solo violin

(28:48) clip of Caprice 14

(30:00) clip of Caprice 21 in C Minor, “The Blues”

(31:43) Caprice 23, a fugue (complete)

(35:54) please support this series on Ko-fi!

(36:23) why Immanuel bought a beginner book spent his lunch money on  Paganini

(41:12) Andrew Jennings University of Michigan

(47:15) giving students some choice of repertoire, keeping them motivated

(53:08) Sphinx Organization teaching kids in the inner city

(01:04:45) becoming a composer, opening for We The Kings

(01:11:11) transcribing jazz, learning by ear

(01:16:25) violin technique finger independence

(01:22:08) yoga, dealing with stress

(01:26:03) balance of composition, teaching and performing

(01:28:21) discount code for the Caprices theviolindoctor

I’m so honoured that Madeline Bruser has agreed to be featured as a guest on this series. When I first read her book The Art of Practicing more than 20 years ago, it helped to transform my experience as a performer and teacher, and on many aspects of my life. Although Madeline’s teaching is aimed primarily at classical pianists and other musicians, I find that much of what she talks about will resonate for everybody trying to get in touch with their emotions, their connection to beauty and meaning, and their experience of being in their bodies. If you happen to be listening to this when it first is released, you should check out Madeline’s free interactive workshop on May 11 at 1pm Eastern. Her website is: https://artofpracticing.com/

Pat Irwin is a renowned film and television composer; some of his scores include Dexter: New Blood, Rocko’s Modern Life, Pepper Ann, and Nurse Jackie. He’s also a multi-instrumentalist who was a member of the B52s for 18 years; he founded The Raybeats and 8 Eyed Spy, and more recently the band SUSS of which I’m a fan. Pat also teaches film composition at NYU, and Brooklyn College at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema, and this conversation wove it’s way into important topics for all of us: a life well-lived, grief, the importance of creativity and of having a good hang. As always, I’ve included detailed timestamps, so if you want to jump to his days with the B52s or Dexter, go ahead, but I hope you’ll take the time to listen to this whole episode which is rich with music and stories. Pat is as articulate as he is creative. You may be surprised that the episode begins with his time in Paris interviewing jazz musicians and learning from John Cage.

Please buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Like all my episodes in this series, this is also a video, and the transcript is linked here as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/pat-irwin

Pat Irwin: https://patirwinmusic.com/

Timestamps: