Down the Pit

Great conversation with Executive Director of Mata Festival Pauline Kim Harris and featured composer Jessie Cox.

Music at the Anthology (MATA) celebrates its 27th Annual Festival with performances at the Issue Project Room in Brooklyn from June 11th to 14th 2025

Titled Intergalactic Infinity: Music Between Spaces, the festival promises to be an incredible few days of sounds, creativity and imagination, that will blow your mind.

The episode serves as a way to dive in into the world of MATA, the process of curating a festival of this caliber, and a behind the scene view into the creative process of composers, their source of inspiration, their grit, how they view the future of music and a lot of fun topics you will love!

We cannot wait for you to learn more about MATA

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/down-the-pit⁠⁠⁠

Visit tonebase.com for some amazing online courses and lessons for Violin, Piano, Cello, Flute, Guitar, etc. The best online platform with hundreds of instructional videos and lessons for musicians of all levels! Check it out and use Promo Code ⁠⁠⁠SAMI-30⁠⁠⁠ at Checkout for a 14-day FREE trial and 30% off for a yearly subscription. Sign up TODAY!

Thanks to our corporate sponsor ⁠⁠⁠U.S. PAVE⁠⁠⁠ for their continued support!

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts:

Sami Merdinian: ⁠⁠⁠@samimerdinian⁠⁠⁠ 

Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836

Producer: Sami Merdinian

Mata Festival 2025

For tickets and passes click HERE

Guests:

Pauline Kim Harris - https://www.paulinekimharris.com/

Jessie Cox - https://www.jessiecoxmusic.com/

⁠⁠Please Support this podcast for more interviews!⁠⁠

A highly entertaining and informative conversation with 6 time GRAMMY-nominated violinist & composer
Curtis Stewart. In the episode, Curtis talks about tearing down the facade of "classical violinist" and his constant pursuit of his musical authenticity, treating art as a battery for realizing citizenship.

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit ⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/down-the-pit⁠⁠

Visit tonebase.com for some amazing online courses and lessons for Violin, Piano, Cello, Flute, Guitar, etc. The best online platform with hundreds of instructional videos and lessons for musicians of all levels! Check it out and use Promo Code ⁠⁠SAMI-30⁠⁠ at Checkout for a 14-day FREE trial and 30% off for a yearly subscription. Sign up TODAY!

Thanks to our corporate sponsor ⁠⁠U.S. PAVE⁠⁠ for their continued support!

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: ⁠⁠@samimerdinian⁠⁠ - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836

Producer: Sami Merdinian

Special Guest: Curtis Stewart

Instagram: @curtis.stewart_violin

https://curtisjstewart.com/

⁠Please Support this podcast for more interviews!⁠

Violist and Comedian Isabel joins Ian and Sami in a dynamic and fun conversation in which she dives into her life, going into details about the shift in her career, the viola, her standup comedy routines, her appearances in the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, her upcoming projects, goals and a lot more.

Also, for the first time, we will be posting our full episode on YouTube (highly recommended) Please subscribe to our channel for notification on when that will be published!

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/down-the-pit⁠

Visit tonebase.com for some amazing online courses and lessons for Violin, Piano, Cello, Flute, Guitar, etc. The best online platform with hundreds of instructional videos and lessons for musicians of all levels! Check it out and use Promo Code ⁠SAMI-30⁠ at Checkout for a 14-day FREE trial and 30% off for a yearly subscription. Sign up TODAY!

Thanks to our corporate sponsor ⁠U.S. PAVE⁠ for their continued support!

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: ⁠@samimerdinian⁠ - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836

Producer: Sami Merdinian

Special Guest: Isabel Hagen

Instagram: @isablehagen_

TikTok: @isabelhagen

isabelhagen.com

Please Support this podcast for more interviews!

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/down-the-pit

Visit tonebase.com for some amazing online courses and lessons for Violin, Piano, Cello, Flute, Guitar, etc. The best online platform with hundreds of instructional videos and lessons for musicians of all levels! Check it out and use Promo Code SAMI-30 at Checkout for a 14-day FREE trial and 30% off for a yearly subscription. Sign up TODAY!

Thanks to our corporate sponsor U.S. PAVE for their continued support!

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836

Producers: Sami Merdinian & Leo Finelli

---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/down-the-pit/support

In this episode, Sami Merdinian and Ian Loew have a great conversation with violist/composer/educator Jessica Meyer who has established herself to be an incredible force in the industry thanks for her passion, perseverance, entrepreneurial skills and extraordinary talent. She talks about all of her projects, her path to becoming a very influential figure, her grind, the importance of improvisation, her method of composition, finding quality time to decompress in nature and with friends and family, the joys of teaching and her inspirational workshops so students can be the best advocates for their own careers. She talks about her solo shows with loop pedal, writing a piece for the US Presidential Marine Band, and the premiere of her own viola concerto in NYC.

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/down-the-pit

Visit tonebase.com for some amazing online courses and lessons for Violin, Piano or Guitar. The best online platform with hundreds of instructional videos and lessons for musicians of all levels! Check it out and use Promo Code SAMI-30 at Checkout for a 14-day FREE trial and 30% off for a yearly subscription. Sign up TODAY!

Thanks to our corporate sponsor U.S. PAVE for their continued support!

Check out our website www.downthepit.com

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836

Producer: Sami Merdinian - Assistant Producer: Chris Ellis

https://www.downthepit.com

https://jessicameyermusic.com/

@jessicameyermusic

Happy New Year listeners!!!

In this episode, we learn the unique story of one of the best trumpeters of his generation. The youngest player to ever play with the legendary Canadian Brass, Brandon Ridenour engages in a very entertaining  and informative conversation; his first piano lesson with his father at age 5, to his parents crushing his dreams to play drums, Brandon shares his path to the versatile artist he's become. His amazing career as a trumpeter, composer, arranger, his fascination with comedy, the importance of humanity coming together to take better care of our planet and each other, advice for young players, tour life anecdotes, new projects, his new appointment as faculty  at the New School and his love for pedagogy are just a few topics we cover during the first episode of 2023. Cheers to everyone for a great year ahead!!!

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit.

Visit tonebase.com for some amazing online courses and lessons for Violin, Piano or Guitar. The best online platform with hundreds of instructional videos and lessons for musicians of all levels! Check it out and use Promo Code SAMI-30 at Checkout for a 14-day FREE trial and 30% off for a yearly subscription. Sign up TODAY!

Thanks to our corporate sponsor U.S. PAVE for their continued support!

Check out our website www.downthepit.com

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod and @samiviolin

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836 -

Producer: Sami Merdinian - Assistant Producer: Chris Ellis

https://www.downthepit.com

https://www.brandonridenour.org/

@b.ride.music

“A VIOLINIST OF HEART-MELTING TALENT.” – The Wall Street Journal

“DAZZLING SKILLS AND A MONA LISA SMILE.” – The Washington Post

A very special episode with violinist, singer, actress Lucia Micarelli! 

Born in Queens, New York, Lucia has been immersed in the arts since the age of three. After attending the Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music,  Lucia began to develop a growing interest in non-classical music.  She started moonlighting with local jazz and rock bands in New York clubs, and  she was offered to tour with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as a featured violinist and concertmaster.

In addition, she’s been a featured soloist in two of Josh Groban’s world tours, toured extensively with Chris Botti and was featured in his “Live From Boston” PBS special along with being featured in Barbra Streisand’s 2013 international tour. She also released two solo studio albums, “Music From A Farther Room” and “Interlude”.  But 2009 saw Lucia broadening her career even further when she was cast in the starring role of “Annie” in HBO’s critically acclaimed series, “Treme”, created by David Simon and Eric Overmeyer, which ran for four seasons and won a Peabody Award as well as a Primetime Emmy Award.

Since then, Lucia’s profile has continued to soar. In 2018, Lucia appeared in her first PBS concert special, which aired throughout the US and spawned the live album “An Evening with Lucia Micarelli”.  In 2020, Lucia joined the Hallmark Family and starred in the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries holiday movie “The Christmas Bow” alongside Michael Rady.  Whether on stage or screen, Lucia is sure to take you on an eclectic journey through her many musical influences - from classical to jazz to traditional fiddle music and Americana - all bound together by her trademark emotional vulnerability and technical wizardry.

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit.

Visit tonebase.com for some amazing online courses and lessons for Violin, Piano or Guitar. The best online platform with hundreds of instructional videos and lessons for musicians of all levels! Check it out and use Promo Code SAMI-30 at Checkout for a 14-day FREE trial and 30% off for a yearly subscription. Sign up TODAY!

Thanks to our corporate sponsor U.S. PAVE!

Check out our website www.downthepit.com

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod and @samiviolin

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836 -

Producer: Sami Merdinian - Assistant Producer: Chris Ellis

https://www.downthepit.com

https://luciamicarelli.com/

@theloosh

Great conversation with composer extraordinaire, Emmy Award-winning and Grammy® nominated Adam Schoenberg who has been named among the top 10 most performed living composers by orchestras in the United States twice. His works have received performances and premieres at the Library of Congress, Kennedy Center, New York Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and Hollywood Bowl. In this episode we talk about his musical family and his direct relation to George Gershwin. He talks about the very different experience he felt attending the Oberlin Conservatory VS The Juilliard School, the importance of having a support network, the path that took him to Los Angeles and to start a family there. He also shares details about the process of writing the Cello Concerto "Automation" for a human soloist and a hologram using technology and Artificial Intelligence, and some secrets to his huge success!

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit.

Visit tonebase.com for some amazing online courses and lessons for Violin, Piano or Guitar. The best online platform with hundreds of instructional videos and lessons for musicians of all levels! Check it out and use Promo Code SAMI-30 at Checkout for a 14-day FREE trial and 30% off for a yearly subscription. Sign up TODAY!

Check out our website www.downthepit.com

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod and @samiviolin

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836 -

Producer: Sami Merdinian - Assistant Producer: Chris Ellis

https://www.downthepit.com

https://adamschoenberg.com/

@adamshoenbergmusic

Last episode of Season 2 of Down the Pit, and final part of our conversation with Film & TV Composer Jeff Cardoni. Jeff’s talents range from intimate independent fare to full orchestral majesty. With over 45 feature film scores and several network series to his credit, one can hear his work worldwide every day. His unique ability to cross genres has made him a power-ful player in the film composing industry.  In this episode Jeff compares writing for TV vs Film, staying true to himself and usually going for 1st takes, his amazing experience writing for the show Heels, his solo album Nuovo Futuro, reviews, advice for people trying to get into the industry, a lot of laughter and a wonderful way to end Season 2 and 2021. Happy New Year to all and please stay tuned for the launching of Season 3!

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit.

Check out our new website www.downthepit.com

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836 -

Producer: Sami Merdinian - Assistant Producer: Chris Ellis

https://www.downthepit.com

https://www.jeffcardoni.com/

@jeff_cardoni

Part 1 of our conversation with 2019 ASCAP Composer of the Year Jeff Cardoni. Jeff’s talents range from intimate independent fare to full orchestral majesty. With over 45 feature film scores and several network series to his credit, one can hear his work worldwide every day. His unique ability to cross genres has made him a power- ful player in the film composing industry.  CSI: Miami, MTV's Pimp my Ride, Golden Globe winning Netflix series The Kominsky Method, as well as the final season of HBO’s hit Silicon Valley and Starz Series Heels, are some of the scores he has written in his incredible career so far. In this episode we have a fun and laid back chat about his childhood, doing all the "right" things as a kid,  going to school for engineering, moving to DC and ultimately LA as a rock guitar player, transitioning to composing, his struggles in LA in his first few years, going all-in, his lucky break, staying true to himself, recording for TV vs Movies, and a great insight into the Film Score Industry.

Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Podcast. A lot of work goes into bringing Down the Pit to you, and we would to know your thoughts on how we are doing! To become a Down the Pit supporter for as little as $0.99/month, please visit www.Anchor.FM/Down-the-Pit.

Check out our new website www.downthepit.com

We are on Instagram/TikTok/Twitter @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit Podcast

Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836 -

Producer: Sami Merdinian - Assistant Producer: Chris Ellis

https://www.downthepit.com

https://www.jeffcardoni.com/

@jeff_cardoni