Down the Pit

Continuation of our fun conversation with Latin Grammy Award winning bassist and composer Pedro Giraudo. He shares with us his style of composition, where he finds inspiration, what he does for fun his fear of aging and how he has changed his lifestyle to adjust to it. You will also listen to his composition "Con Creces" from his 2021 album Impulso Tanguero, featuring bandoneonist Rodolfo Zanetti, pianist Ahmed Alom and violinist Nick Danielson.

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.

Very soon we will be launching 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

http://pedrogiraudo.com/

Insta: @giraudo_pedro

Twitter: @pedrogiraudo

TikTok: @giraudopedro

Part 1 of our conversation with Latin Grammy Award winning bassist and composer Pedro Giraudo. In this episode he talks about growing uip in a musical family in Cordoba, Argentina, how he got into music, his musical journey that brought him to New York City, his experiences and differences between leading his big band in New York and being a guest in Japan and Germany, a close look at his style of composition that led him to win a Latin Grammy Award for Best Tango Album, his love for Japan, and his secrets to have a balanced life. 

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.

For a one time pledge, you can Venmo us at @downthepit

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

http://pedrogiraudo.com/

Insta: @giraudo_pedro

Twitter: @pedrogiraudo

TikTok: @giraudopedro

Part 2 of our conversation with pianists and entrepreneurs Audrey Vardanega and Christos Vayenas. We talk more about the next steps of Arium TV, support for the Arts, fair compensation for musicians, their source of inspiration, their hopes, their fears, and a lot more!

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.

If you would like to advertise with us, please email [email protected]

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.musaics.org/

https://www.arium.live/

http://audreyvardanegapianist.com/

https://www.cvayenas.com/

https://www.groupmuse.com/

@ariumtv

@audreyvardy

@musaicsofthebay

Part 1 of our conversation with pianists and entrepreneurs Audrey Vardanega and Christos Vayenas. We will learn about their careers, how they got into music, their upbringings in the Bay Area and the Northeast, how they transitioned during the pandemic, their passion to help musicians and their careers, as well as some of the awesome and unique ventures they are involved in like Group Muse, Musaics of the Bay, and their brand new Arium TV! 

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.

If you would like to advertise with us, please email [email protected] 

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.musaics.org/

https://www.arium.live/

http://audreyvardanegapianist.com/

https://www.cvayenas.com/

https://www.groupmuse.com/

@ariumtv

@audreyvardy

@musaicsofthebay

Part 1 of our conversation with the world-acclaimed British pianist Philip Edward Fisher. We will learn about his young years in Birmingham and how music took him to London, his love for soccer and snooker, his mentors, moving to NYC, the secret ingredient for the best Fish and Chips, playing by memory vs with music, the mind of the performer, how 9/11 directly affected one of his most special and powerful experiences on stage, and so much more during our educative and entertaining conversation. 

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. 

For a one time pledge, you can Venmo us at @downthepit

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

http://philipedwardfisher.com/

@philipedwardfisher

Here it is, the second part of our conversation with the incredible soprano and citizen artist Camille Zamora. In this episode Camille talks about her involvement with a Grammy-winning production, her response to 9/11 while living in NYC and how it lead to co-founding Sing for Hope, her fears, her hopes, her inspirations, (and maybe some dating advice for musicians?). A super fun and fascinating interview you do not want to miss!

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. Twitter/Instagram/TikTok: @downthepit_pod Facebook: Down the Pit Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian - Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836 - Producer: Sami Merdinian - Assistant Producer: Darci Griffith Gamerl

https://www.downthepit.com

https://camillezamora.com/cz30/

https://singforhope.com

@singforhope

@zamora_camille

We are very excited to share the 1st part of our conversation with the incredible soprano and citizen artist Camille Zamora. In this episode Camille will share some details about her childhood and her travels between Houston and Mexico, her relationship with classical music and other genres of music, Aspen Music Festival, remembering Ed Berkeley, the beauty and importance of simplicity, maintaining a healthy voice, soul and body, the behind the scenes of opera castings, equal representation in the field, warmups and decompressing routines, and why musicians need a skin of an elephant. 

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. Twitter & Instagram: @downthepit_pod Facebook: Down the Pit Co-hosts: Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836 Producer: Sami Merdinian Assistant Producer: Darci Griffith Gamerl 

https://www.downthepit.com 

https://camillezamora.com/cz30/

In the 2nd and final part of our interview with Mary Javian, we talk about some of the landmarks in her career, some amazing organizations she is involved with like Project440 (https://project440.org) and Voces8 (https://voces8.com), founding and curating LiveConnections (https://worldcafelive.com), performing and coming back to some kind of normality post-pandemic, some incredible words of advice on how to prepare ourselves for the future and how to help communities heal through music.

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.

Twitter & Instagram: @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit

Co-hosts:

Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian

Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836

Producer: Sami Merdinian

Assistant Producer: Darci Griffith Gamerl

Mary Javian’s goal as a performer, educator, curator and public speaker is to use music to create positive social change in communities. She has presented around the world in these areas for nearly two decades.

Ms. Javian has toured and performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra and other world-class ensembles as a double bassist. She has served as principal bass of the IRIS Orchestra and has recorded with the Philadelphia and IRIS orchestras, the Tanglewood Music Center, Network for New Music, Dolce Suono Ensemble, and the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music. She has performed recitals and given master classes in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Ms. Javian has received fellowships from the Tanglewood Music Center, the National Repertory Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Verbier Festival, where she is now a member of the faculty.

As chair of career studies at Curtis, Ms. Javian has created a dynamic social entrepreneurship curriculum that develops the entrepreneurial and advocacy skills that 21st-century musicians need. Her project-based classes help students create community partnerships that sustain both artistic and social value. Her students have gone on to start their own educational programs, innovative ensembles, and music festivals around the world.

Ms. Javian is frequently asked to speak about social entrepreneurship and community-based work, and has contributed to several books on these subjects. She has presented at numerous universities and conservatories; has consulted with organizations such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Savannah Music Festival; and has led workshops for programs across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Ms. Javian currently serves on the boards of two music education nonprofits, Project 440 and the VOCES8 Foundation in the U.S.

We are beyond excited to share the first part of our conversation with the incredible Mary Javian. In the episode we talk about her life in Philadelphia, using music to make a  positive impact in society, performing at the most prestigious stages as a bass player as well as bringing music to hospitals, prisons and the homeless, wearing many hats as a teaching artist and as a mom, her Philly cheesesteak recommendation and a very unique useless talent :) 

Mary Javian’s goal as a performer, educator, curator and public speaker is to use music to create positive social change in communities. She has presented around the world in these areas for nearly two decades.

Ms. Javian has toured and performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra and other world-class ensembles as a double bassist. She has served as principal bass of the IRIS Orchestra and has recorded with the Philadelphia and IRIS orchestras, the Tanglewood Music Center, Network for New Music, Dolce Suono Ensemble, and the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music. She has performed recitals and given master classes in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Ms. Javian has received fellowships from the Tanglewood Music Center, the National Repertory Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, and the Verbier Festival, where she is now a member of the faculty.

As chair of career studies at Curtis, Ms. Javian has created a dynamic social entrepreneurship curriculum that develops the entrepreneurial and advocacy skills that 21st-century musicians need. Her project-based classes help students create community partnerships that sustain both artistic and social value. Her students have gone on to start their own educational programs, innovative ensembles, and music festivals around the world.

Ms. Javian is frequently asked to speak about social entrepreneurship and community-based work, and has contributed to several books on these subjects. She has presented at numerous universities and conservatories; has consulted with organizations such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New World Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Savannah Music Festival; and has led workshops for programs across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Ms. Javian currently serves on the boards of two music education nonprofits, Project 440 and the VOCES8 Foundation in the U.S.

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.

Twitter & Instagram: @downthepit_pod

Facebook: Down the Pit

Co-hosts:

Sami Merdinian: @samimerdinian

Ian Loew: @lunchmeat1836

Producer: Sami Merdinian

Assistant Producer: Darci Griffith Gamerl