This week we’re featuring Pittsburgh based Music Therapist and singer/songwriter, Kennedy Jason! Kennedy gives us a peek into her daily life as a music therapist, pre and post covid, and walks us through the course load, skills, and process required to become a board certified music therapist. Kennedy talks about her love of working with senior clients, how music is used to treat anxiety and chronic pain, and how she hopes to use music as a way to help clients quit smoking.

The theme music for this episode is by Kennedy Jason, titled “I Will Knit You a Sweater.” Check out her music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0UVUynKoAOlbmRSc2S4JKS

If you have more questions for Kennedy, you can reach her at [email protected].

Website: https://www.kennedyjasonmusic.com/

In this episode Casey and Alaina have their first opportunity to re-interview a previous guest! Rewinding back to the third episode, guest Edna Jeon mentioned the idea of being in a woodwind quintet that would practice independently, and meet a few times a year in person to perform. After a year of meticulous planning and dedication,  'Our Time Wind Quintet' was formed.  While the 'perform in person' part of the dream has not yet been realized, OTWQ has managed to produce multiple high quality videos, concerts, and artist collaborations. The members of the group (in score order...of course) are: Edna Jeon on Flute, Jordan Pyle on Oboe, Dan Mills on Clarinet, Taryn Lee on Horn, and Keegan Hockett on Bassoon. 

"Our Time Wind Quintet specializes in performances that hold space for authentic connection and conversation. Members of the quintet are highly accomplished performers who integrate their collective passions and varied interests to create new ways to hold dialogue through chamber music. Through intentional and purposeful programming, Our Time offers a moment for attendees to reconnect with their simple but profound capacity to listen. The group aspires to share their joyous spirit through performance, educational engagement, and community partnerships. Our Time Wind Quintet holds space to weave together a more supportive humanity." To learn more about OTWQ visit their website 

When Alaina and I had everyone on a zoom call it was finally time to answer some very important logistical questions; What sort of mic set up is everyone working with? What is your recording process? What sort of 'hidden' roles do people have? What does OTWQ's future look like? We hope you enjoy listening to the answers of these questions and more! 

Show Links:

Dan Mills Gratitude Instagram Account: @dan.mills.art

Literary Music Library Concert:  28. Collaboration in Isolation 

Our Time Wind Quintet: Youtube Page, Facebook Page, Instagram Page, Website

Seattle based Oboist and Reed Maker, Jamie Sanidad joins us this week to talk about graduating college and entering life as a professional during the pandemic, teaching online, and starting a reed business! Jamie is one of the podcast's first listeners and a former studio mate of Alaina's during their undergraduate studies at Indiana University. Right now Jamie is building her career in Seattle, enjoying being close to her family and making oboists' lives better by providing them with good reeds :)

Visit Jamie's oboe reed website: https://www.pnwreeds.com/

Theme Music by The Maplewaves

We've got the whole team back for a discussion about our Digital Residency with Weinberg Terrace. What have we learned through our pitfalls and triumphs? What is working and what do we need to work on? With an hour concert expected every month and a handful of Music Moments weekly, the content creation has ramped up our creativity and unity as a chamber group. 

Theme music by The Maplewaves 

In this episode we are joined by a very inspirational teaching artist, Lauren Latessa. Lauren is the founder of the Iris Music Project whose mission as a 501(c)(3) non-profit is to reimagine residential and healthcare communities as spaces of creative exchange. Through collaboratively designed programming, Iris Music Project provides opportunities for connection and purpose for residents, caregivers, and musicians. Ears Engaged is currently in their training program to help recreate the IMP model at a senior living facility in Pittsburgh (online). Listen to learn more about Lauren, her path to creating the Iris Music Project and their model, and how the pandemic has affected their music making.

Get in touch with Lauren through email at: [email protected]

Resources:

irismusicproject.com

Being Mortal

The Art of Relevance

Theme Music: The Cactus Song by The Maplewaves

Resources to learn more, sign petitions, and get involved:

Good Black News FB Page

Black Lives Matter

NAACP

Color of Change

Campaign Zero - data informed platform that presents comprehensive solutions to end police violence in America.

Follow all of the above on Instagram plus these accounts for antiracism graphics:

@theconsciouskid

@theslacktivists

@blackandembodied

@moemotivate

Watch adds on this and following videos on YouTube to help fund raise for Black Lives Matter:

https://youtu.be/bCgLa25fDHM