Feeding the Starving Artist: Finding Success as an Arts Entrepreneur

Seth Parker Woods kicks off the 5th season of the Feeding the Starving Artist Podcast!

Hailed by The Guardian as “a cellist of power and grace” who possesses “mature artistry and willingness to go to the brink,” the multi Grammy-nominated cellist has established his reputation as a versatile artist and innovator across multiple genres.

As The New York Times  wrote, “Woods is an artist rooted in classical music, but whose cello is a vehicle that takes him, and his concertgoers, on wide-ranging journeys.”  Also at the forefront of fashion, Woods has topped “best-dressed” lists in Variety, Texas Monthly, and the OC Register. Woods has served on the faculty of the USC Thornton School of Music since 2022 and was appointed Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music in 2024. 

Among the highlights of his 2024/25 season, Woods performs in the world premiere of Nathalie Joachim’s cello concerto Had to Be at Spoleto Festival USA, later performing its New York premiere in his debut with the New York Philharmonic. He performed the East Coast premiere of Rebecca Saunders’ cello concerto Ire  with The Next Festival of Emerging Artists and made his Los Angeles Philharmonic debut in the world premiere of a cello concerto by Julia Adolphe.

A core member of the music collective Wild Up, Woods performs as a soloist in the group’s Grammy-nominated Eastman Project: Eastman Vol. 4: The Holy Presence, released June 2024 on New Amsterdam Records. Woods is featured alongside flutist Claire Chase on a recording of music by Anna Thorvaldsdottir on New Focus Recordings. 

During the 2023/24 season, Woods brought his Grammy-nominated, autobiographical tour de force Difficult Grace to San Diego and Philadelphia, following the world premiere at New York’s 92nd Street Y and performances at UCLA and Chicago’s Harris Theater the previous season.  Difficult Grace was released as an album on Cedille Records in 2023 and was nominated for the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo. Woods also performed the Boston premiere of Thorvaldsdottir’s UBIQUE at Harvard University and was featured in performances with violinist Hilary Hahn at Konzerthaus Dortmund in Germany. With American Modern Opera Company, Woods toured a new version of John Adams’ El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered. 

In addition to solo performances, Woods has appeared with the Atlanta and Seattle symphonies, in chamber music with Hilary Hahn and pianist Andreas Haefliger, and with European ensembles including ICTUS Ensemble, Ensemble L’Arsenale, zone Experimental, Basel Sinfonietta, and Ensemble LPR. A fierce advocate for contemporary arts, Woods has collaborated with artists representing the classical, popular music, and visual art worlds.  

In recent years, Woods has appeared in concert at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms, the Aspen Music Festival, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Das Haus (Brussels), and Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain (Strasbourg), among many other venues.

In addition to his post at USC, Woods serves on the artist faculty of the Music Academy of the West each summer. He holds degrees from Brooklyn College and Musik-Akademie Basel, as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Huddersfield. He previously served as Artist in Residence with Kaufman Music Center and the Seattle Symphony and was named an honoree of the 2023 Seattle Symphony Silver Anniversary Gala and recipient of the 2022 Chamber Music America Michael Jaffee Visionary Award.

Lee Trevathan serves as the Director of Operations and Community Outreach at the Highlands (NC) Performing Arts Center. She is a classically trained actor with nearly 20 years professional experience as an actor and teacher in London, New York, Chicago, and Houston among others.

Lee received a B.F.A. (Hons) in Acting from London’s International Drama School, Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance.  Along with acting, Lee found great joy being a Teaching Artist for the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX. She taught Voice and Movement technique in their Conservatory program and worked with foreign doctors in the Houston Medical Center with Alley Articulated.

Lee is immersed in the artistic life of the Highlands - Cashiers, NC plateau embraces the exciting and creative opportunities at the PAC.

Lee Trevathan serves as the Director of Operations and Community Outreach at the Highlands (NC) Performing Arts Center. She is a classically trained actor with nearly 20 years professional experience as an actor and teacher in London, New York, Chicago and Houston.

Lee received a B.F.A. (Hons) in Acting from London’s International Drama School, Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance.  Along with acting, Lee found great joy being a Teaching Artist for the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX. She taught Voice and Movement technique in their Conservatory program and worked with foreign doctors in the Houston Medical Center with Alley Articulated.

Lee is very happy with her move to the beautiful town of Highlands and embraces the exciting and creative opportunities at the PAC.

Artist Entreprenuer Susan Zhang rejoins the Feeding the Starving Artist podcast.

In addition to her work with the Concert Truck, Susan is an acclaimed pianist with "astounding musical authority" (Columbia Free Times), Susan made her orchestral debut at the age of twelve with the Augusta Symphony. She has since been featured as a soloist with the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Aiken Civic Orchestra, the University of South Carolina Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.

She has performed in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre and Woodruff Arts Center as well as numerous other venues in North America, Europe, and Asia. Her recordings have been featured on SC Public Radio.

Susan was a prizewinner of the Thousand Islands Chopin Competition, the Bauru-Atlanta Competition, the Burgos International Music Festival Competition, the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, South Carolina MTNA Young Artist Competition, and the University of South Carolina Concerto Competition. Her summer festival appearances include Pianofest in the Hamptons, the Banff Piano Master Class, Burgos International Music Festival, the Southeastern Piano Festival, and Brevard Music Center.Susan is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and the University of South Carolina. Her primary teachers have included Marina Lomazov, Joseph Rackers, Enrico Elisi, and Boris Slutsky. Susan has served on faculty at the Gilman School and Peabody Conservatory.

Artist Entreprenuer Susan Zhang joins the Feeding the Starving Artist podcast.

In addition to her work with the Concert Truck, Susan is an acclaimed pianist with "astounding musical authority" (Columbia Free Times), Susan made her orchestral debut at the age of twelve with the Augusta Symphony. She has since been featured as a soloist with the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Aiken Civic Orchestra, the University of South Carolina Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.

She has performed in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre and Woodruff Arts Center as well as numerous other venues in North America, Europe, and Asia. Her recordings have been featured on SC Public Radio.

Susan was a prizewinner of the Thousand Islands Chopin Competition, the Bauru-Atlanta Competition, the Burgos International Music Festival Competition, the Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, South Carolina MTNA Young Artist Competition, and the University of South Carolina Concerto Competition. Her summer festival appearances include Pianofest in the Hamptons, the Banff Piano Master Class, Burgos International Music Festival, the Southeastern Piano Festival, and Brevard Music Center.
Susan is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and the University of South Carolina. Her primary teachers have included Marina Lomazov, Joseph Rackers, Enrico Elisi, and Boris Slutsky. Susan has served on faculty at the Gilman School and Peabody Conservatory.

DJ Trevor D. rejoing the podcast with an inside look of his work as a DJ and some great stories from his years of experience as a DJ.

Trevor is a native of Charleston, SouthCarolina with years of DJ and major event experience under his belt.

From festivals and parties and formal boutiqueweddings to special events, corporate meetings, and fundraisers, Trevor has the experience to read a crowd and make sure the event has the right vibes from start to end.

Trevor is in demand locally, nationally, and internationally with his ability to pick the perfect mix for the audience.

DJ Trevor D. is a native of Charleston, SouthCarolina with years of DJ and major event experience under his belt.

From festivals and parties and formal boutiqueweddings to special events, corporate meetings, and fundraisers, Trevor has the experience to read a crowd and make sure the event has the right vibes from start to end.

Trevor is in demand locally, nationally, and internationally with his ability to pick the perfect mix for the audience.

Scotty Barnhardt rejoins the Feeding the Starving Artist podcast! William "Scotty" Barnhart is an American jazz trumpeter. A three-time Grammy winner, he hasplayed since 1993 as a featured soloist with CountBasie Orchestra. 

In September 2013, Barnhart was announced asthe new director of the Basie Orchestra.  He has multiple recordings with pianist Marcus Roberts, as well as recordings with Tony Bennett, DianaKrall, Ray Charles, and Tito Puente.

A solo CD, released with Unity Music, is titled Say It Plain and features Clark Terry, Ellis, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Jamie Davis and Etienne Charles; it achieved number 3 on the JazzCharts.

Also active as an educator and clinician, he is author of The World of Jazz Trumpet - A Comprehensive History and Practical Philosophy (published by Hal Leonard). He is a professor in the College of Music at Florida State University.

Scotty was born in Atlanta, Georgia and was amember of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was christened by Martin Luther King Jr.

Scotty Barnhart is an American jazz trumpeter. A three-time Grammy winner, he has played since 1993 as a featured soloist with CountBasie Orchestra. 

In September 2013, Barnhart was announced asthe new director of the Basie Orchestra. He has multiple recordings with pianist Marcus Roberts, as well as recordings with Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Ray, Charles, and Tito Puente. A solo CD, released with Unity Music, is titled Say It Plain and features Clark Terry, Ellis, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Roberts, Jamie Davis and Etienne Charles; it achieved number 3 in the Jazz Charts.

Also active as an educator and clinician, heis author of The World of Jazz Trumpet - A Comprehensive History and Practical Philosophy (published by Hal Leonard). He is a professor in the College of Music at Florida State University.

Scotty was born in Atlanta, Georgia and was amember of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where he was christened by MartinLuther King Jr.

Douglas Droste rejoins the Feeding the Starving Artist podcast!

Doug is recognized as possessing an "obvious joy" for making music and a "sure sense of timing" when on the podium. Those under his baton routinely acknowledge his in-depth interpretations, keen sense of communication and personable ability to empower musicians.

Doug's guest conducting appearances include the INSO-Lviv Symphony Orchestra (Ukraine), and the orchestras of Kansas City, Indianapolis, Columbus, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Midland-Odessa, Fox Valley (IL), Chappaqua (NY), and the Amarillo Virtuosi. Equally at home in the pit, he has conducted over 30 productions of opera, ballet and musical theatre. Droste has also led eclectic shows with artists such as Black Violin, Ben Folds, The Flaming Lips, Pink Martini, Michael Cavanaugh, Time for Three, Christian Howes, and Disney’s All-American College Orchestra Alumni, among others. He previously served as artistic director of the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, where he was praised for dynamic performances, innovative programming and his rapport with musicians and community.

A dedicated teacher, Doug is director of orchestral studies at the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Performing Arts, where he conducts the Baldwin Wallace Symphony Orchestra and teaches conducting. He regularly programs traditional repertoire, works by underrepresented composers, as well as new music by the composers of today. He also seeks unique collaborations and projects, such as Ron McCurdy’s Langston Hughes Project, sensory friendly concerts for children with special needs, and a recording with Tony Award winner Sutton Foster, "Take Me to the World," on the Ghostlight label.