A conversation with Gabriel Kovach, principal French horn of the Phoenix Symphony. We cover his education at Curtis and Juilliard, early professional experiences, teaching, his evolution with the Phoenix Symphony, and adaptation during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Highlights

• The Phoenix Symphony - 9:02
• Being a teacher - 18:23
• A very different teaching style - 22:31
• How this digital age can be beneficial - 24:41
• First years out of school - 30:33
• Being fortunate - 32:33
• His experience at Juilliard - 39:51
• Having resistance from a student - 42:20
• Education came first, then music - 45:36
• Making a life decision - 46:34
• Success in an orchestra? - 57:45
• The right partnership - 1:02:09
• Music is helpful - 1:05:02
• Changing the way people see hiring - 1:09:00
• Becoming a great teaching artist - 1:10:56

Episode Resources

• Connect with Robert Hunt Simonds:
• [email protected]
• http://roberthuntsimonds.com/
• http://craigwagnermusic.blogspot.com
• Connect with Gabriel Kovach
• Obituary of Gabe's mentor and teacher, the late Jerome Ashby: http://journal.juilliard.edu/journal/jerome-ashby-1956-2007
• Gabe's bio: https://www.curtis.edu/academics/faculty/summerfest-faculty-bios/gabriel-kovach/
• Gabe's Recommendations:
• "The New Toughness Training for Sports: Mental Emotional Physical Conditioning": https://www.amazon.com/New-Toughness-Training-Sports-Psychologists/dp/0452269989
• "The Art of Mental Training"- DC Gonzalez: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Mental-Training-Performance-Excellence/dp/1490581677/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1597364496&sr=1-3
• "The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times": https://www.amazon.com/The-Places-That-Scare-You-audiobook/dp/B077VVGN82/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PQP5X7ZPHYVY&dchild=1&keywords=the+places+that+scare+you+by+pema+chodron&qid=1597364590&s=books&sprefix=the+places+%2Cstripbooks%2C170&sr=1-1