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Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! I'd love to say I saved this episode for last to match with the Christmas holidays but in fact I saved this episode for last because I was feeling very unconfident about my ability to play jazz or even talk about it. I debated not recording this one because the music is so outside my wheelhouse but it brought up some topics I felt were relevant to a freelancer's creative life. How do you know when to work on a skill to improve, and how do you know when to leave well enough alone and stay in your own lane? Here's the final episode of the VHS Tapes Series: A Charlie Brown Christmas!

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Oh Yenta, Yenta, Yenta. This episode is dedicated to my dear friend Agii, who has always been there for me in good times and bad. Your podcast inspired me to make my own and our daily chats are life giving. The spirit of Fiddler on the Roof reminds me of you and of your family's path to the states. I'm so grateful for our friendship, Happy Hanukkah my friend. Here's to the new year!

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Welcome to the 4th VHS tape of our series: Amadeus!

This is the first of the tapes that isn't really a kids movie. There are depictions of suicide attempts, blood, sex, etc. But, there are also many more depictions of sublime music, so make the call yourself on who in your house gets to watch this movie and who doesn't. The way Salieri talks about Mozart's music is some of the most enticing, appetizing, soul affirming descriptions of classical music you'll find in cinema. Please enjoy this Oscar winner for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Screenplay, Sound, Makeup, Costume Design and Art Direction from 1984. It's a masterpiece. 

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It's hard to overstate how impactful this film was to me as a young watcher and listener. 

Before I understood the Korean or English words being spoken at me as a baby, I was able to understand the musical gestures I was seeing and hearing on the screen with this film. Being able to understand a story with just visuals and music and no speaking was impactful beyond my comprehension and I'm so grateful for this film that transcends all language in any country as a universally understandable piece of art. Welcome to the 3rd VHS tape of this series: Fantasia!

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Can't afford music lessons for your kid in this economy? Just buy the Sound of Music and play on repeat. Maria was my first music teacher and she taught me so much about how music is constructed, complete with puppet shows and rolling hills. It'll be the best $14.99 you'll spend this year. Julie Andrews: baby's first music teacher. 

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The first episode of the VHS Tapes Series.

Join me as I explore the VHS Tapes of my childhood that were my first music teachers. First up: The Little Mermaid!

This was recorded in early May 2023 before the new version came out. I had seen the trailer online but the movie hadn't dropped yet. I loved Halle's version of the song as well, including her ascent to that high note on "aboooooooove". This music is truly timeless, thank you to Howard Ashman and Alan Menken for composing this heart bursting ballad. Bravo!

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Hi! Welcome to Just Add Music, a podcast for the music curious, aspiring music makers and anyone in need of a  creative companion on a lonely day. 

My name is Minna. I'm a professional composer living in the Bay Area. 15 years ago I started an orchestra called The Magik*Magik Orchestra and have composed music for hundreds of bands, filmmakers, artists on creative projects of all kinds. 

The one thing I wish someone had told me when I was younger was that you don't need to be a star to make a good living doing what you love. It took me 30 long years to finally trust my intuitive creative voice. I hope that by listening to this podcast, I can help speed up that process for you and help remove unnecessary roadblocks to releasing your own creative intuitions. 

If you have ever been curious about making music for fun or as a career but wondered what the day to day was like, I invite you to take a listen. The format is casual and unscripted. Think of it like a lunch between two friends talking music, craft and business. Welcome!

Credits:
Minna Choi - host, composer, music/audio editor
Nicole Wong - producer, story editor