Happy Holidays! Today's episode features Marisa Ishikawa, 2nd violinist of the Carpe Diem String Quartet. She and Ariana chat about quartet life, traveling, the steps they take to be able to make music together in the midst of the pandemic, and the innovative projects their group has in the works. 

Here's where you can find Marisa's website, and make sure to check out the Carpe Diem String Quartet, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to their Youtube channel!

~Musical selection is the Christmas Song, arr. by Korine Fujiwara~

Episode 17 features musician power couple Gabrielle and Tommy Glass! Gabi (viola) and Tommy (baritone) share the story of their relationship, and how they navigate the ups and downs. They talk about what it's like to have two professional musicians in a relationship - the advantages and the difficulties! We also discuss the challenges of being freelance musicians in the current climate, and Sgt. Pepper Glass makes a special guest appearance.

Learn more about Polaris! Also follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news and announcements of their projects. Check out Tommy Glass's website.

Find Gabrielle and Tommy on Instagram,  and their dog Sgt. Pepper for some great canine content.

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana

On this mini episode, Ariana gets vulnerable and opens up about the challenges facing her and many others during this time. She shares about her struggles with motivation, comparison, and adjusting expectations. She also shares some ways that she's been dealing with these issues, like learning to adapt and having self-compassion. If this resonates with you, feel free to get in touch to share what you're going through and how you've been tackling your obstacles!

Check out the Carpe Diem String Quartet, follow them on Instagram and subscribe to their Youtube channel.

The closing tune is called "High Jig," taught to Ariana and Michael by Lily Honigberg and McKinley James from Folkway Workshop!

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana

Today's guests are musician sisters Maya and Hana Cohon! Originally from Seattle, Washington, Maya (violin) and Hana (cello) both are classically trained professional musicians - but recently have been trying their hand at some other genres of music. They've been learning fiddle tunes from all over the world by ear, and starting to get more gutsy with improvisation. They talk about the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, and how that helps us continue to grow and evolve in whatever field we are in. This episode features some recordings of a special new group that has recently been formed - listen up! 

Find out more about the Folkway Workshops, where the Cohons have been learning some fun tunes.

Follow @mayacohon, @hcohon, and their sweet dogs Kina and Aki on Instagram. 

Check out their new band with Ariana, the Pacific Crest Trio! Support them on Patreon!

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana 

Violinist Genevieve Smelser joins the podcast today to share her tips and tricks to live a less wasteful and more eco-friendly lifestyle. Listen closely and take notes! She spills some of her favorite recipes for homemade skincare and cleaning products. Genevieve studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Rice University, and is now a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. You'll get to hear Genevieve in a performance of an iconic Brahms chamber music work...with unique instrumentation!

Click on the links to learn more about these sustainable organizations: KeepCup, EarthHero, Package Free Shop. Remember to do your part and vote in the upcoming election. That's the best thing you can do for the environment right now! And let us know if you try any of Genevieve's DIY ideas.

Follow Genevieve on Instagram at @c_est_la_vieve, and stay tuned for her website. Learn more about the Fever Candlelight concert series that Genevieve performs on.

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana

In the second installment of the Mystery Moment series, the tables have turned as her mom Karen plays host and asks Ariana about her yoga practice. Ariana shares a recording of her recent performance of the solo cello piece, "in manus tuas" by Caroline Shaw.

Check out the Houston-based new music ensemble, Loop38.

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) Send me a screenshot of your review or post on social media, and I'll send you some new podcast swag. New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana 

Welcome back friends, it's been a hot minute! Today's guest is Roger Nelson, who pretty much does anything and everything musical. He's a pianist, composer, conductor, singer, and teacher to name a few...and he's my dad! In this episode he shares about his career teaching at Cornish College of the Arts, as well as many of his other musical endeavors. He's also a man of the earth- he loves biking, gardening, and composting, in true Seattle fashion. 

The tunes featured in this episode were composed by Roger, and are entitled "Frosty Morn" (waltz) and "Evan and Gina" (jig). Other musicians on the recording are Karen Iglitzin, violin, and Ariana (myself), cello. To inquire about and purchase the albums, email Roger at [email protected]

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded on Fridays. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana 

In this episode, Ariana answers some questions from listeners. Tune in to learn a little bit more about cello, time management, as well as some insider info about the title of the podcast!

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday. Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana 

French horn player Spencer Park joins Ariana to talk about the importance and rewards of physical fitness, mindfulness, and setting goals. You'll also get to hear Spencer's heartfelt tone when he reveals a performance of one of most beautiful horn solos in the classical repertoire, from Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. Spencer invited a few friends from all different corners of the country to collaborate- he knitted it together for the final product. The other musicians in the recording are Natalie Gaynor, violin; Karen Iglitzin, viola; Ariana Nelson, cello; Michael Marks, bass; Mayu Isom, oboe; Sean Krissman, clarinet. 

Spencer is based in Houston, TX where he is a member of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet orchestras. He studied at BYU and Rice University. Spencer has also created a special practice app for brass players, called Quality Tones. If you're a brass player, or even if you're not, check it out! Find him on Instagram @spencer.w.park

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday.  Contact me with questions/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana 

Join Ariana and her colleagues for a quick candid chat about two of the most famous string chamber music pieces in the classical repertoire. These musicians have been playing chamber music (socially distanced and masked up!) at a farm in Washington state as part of the Concerts in the Barn Music festival. Their final concert will feature the Schubert Cello Quintet and the Brahms G Major String Sextet. Full program is listed below! In the Schubert chat you'll hear from Ariana, Korine, and Walter. The other three discussing the Brahms are Charles, Elisa, and Rachel.

Make sure to catch the final performance of Concerts in the Barn, live streamed on Sunday July 26, at 2 pm Pacific Time. Learn more and find the video on the Concerts in the Barn website. (Video can be accessed after the live stream as well.)

Program for Sunday's concert:

“Romance is Always in Style”

Chas Wetherbee, violin

An unabashed tribute to romanticism by two of our greatest composers of the genre.

Thanks for listening! Hit that subscribe button and please rate, review, and share with your friends :) New episodes uploaded every Friday.  Contact me with comments/suggestions via my website www.ariananelson.com Follow along on Instagram at @keeping.cup.with.ariana