Let's Talk Off The Podium

Ep. 75: George Jackson, conductor   George Jackson is a London-born conductor who has worked distinguished orchestras such as the Philharmonie de Paris, Hamburg State Opera and many others.   In this episode we discuss the role of a conductor in the 21st century, importance of community engagement, conducting competitions, masterclasses and working with soloists. George also speaks about the role of a Music Director, guest conductors, community and youth orchestras, the differences in opera and symphonic conducting. He also speaks about his passion for cooking, comedy and podcasts.       For more information about George Jackson visit his official website: https://www.georgejackson.net/   © Off The Podium, 2019

Ep. 74: Angela Drăghicescu, pianist    Angela Drăghicescu is a collaborative pianist who has worked around the world, teaches the art of collaborative piano and is actively promoting women composers and new music.   On this episode we spoke about her collaboration with Jennifer Higdon, Women Who Score, music competitions, early career in Romania and the move to the United States. She also spoke about the art of collaborative piano and the importance of the art form.   Recorded at a coffee shop in Seattle.   Articles by Angela Drăghicescu can be found: https://www.womenwhoscore.org/   © Off The Podium, 2019

Ep. 73: Gregg Belisle-Chi, guitarist and composer   Gregg Belisle-Chi is a Brooklyn, NY based guitarist and composer. He recently released his latest album called the Book of Hours.    In this podcast we discuss: his early start in music, inspirational teachers and musicians, the release of his latest album, collaborating with his wife and much more!   Articles by Gregg Belisle-Chi can be found: http://greggbelislechi.com/     © Off The Podium, 2019

Ep. 72: Gavin Borchert, journalist and composer   Gavin Borchert is a Seattle based journalist and composer. He currently works for the Seattle Weekly and has a doctoral degree in composition.   In this podcast we discuss: his career as a journalist, the importance of journalism, change in approach to journalism, inspirations for composing and the struggles of a working musician. He also talks about composing despite the lack of performance opportunities, direction and freedom of young composers, the future of classical music and the competition it faces in the 21st century, his time on jeopardy, diversity in classical music and lastly his passion for the Seattle Sounders.   Articles by Gavin Borchert can be found: http://www.seattleweekly.com/author/gavin-borchert/   © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 71 feature video games composer and guitarist Steve Kirk.

Kirk has composed music for video games, including the Zynga Facebook game FarmVille, the BioWare online game Star Wars: The Old Republic, the Disney game for The Princess and The Frog feature film, and the full soundtrack of Voodoo Vince for the Xbox. He has also composed and played guitar for the Club Foot Orchestra.

In this podcast his start in music, inspirations, life changing moments, Frank Zappa, composing for videos games, struggles and tribulations of a musician. We also discuss his new life in Seattle and playing in a jazz band.

To learn more about Steve Kirk visit: http://www.stevekirkpop.com/

© Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 70 features pianist and health performance mentor, Daniel Roberts.

Daniel Roberts helps the future generation of pianists perform without tension. Inspired by the methods of his late mentor Peter Feuchtwanger, Roberts helps pianists through his lessons in Brazil and virtually around the world.

In this podcast we discuss:

We discuss his studies with Peter Feuchtwanger, mentoring/teaching the next generation of pianists, healthy performance methods and career as a pianist in Brazil. Roberts also talks about music education, hobbies and much more!   To learn more about Daniel Roberts and his work visit:  https://www.danielrobertsmusic.com/     © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 69 features composer and saxophone player Dorone Paris.

Dr. Paris is an Israeli-born contemporary composer and a professional saxophone player, living & working in Ireland.

In this podcast we discuss:

We discuss her passion for music, philosophy and work as a political composer. She speaks about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, her work in music which inspires change, diversity, education and much more. Being raised and educated in Israel influenced her political ideas and affected her musical creativity, aesthetics and philosophy. She is the founder of PATH art: an organization dedicated to convincing her people that a peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in Israel-Palestine is both possible and necessary.   To learn more about Dorone Paris and her work visit:  http://www.doroneparis.com/p/home   © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 68 features pianist and composer Mesrop Sarkisyan.

Mesrop Sarkisyan is a classical trained pianist who at 19 pursued his love for jazz and recently released an album that fuses his influences and passions to make a unique sound.

In this podcast we discuss:

His early beginnings as a classical pianist, college studies in jazz at the award winning CSUN Jazz program, and his new album. Mesrop struggled with serious depression and anxiety for two years but overcame the battle through Alexander technique and his endless passion for music. This is a unique conversation that explores the young artists struggles and eventual victory.    To learn more about Mesrop Sarkisyan and his new album please visit: https://mesrop.bandcamp.com/album/stuff   © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 67 features conductor David A. Rahbee.

Dr. Rahbee is a Senior Artist in Residence at the University of Washington School of Music in Seattle, where he is director of orchestral activities and teaches conducting. 

In this podcast we discuss:

Work at the University of Washington, starting a new orchestra on campus, his musical life in Europe, diversity during the classical period, influential teachers, programming for the season, the Haydn Experience, diversity in classical time period, and influential teachers. Dr. Rahbee also talks about  forming a new orchestra, how to make classical music relevant for today, language and music, advice to young musicians and his role with the Daniel's Orchestral Music.   To learn more about David A. Rahbee please visit: http://www.davidrahbee.com/biography.html   © Off The Podium, 2017 

Episode 66 features harpsichordist, pianist and music director, Byron Schenkman

In this podcast we discuss:

His concert series Byron Schenkman and Friends, co-founding the Seattle Baroque Orchestra, career as a harpsichordist and a pianist, early passion for harpsichord, promoting concerts and what it takes to build a big following. Byron also talks about inspirations, diversity in early music, recording over 30 albums, programming a season, music, religion and much more.    To learn more about Byron Schenkman please visit: http://byronschenkman.com/   © Off The Podium, 2017