Moveable Do

This week on Moveable Do, Steve brings the podcast journey to a close with a heartfelt farewell episode. After 128 interviews, 45 Moveable Snippets, 15 bonus episodes, and more than five years behind the microphone, Steve reflects on the remarkable path this show has taken—from a new mic and a dream in 2020 to a global community of listeners across more than 100 countries.

In this final episode, Steve looks back on Season 9’s inspiring guests, shares the stories behind this season’s opening music (“Amazing Grace” arranged for flute and piano, and “How Great Thou Art”), and offers a treasure trove of fascinating stats from the entire history of the show. He revisits some of the most memorable interviews, the shortest and longest episodes, and the unexpected ways Moveable Do has grown over time.

Steve also opens up about what he’s learned from nearly 5½ years of conversations with composers—the humanity behind the music, the wildly different paths that lead to creativity, and the truth that every composer has a story worth telling. With honesty and warmth, he shares why it’s time to bring this chapter to an end, what the future may hold, and how listeners have shaped and transformed the podcast along the way.

As a final invitation, Steve asks listeners to share their experiences with Moveable Do and offers encouragement for how these conversations might continue to inspire personal and musical growth long after the series concludes.

Featuring Steve’s own music from this season:
🎵 Amazing Grace
🎵 How Great Thou Art

Thank you to our guests for Season 9:

Ryan Murphy:https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/about/the-choir/ryan-murphy.html

Roxanna Panufnik: https://roxannapanufnik.com

Clark Lawlor: https://clarkwilliamlawlor.com

Karen Marrolli: https://karenmarrollimusic.com

Dan Davison: https://dandavisonmusic.com

Laura Farnell: https://laurafarnell.musicianeo.com

Matthew Peterson: https://www.matthew-peterson.com/

Christine Donkin: https://www.christinedonkin.com/

Erich Stem: https://www.erichstem.net/

Artmesia (Alexandra Olsavsky, Diana Lawrecne, and Kaitlin Foley): https://www.artemisiatrio.com/

Shaun Barrowes: https://www.paradiseplanets.com/

Alyson Fewless: https://alysonfewless.weebly.com/

Keane Southard: https://keanesouthard.com/

Shawn Kirchner: https://shawnkirchner.com/

Thank you for five incredible years. Keep the music moving.

For more of Steve’s work, visit SDCompose.weebly.com, and follow his ongoing podcasting adventures on the ACDA Podcast, the official podcast of the American Choral Directors Association.
For the full archive of Moveable Do, head to MoveableDo.com.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve wraps up Season 9 with acclaimed composer, arranger, and performer Shawn Kirchner. Known for his soaring melodies and genre-blending choral writing, Shawn’s music has become a favorite of ensembles worldwide. From setting Plath and Neruda to singing on soundtracks like La-La Land and Avatar, Shawn’s creative life bridges the sacred, poetic, and cinematic.

In this episode, Shawn shares stories from his Iowa upbringing as a triplet, the journey that brought him to Los Angeles, and his rich musical life as a session singer, church musician, and composer. We dive into his creative process, his love for poetry and folk traditions, and large-scale works like The Light of Hope Returning. Plus—hear what vegetable might inspire his next choral piece!

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Tulips (from Plath Songs)

• The Light of Hope Returning (excerpts: Joyous Welcome, Coventry Carol, Little Rose)

• Bright Angels Bless Thy Name (from his Bluegrass Mass)

• Brightest and Best

For more about Shawn Kirchner and his music, visit shawnkirchner.com. For the full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

Connect With Us!
Email: [email protected]
Website (New!): MoveableDo.com
Support: Patreon
Facebook: Page, Listener's Group
Instagram: @moveable_do_podcast

Affiliates:
Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.
Simply Piano: https://simplypiano.sjv.io/eKoX5z
Simply Guitar: https://hellosimply.pxf.io/LXvkk0
Amazon Music Unlimited: https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/moveabledo
Dad Jokes Merch: https://dadjokesmerch.weebly.com

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes composer, pianist, and musical activist Keane Southard. Known for his thoughtful fusion of artistry and advocacy, Keane’s music spans genres and continents—often reflecting themes of environmental justice, nonviolence, animal rights, and spiritual exploration. Whether hiking the Appalachian Trail or teaching in Brazil, his lived experiences resonate deeply in his compositions.

In this episode, Keane shares how childhood dreams, global travels, and long-distance hiking have shaped his musical voice. We explore his powerful Requiem for Animals, his deeply personal choral piece Do You Hear How Many You Are?, and his trail-inspired Appalachian Trail Symphony: New England. Keane discusses the balance between message and music, and how being both a pianist and composer enriches his storytelling. Plus—find out what musical argument might erupt between a hiking boot and a piano bench!

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Agnus Dei from Requiem for Animals

• Do You Hear How Many You Are?

• Lamentations

• Massachusetts from Appalachian Trail Symphony

For more about Keane Southard and his music, visit keanesouthard.com. For the full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

Connect With Us!
Email: [email protected]
Website (New!): MoveableDo.com
Support: Patreon
Facebook: Page, Listener's Group
Instagram: @moveable_do_podcast

Affiliates:
Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.
Simply Piano: https://simplypiano.sjv.io/eKoX5z
Simply Guitar: https://hellosimply.pxf.io/LXvkk0
Amazon Music Unlimited: https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/moveabledo
Dad Jokes Merch: https://dadjokesmerch.weebly.com

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve talks with multi-talented composer, songwriter, and sound designer Alyson Fewless. From high school serenades with her guitar to award-winning theatrical scores, Alyson’s music is an eclectic blend of emotional authenticity, theatrical flair, and thoughtful craft. Her journey has taken her from the stage to the screen—and now to New Zealand, where she composes while raising a family and exploring new creative territory.

In this episode, Alyson reflects on her early love of songwriting, her evolution into theater and film scoring, and the impact of motherhood on her creative process. We discuss the rhythmic experimentation behind her Prelude in G, the charm and complexity of her choral setting of Twinkle, Twinkle With Attitude, and the seasonal textures in Autumn (in four parts). Plus—hear what kind of climate her music would predict if it were a weather forecast!

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Believe (performed by Alyson Fewless)

• Prelude in G (solo piano)

• Twinkle, Twinkle With Attitude (SATB a cappella)

• Autumn (in four parts) (performed by the Lebanon Community Chorus)

For more about Alyson Fewless and her music, visit alysonfewless.weebly.com. For the full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

Connect With Us!
Email: [email protected]
Website (New!): MoveableDo.com
Support: Patreon
Facebook: Page, Listener's Group
Instagram: @moveable_do_podcast

Affiliates:
Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.
Simply Piano: https://simplypiano.sjv.io/eKoX5z
Simply Guitar: https://hellosimply.pxf.io/LXvkk0
Amazon Music Unlimited: https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/moveabledo
Dad Jokes Merch: https://dadjokesmerch.weebly.com

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes Emmy-nominated composer, singer-songwriter, and multimedia creator Shaun Barrowes. From competing on American Idol to creating a YA sci-fi novel with a full soundtrack and graphic audiobook, Shaun's work defies boundaries and blends story with song in powerful ways. Whether touring high schools with anthems like Live For Music or collaborating with artists like Lindsey Stirling and Imagine Dragons, his music is as cinematic as it is heartfelt.

In this episode, Shaun shares how his musical upbringing, American Idol journey, and passion for young musicians have shaped his creative output. He discusses the origins of The Paradise Planets, his ever-evolving creative process, and what inspires songs like Some Dreams Never Come True and Fountain of Youth. Plus—find out what he’d call a sci-fi musical about his life… and who he’d cast as his robot sidekick!

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Some Dreams Never Come True

• Live For Music

• See You on the Other Side

• Fountain of Youth

For more about Shaun Barrowes and his work, visit paradiseplanets.com. For the full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

Connect With Us!
Email: [email protected]
Website (New!): MoveableDo.com
Support: Patreon
Facebook: Page, Listener's Group
Instagram: @moveable_do_podcast

Affiliates:
Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.
Simply Piano: https://simplypiano.sjv.io/eKoX5z
Simply Guitar: https://hellosimply.pxf.io/LXvkk0
Amazon Music Unlimited: https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/moveabledo
Dad Jokes Merch: https://dadjokesmerch.weebly.com

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes the dynamic vocal trio Artemisia—Diana Lawrence, Alexandra Olsavsky, and Kaitlin Foley. Based in Chicago, Artemisia is a vocal theater ensemble dedicated to telling female-forward stories through genre-defying vocal music. With influences from classical, folk, pop, and global traditions, these three powerhouse performers blend original compositions with theatrical storytelling to create performances that are as thought-provoking as they are musically stunning.

In this episode, Artemisia shares the origins of their ensemble, the meaning behind their mission, and how their individual experiences as composers, educators, and mothers inform their collaborative work. You’ll hear about the viral success of What Happens When a Woman, the layered vulnerability of Who?, the choral mashup energy of Ready or Not, and the bittersweet humor of Go to Sleep. The trio reflects on motherhood, identity, and the evolution of women’s voices—both literal and figurative—in the world of vocal music. Plus—if Artemisia traveled through time in a musical time machine, what song would they sing? Find out!

Pieces featured on this episode:

• What Happens When a Woman (by Alexandra Olsavsky)

• Who? (by Kaitlin Foley)

• Ready or Not (by Diana Lawrence)

• Go to Sleep (by Alexandra Olsavsky)

For more about Artemisia and their music, visit artemisiatrio.com. For the full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

Connect With Us!
Email: [email protected]
Website (New!): MoveableDo.com
Support: Patreon
Facebook: Page, Listener's Group
Instagram: @moveable_do_podcast

Affiliates:
Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.
Simply Piano: https://simplypiano.sjv.io/eKoX5z
Simply Guitar: https://hellosimply.pxf.io/LXvkk0
Amazon Music Unlimited: https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/moveabledo
Dad Jokes Merch: https://dadjokesmerch.weebly.com

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes innovative composer and musical storyteller Erich Stem. Known for his emotionally resonant works and adventurous collaborations, Erich’s music explores connection—between place, people, and sound. From symphonies inspired by American landscapes to experimental chamber works rooted in poetry and personality, Erich brings a unique voice to the contemporary classical scene.

In this episode, Erich shares his musical journey, the inspiration behind his America By: A Symphonic Tour project, and how his work with ensembles like A/Tonal and ASS3MBLY Trio has shaped his compositional voice. You’ll hear how geography, narrative, and collaboration come together in pieces like Kayak, New Years, and Shenandoah. Plus—learn what snack food could inspire his next chamber work!

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Kayak

• New Years

• Moving On

• Shenandoah (from America By: A Symphonic Tour)

For more about Erich Stem and his music, visit erichstem.net. For the full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

Connect With Us!
Email: [email protected]
Website (New!): MoveableDo.com
Support: Patreon
Facebook: Page, Listener's Group
Instagram: @moveable_do_podcast

Affiliates:
Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.
Simply Piano: https://simplypiano.sjv.io/eKoX5z
Simply Guitar: https://hellosimply.pxf.io/LXvkk0
Amazon Music Unlimited: https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/moveabledo
Dad Jokes Merch: https://dadjokesmerch.weebly.com

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes celebrated Canadian composer and educator Christine Donkin. Known for her striking melodic clarity and structural inventiveness, Christine’s works are performed by major ensembles around the world and are widely featured in educational syllabi. Whether she’s writing pedagogical miniatures or large-scale choral pieces, Christine brings a thoughtful and compelling voice to contemporary music.

In this episode, Christine shares her early musical memories from rural Alberta, her passion for teaching and mentorship, and her approach to creating music that bridges artistry and accessibility. We explore her exploration of retrograde and palindromes, her collaboration with Indigenous artists, and the powerful refugee narrative behind Following the Moonroad. Plus—find out which animal choir she’d love to compose for!

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Sirkel (performed by Cantus)

• The Moon is the Stone That Shines (from Following the Moonroad)

• Palindrome in A Minor (Racecar) (performed by Catherine Donkin)

• Ascending Major Sixth – Foreground-Background (performed by Catherine Donkin)

For more about Christine Donkin and her music, visit christinedonkin.com. For the full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

Connect With Us!
Email: [email protected]
Website (New!): MoveableDo.com
Support: Patreon
Facebook: Page, Listener's Group
Instagram: @moveable_do_podcast

Affiliates:
Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.
Simply Piano: https://simplypiano.sjv.io/eKoX5z
Simply Guitar: https://hellosimply.pxf.io/LXvkk0
Amazon Music Unlimited: https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/moveabledo
Dad Jokes Merch: https://dadjokesmerch.weebly.com

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes genre-spanning composer Matthew Peterson. From the grandeur of symphonies and operas to the intimate nuance of choral textures, Matthew’s music defies boundaries while stirring the soul. Now based in Sweden and serving as Composer-in-Residence with Dalasinfoniettan, Matthew shares how his musical journey led from the U.S. to Europe, and what fuels his emotionally charged, stylistically rich compositions.

In this episode, Matthew reflects on his early musical influences, the mentors who shaped his voice, and the path that took him from St. Olaf College to the heart of Scandinavia’s classical scene. He also dives into his recent and upcoming projects—including a symphony, commissions for the Swedish Radio Choir, and a uniquely Swedish mass. Plus: find out which fictional character he'd love to score and what makes Sweden such a creative haven.

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Cantate Domino

• Adoramus Te

• Bright from An Inner Sky

• Heilig from Högalidsmässan

For more about Matthew Peterson and his music, visit matthew-peterson.com. For the full archive of episodes and more about the podcast, visit MoveableDo.com.

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Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.

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Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes beloved choral composer and educator Laura Farnell. With a background in teaching and a catalog of over 60 published choral works, Laura is known for her heartfelt, accessible music—particularly for middle school choirs. From her days as a classroom teacher to her work as a sought-after clinician, Laura brings insight, warmth, and intention to every piece she writes.

In this episode, Laura shares stories from her early musical life, her time in Texas classrooms, and the inspirations behind her latest compositions. You'll hear the moving story behind Roses I Give to You, her approach to setting texts that empower and uplift, and her thoughts on why writing for young singers is both joyful and essential. Plus—find out what book she’d choose as her favorite and why it means so much.

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Heart, We Will Forget Him!

• Roses I Give to You

• The Thunderstorm

• Be the Change

For more about Laura Farnell and her music, visit laurafarnell.musicaneo.com. For a full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

Connect With Us!
Email: [email protected]
Website (New!): MoveableDo.com
Support: Patreon
Facebook: Page, Listener's Group
Instagram: @moveable_do_podcast

Affiliates:
Steve and Moveable Do profit from purchases you make through these links.
Simply Piano: https://simplypiano.sjv.io/eKoX5z
Simply Guitar: https://hellosimply.pxf.io/LXvkk0
Amazon Music Unlimited: https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/moveabledo
Dad Jokes Merch: https://dadjokesmerch.weebly.com

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn money on eligible purchases.