This week, I sat down with the lovely women who make up Parhelion Trio (Sarah Carrier, flute; Ashlee Miller, clarinet; Andre Christie, piano) to talk about their unique ensemble and their approach creating their own musical voice. And everything that goes with that.

Featured on this episode, the Trio performs "Techno-Parade" by Guillaume Connesson.

For all things Parhelion:

parheliontrio.com

facebook.com/ParhelionTrio

And as I mention on this episode, I will be donating a dollar to the victims and families affected by today's Orlando tragedy for each Divergent Paths download over the next 7 days. SHARE. Or donate yourself. Help your fellow humans.

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with (fellow caffeine-jacked Mannes alum) Sebastian Vera, principal trombonist of the Pittsburgh Opera and the River City Brass Band, and co-founder of the annual Third Coast Trombone Retreat in Montague, Michigan. We got into the how one becomes a complete person, practicing gratefulness, Third Coast's mission, and all sorts of other things.

Featured on this episode, Sebastian performing (3-time guest) Ben Brody's "Time in Waves" for solo trombone and delay.

For more information on the Third Coast Trombone Retreat, go to:

tromboneretreat.com

For all things Sebastian:

twitter.com/sebastianvera

instagram.com/johnsebastianvera

HE'S ALSO ON LINKEDIN! YEAH!

This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Mary Hammann, violist and 25 year member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. And she is a delight to talk to. We talk about the exhaustion that comes along with playing 7 operas a week, the delight of having an opera performance life, and maybe why younger audiences don't appreciate opera as much?

Listen to Mary at the Met (of course), but also as a member of the critically-acclaimed Aureole Trio (with flautist Laura Gilbert and harpist Stacey Shames):

aureoletrio.com

Check out more on Mary and the rest of the Met Opera Musicians at:

metorchestramusicians.org

This week, I sit down with the great owner and head craftsman of J. Landress Brass, the leading brass repair shop in New York City. We talk through his origins in brass repair, his time in the Marines, his rise through Sam Ash, his love of working brass instruments, and the importance of the brass community that surrounds Josh Landress Brass.

ALSO, a special offer for podcast listeners! Go to the workshop at 153 W. 36th St., mention the podcast, and get 15% off any accessories or repairs (BUT NOT NEW INSTRUMENTS)! Worth it.

For all this Landress:

jlandressbrass.com

facebook.com/JLandressBrass

This week for my 40th (!) episode, one of my most fun chats with all four members of the wonderful brass quartet, The Westerlies (Riley Mulherkar, Zubin Hensler, Andy Clausen, and Willem de Koch)! We talk about the formation of the group, the challenges that come with it, ensemble philosophies, developing a unique ensemble voice, the balance in group energy, and most importantly, Big Truck City and The Love Square!

Featured on this episode are two tracks from their last album, Wish the Children Would Come On Home: The Music of Wayne Horvitz: "The Store, The Campfire" and "Wish the Children Would Come On Home."

For all things Westerlies:

westerliesmusic.com

facebook.com/westerliesmusic

twitter.com/westerliesmusic

ENJOY!

This week, Judy Mendenhall (Principal Flautist, American Ballet Theater; Woodwind Chair, Mannes School of Music) sits down with me to talk about her career and teaching. She is a wonderful person. So enjoy the interview.

To see her (or hear her) with ABT:

http://www.abt.org/calendar.aspx

This week, I sat down with the delightful bandleader Liberte-Anne Lymberiou to talk about her band The Liberte Big Band and other jazz related things. We talk about her music, her background, and the challenges of being a young bandleader and composer in such the crucible of New York City.

Featured on this episode:

Ali's Danse - The Liberte Big Band - Live at the Shrine in Harlem

For all things Liberte Big Band:

facebook.com/libertebigband

libertebigband.com

instagram.com/libertebigband

This week, I sat down with Misha Piatigorsky (2004 Thelonius Monk Composition Winner), leader of the Sketchy Orkestra, a wonderful jazz/rock/hiphop fusion of styles for strings/horns/rhythm, and piano. We talk about the origins of the group, the challenges of writing for strings in a jazz context, and putting together great music for unusual instrumentations.

Featured on this episode:

"Space Oddity", performed by Sketchy Black Dog (the Orkestra's precursor)

AND

"Everytime", performed by Sketchy Orkestra feat. Emily Braden

Check out Sketchy Orchestra at Zinc Bar on April 29 and at Le Poisson Rouge on May 16.

For all things Sketchy:

sketchyorkestra.com

facebook.com/sketchyorkestra

There are a million brass quintets. So why start a new one? This week I sit down with three of the awesome women (Erin Paul, Sara Mayo, and Jen Hinkle) of Calliope Brass to talk shop. Side note: Calliope Brass is all women. We talk about the reasoning and strategies behind starting a new group, surviving and thriving as women in a male-dominated musical strata (the brass community), and really cool music. This was one of the most fun tapings I have had the pleasure of doing so I hope you enjoy it!

Also, go see their upcoming show at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (20 Cumming St.) on April 25 at 7PM. It's gonna be dope.

For all things Calliope Brass:

calliopebrass.com

facebook.com/calliopebrass

twitter.com/calliopebrass

This week, I sit down with my friend Aleks Karjaka to talk about so much: struggling through freelance life, his history as an entrepreneur, our mutual love of New York, ART! SO MUCH ART!, shooting for one's dreams, and the intersection of music and photography.

Also! A special offer this week! If you go to karjaka.com and book a studio session with Aleks, mention this interview and get 20% off! You won't be disappointed with his work. I promise.

For all things Aleks Karjaka:

karjaka.com

facebook.com/karjakastudios

instagram.com/karjaka