Redefining the Musician

Listen to John's story in this episode as he has worked alongside his job as a pilot and flight instructor to build the North Texas Symphony Orchestra, and is finding ways to bring the orchestra to the community.

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John's Bio:John Porter, native of the North Texas area, is a commercial pilot, flight instructor, orchestral
conductor, double bassist, and aircraft engineer. In addition to teaching flight courses and
ground classes to student, private, instrument, and commercial pilots at Addison Executive
Airport, he serves as the Artistic and Executive Director of the North Texas Symphony
Orchestra (NTXSO).
As the Artistic Director of the NTXSO, Porter has successfully led performances of major
orchestral masterworks such as Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.
4, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Mahler’s Symphonies No. 1 and No. 2. In response to
Porter’s leadership of Shostakovich Symphony No. 7, a music reviewer wrote, “Mr. Porter is
certainly one of the top young conductors to watch at this moment. We will be at as many future
performances as possible to document the work.” His 2026 performance of Mahler’s Symphony
No. 2 achieved regional recognition, as it was covered by the Friends of WRR as well as other
outlets.
As the NTXSO Executive Director, Porter manages the everyday business practices of the
nonprofit. He is the primary grant writer, and he works tirelessly to further its connections with
the local community at large.
From 2021-2024, while earning a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science at LeTourneau
University, in Longview, Texas, Porter served as the first music director of the LeTourneau
University Community Orchestra – an ensemble composed of students, professors, and East
Texas community members. Under his leadership and with the help of many other people, the
LeTourneau Community Orchestra grew from a modest string trio to a full-blown symphonic
ensemble with over 100 members and its own internal 40-person chorus. It became the largest
performing ensemble in the university’s history. Additionally, Porter has served on the
conducting staff at the East Texas Youth Orchestra for the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
His teachers include conductors at the university and professional performance level from around the country, 
and he has worked with soloists including Dr. Kaden Larson of Indiana University on Rachmaninoff's 
Piano Concerto No. 2, Juliette Herlin of Texas Christian University on Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B 
Minor, Anna Larson of the University of Texas at Tyler, and Dr. Alex McDonald of the Juilliard School on 
also on Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and the world premiere of Kyle Cornelison's Piano Concerto 
in G Minor (2025).
Porter is an passionate advocate of arts education, and seeks to connect NTXSO with local arts organizations and youth education programs, frequently programming library concerts and a side-by-side with the Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony. In addition to his work with NTXSO, Porter has guest conducted various orchestras and 
organizations all over Texas, such as the Mansfield
Philharmonic Upcoming projects include Porter in collaboration with soloist Eldred Marshall to perform
and record all five Beethoven piano concertos with soloist Eldred Marshall- all in one live performance.
When asked about the NTXSO, Porter says: “I am most excited about the opportunities we have
to connect the music world and musicians therein to the community of people around us, not
just in the DFW area, but around the world through our influence, for the sole goal of creating
safe spaces, camaraderie, and uplifting each other through all we offer. This can happen in
many ways – through engagement, education, programming, collaboration, and all-inclusive
repertoire. But most importantly, it must be accomplished by a unified people that we work with
and for, first, before anything else.”

In this episode, we hear about Carole's story of how playing her flute started to negatively impact her health. When this happened, she had to figure out next steps, and began leveraging all of the skills she had from being a performer. Listen to how she took advantage of these skills and found a successful career in collegiate arts administration and her own consulting business.

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Carole's BioCarole Overturf is an arts professional and flutist originally from Houston, Texas, specializing in administrative support and business management. She holds both a masters in flute performance from Indiana University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of North Texas with a focus in music business.  As a performer, Carole has played with several ensembles in the Dallas area, including the New Life Symphony Orchestra, Millennial Choirs and Orchestras ,and many more. In addition to her role as the Department Coordinator for the USU Music Department, she is also the founder of Creative Cohesion Consulting, a boutique management and virtual admin support firm for musicians, artists, and small nonprofits.  As of Fall 2026, Carole serves as the Academic Department Coordinator for the Utah State University music department. Prior to this, she served as the Administrative Coordinator of Instrumental Studies for the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton, TX, where she managed day-to-day office procedures for 40+ faculty members and nearly 1,000 students. Outside of her work in higher education and supporting creatives, Carole enjoys arts and crafts, true crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband Patrick and pets Winnie and Oscar. 

Take a listen to Sam's story as he tells us about the time between his master's degree in tuba performance to finishing up his DMA, and all of the adventures in between.

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Sam's Bio:Dr. Sam Tuttle is a dedicated music educator and performer with a dual career spanning the classroom and the stage. As an instructor at Alma College, Sam combines academic rigor with real-world experience, offering students a comprehensive approach to musicianship, performance, life skills, and professional development.As an educator, Sam firmly believes in the equitable access of education to students of all backgrounds and skill levels, and is committed to fostering an environment of growth, openness, honesty, and resilience in his studios. In addition to his role at Alma College, Sam runs a private lesson studio out of Lansing.As a performer, Sam recently performed with the International Symphony Orchestra in Port Huron, Michigan and Sarina, Ontario, Canada, and has performed in world-class venues such as Carnegie Hall. Sam can be heard featured prominently on Michigan State University Wind Symphony’s recording of Dr. David Biedenbender’s “Enigma”. Sam earned his Masters of Music Performance degree from the University for Central Arkansas and his Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Morehead State University. Sam is lovingly supported by his wife, Meagan, son, Theo, and wonderful golden retriever, Daisy.

Alex is a clarinet player who happened upon the Sheng, a traditional Chinese mouth organ, and fell into a world of opportunity he didn't know was there! Listen to his story to learn more about the Sheng, and his approaches to pushing past the Westernized standard of music.

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Alex's Bio:Alexander Strader is a freelance clarinet and sheng player who has appearedas a featured soloist in the Soundwaves music festival at Texas A&M CorpusChristi. In addition to performing abroad in China at Shanghai Conservatory ofMusic and Huaqiao University, he has had the honor of presenting shengsolos to government officials of the Chinese Embassy. He, along with AaronPergram, forms the Silkwind Mundi ensemble, presenting global musicalstories in a contemporary context. Recently, he was appointed as an adjunctfaculty member at the University of North Texas, leading the ChineseEnsemble. In the recording studio, he was part of the Dragon Dream project,an album slated for release in 2026.Holding a Master of Music Performance from the University of North Texas,Alexander brings new ideas to the next generation of musicians through histeaching of clarinet in public and private schools within the Dallas-Fort Worthmetroplex.

Johanna takes us through her story, and how her injury had an effect on her path. She now is a college professor, and works to share how we can all have a healthier approach to music!

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Johanna's Bio:

Johanna Lundy is a performer, teacher, and mindfulness coach. She is the former principal horn of the

Tucson Symphony, a position she held for 15 years. Lundy maintains an active concert schedule as a

soloist and chamber musician, performing across the US, Mexico, and Europe. Her 2018 solo album

Canyon Songs was hailed by Gramophone as “simply breathtaking” and an “impressively virtuoso

performance.” She currently teaches at the University of Arizona School of Music.

Lundy is the founder and director of the Borderlands Ensemble, a horn and strings chamber group

devoted to sharing the stories of the borderlands region. The ensemble regularly collaborates with artists

to create interdisciplinary programs and has been building new repertoire by American, Mexican, and

Indigenous composers. The ensemble has two albums, the space in which to see (2021) and CROSSING

(2026), both available on all streaming platforms.

A dedicated teacher with over 20 years of experience, Lundy’s teaching style emphasizes physical and

mental wellness, orchestral audition preparation, and artist development. Former students have gone on

to positions with professional orchestras and military bands. Lundy’s background includes mindfulness,

body awareness, and meditation, which she has adapted into a course “Mindfulness for Performers” that

helps students overcome barriers to perform their best.

Lundy holds a Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory and a Master of Music from the New

England Conservatory. Her primary teachers include Richard Deane, Roland Pandolfi, John Zirbel, Gus

Sebring, and James Sommerville. More information can be found at: www.johannalundy.com

Take a look into the life of a musician turned architectural drafter! Dahre is a clarinetist with a degree in music education, and additional graduate study in music. After having an inner look, Dahre realized his happiness would be found in a different career, and followed a different interest. Listen to his story where you can learn a bit about the architecture field, and how the music culture had an effect on him.

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Dahre's Bio:

I am currently working as a Civil CAD Technician with Lars Andersen & Associates Inc. while pursing my degree in Architectural and Civil CAD Technology. When I am not working/in school, you can find me running, gaming, and occasionally playing my clarinet.

Take a listen to Jolene as she tells her story of transitioning from her doctorate in bassoon performance, to how she found happiness and balance working for Southwest Airlines.

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Jolene's BioJolene Masone spent many years dedicated to expanding the contemporary and electro-acoustic repertoire for the bassoon. She has played with many symphony orchestras and has given masterclasses in several countries. Jolene received her Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas, her Masters from the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, and her Bachelor degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Jolene was a founding member of th Ex-Mus Ensemble, an improvisatory trio in Dallas, Texas. Jolene has appeared with SoundsModern, based in Ft.Worth, Texas, and the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra based in Frisco, Texas. Jolene is also a member of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and can be heard on the GIA label with the North Texas Wind Symphony on both bassoon and contrabassoon, as well as Album No.1 with the Ex-Mus Ensemble under the Sedimental label.Jolene currently freelances in the DFW area and works for Southwest Airlines.

Kathleen is a music educator turned music therapist. Her career change has brought along a whole new perspective on how we can use music in the world. Listen to her story as well as what her day to day is like as a music therapist!

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Kathleen's BioKathleen is a hospice music therapist serving patients in Northern Colorado. She has a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of North Texas, Orff Schulwerk certification from Southern Methodist University, and a master’s degree in music therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She taught for three years as an elementary music teacher (K-5) in Fort Worth ISD and taught private bassoon lessons for ten years. After a few difficult years, Kathleen decided to go back to school with the specific goal of being a hospice music therapist. She gained her music therapy board certification (MT-BC) in 2020, and has since served hundreds of hospice patients and families in the DFW metroplex and in Northern Colorado. In addition to her clinical work, Kathleen previously served as adjunct music therapy faculty at Texas Woman’s University. She now continues supporting fellow clinicians by hosting a monthly supervision group for hospice music therapists. She has also mentored multiple practicum students and interns, several of whom now work in hospice music therapy themselves.”When she’s not working, Kathleen enjoys crocheting, gardening and watering day (indoors and outdoors), traveling with her husband, attending concerts, spending time with her dogs. Her preferred music includes: Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Green Day, Soundgarden, and AC/DC.

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In this episode, Nora addresses several facets of music culture that had a major effect on her career change. She has found extreme success outside of the arts, and I can't wait for you all to hear about it.

Nora's Bio: Nora Segura-Barpal started her career as a music major. In 2020 she earned her masters in performing arts administration where she found her passion for fundraising. She was an arts fundraiser for a number of years before pivoting into her first job outside of the arts. Her journey has taught her about identity as a musician, equity, career pivots, and more. She’s thrilled to join Redefining the Musician to talk about what success looks like post-grad.

Brigette is an accomplished saxophonist who was faced with medical issues that required multiple surgeries, hindering her ability to consistently play. After overcoming both medical and mental struggles, she has found her way back into the music profession. Her story is one of inspiration, grit, and true strength. You won't want to miss this great conversation!

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Brigette's Bio:

Brigette Jenkins is a professional classical and jazz saxophonist currently located in Dallas, TX. She was raised in several states in the southeast and by age 14 she was performing in the Savannah, GA area at local events, festivals, and restaurants. After high school, she attended Georgia Southern University where she studied saxophone with Dr. Carolyn Bryan. In 2019, Brigette graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Performance and minor in Business Management and Marketing. She taught private saxophone lessons, masterclasses, and at band camps in southeastern Georgia until 2021.

After graduating, she gradually stepped back from teaching and playing for both personal and medical reasons. In 2019, her mom was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer called Gliosarcoma and from 2022-2024 she had to undergo gum recession surgeries which required her to not play for 9 weeks at a time. For the past 3.5 years, she worked as an evidence and legal assistant at a personal injury law firm. By the end of 2025, she decided to leave the legal field and return to the music industry.

She currently plans on attending the University of Texas at Arlington for a Master’s in Music Performance as well as further developing her skills in music production, composition, and arranging.