Steph share their transformative journey as a non-binary gender queer tubist, university professor, and champion of underrepresented composers. They will also relay their insight on the college teaching application process, how to work with others in the music profession, and why they continue to live in rural Tennessee as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

*LINKS*
Follow Steph on Facebook  and Instagram
Steph’s bio
Mirari Brass Quintet website  and YouTube channel
Lutheran Summer Music Academy website
Listen to Steph’s album “Ursa” on Spotify

Selected Videos:
Music Through a Queer Lens - live recital from March 2021
Haitian Fight Song by Charles Mingus - Mirari Brass Quintet
Dances and Interludes by Florence Anna Maunders for tuba and electric guitar
Tico Tico no fuba by Zequinha de Abreu for flute and tuba
URSA: Music for Tuba by Women Composers (Lecture)

Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_  and on Linktree at @risingstarspodcast
More about the host at caroljantsch.com
More about the co-host at theflythegroup.com
More about the producer and audio engineer at michnari robinson

We hope our patrons will donate at least $1 each week to Buy Me a Coffee to support the many talents and services of our wonderful producer and audio engineer, Michnari Robinson. He has worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to help make this podcast a success.  You are also welcome to support him through donations on PayPal ([email protected]) and on Cash App ($MichnariRobinson).

Weston began his trailblazing career when he was  selected to become a member of New York's Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at the age of 22. He has continued to evolve and grow into a "force of nature" as a devoted administrator and music educator as well as enrich the lives of others through his speaking engagements and philanthropic work.

*LINKS*
Weston’s website
Follow Weston on Facebook and Instagram
Preparatory Division at the Juilliard School 
Sphinx Medals of Excellence

Selected Videos:
Mr. Trombonology with the United States Navy Band
Larsson Concertino with the Bard College Conservatory Orchestra
Brahms Four Serious Songs (Mvmt I)
Weston’s 2020 Curtis Commencement speech

Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_  and on Linktree at @risingstarspodcast
More about the host at caroljantsch.com
More about the co-host at theflythegroup.com
More about the producer and audio engineer at michnari robinson

We hope our patrons will donate at least $1 each week to Buy Me a Coffee to support the many talents and services of our wonderful producer and audio engineer, Michnari Robinson. He has worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to help make this podcast a success.  You are also welcome to support him through donations on PayPal ([email protected]) and on Cash App ($MichnariRobinson).

Known as a performer with some of the biggest stars in pop, jazz, and R&B, Kiku has showcased her talents and gifts through acting, dancing, composing, playing, etc.  This modern-day "Renaissance Woman" is not only a beautiful light and voice for the trumpet community, she also shares her positive energy and insight as a cancer survivor to others in the world.

*LINKS*
Kiku's bio
Kiku’s website
Follow Kiku on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
#Cancerland - Kiku serves on the Board of Directors
LympheDivas - compression fashion for those living with lymphedema

Selected Videos:
Kiku’s 2018 interview on the Brad Show Live
I Will Survive/Survivor mashup with Gloria Gaynor
Kiku’s interview on the Trumpet Gurus Podcast
Kiku's interview on Tips for Trumpet Players 50 and Beyond

Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_  and on Linktree at @risingstarspodcast
More about the host at caroljantsch.com
More about the co-host at theflythegroup.com
More about the producer and audio engineer at michnari robinson

We hope our patrons will donate at least $1 each week to Buy Me a Coffee to support the many talents and services of our wonderful producer and audio engineer, Michnari Robinson. He has worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to help make this podcast a success.  You are also welcome to support him through donations on PayPal ([email protected]) and on Cash App ($MichnariRobinson).

Welcome to the second season with a new group of outstanding brass professionals, including Weston Sprott, Kiku Collins, Dr. Steph Frye-Clark, Ken Thompkins, Jen Montone, Donna Yoo, Micky Wrobleski, and more.  Find us on your favorite podcast platform and hit that "Subscribe" button;  interviews start dropping on Thursday, June 24th!!

Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_
More about the host at caroljantsch.com
More about the co-host at theflythegroup.com

More about the producer at michnari robinson
Donations:  PayPal [email protected]
                           Cash App $MichnariRobinson

          

For the final episode of our first season, we're pleased to present such a talented and thoughtful young musician. Ben tells us how he balances (or doesn't balance!) his busy schedule studying both euphonium and composition, and discusses his most recent consortium project, a piece for low brass duet inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

*LINKS*
Ben's website and Soundcloud page
Follow Ben on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
Black Lives Matter Consortium

Selected Videos:
“Stutter Step” for solo euphonium
“Tango Divertido” for euphonium quartet
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Euphonium Cover


Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_
More about the host at caroljantsch.com

As a performer, Danielle dazzles with not just her horn playing but also her stunning vocals, creative arrangements, and cheeky showmanship as a founding member of Genghis Barbie. When she’s not busy with her main gig at the Seattle Symphony, she enjoys volunteering and working with advocacy groups around race and gender issues.

*LINKS*
Follow Danielle on Instagram and Facebook
Genghis Barbie's website, Instagram, and Facebook
Follow the Seattle Symphony Horns on Instagram and Facebook
Follow European Dissent Seattle (anti-racist organizing collective) on Instagram and Facebook
The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond (another anti-racist organizing collective)

Selected Videos:
Genghis Barbie - 2 Legit
Genghis Barbie - Sweet Dreams
Seattle Symphony Horns - Jurassic Park
Seattle Symphony Horns - Ugly Christmas Sweater Mashup


Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_
More about the host at caroljantsch.com

After having major plans derailed by the pandemic, Andre is spending some transition time in his home state of North Carolina, teaching virtual tuba lessons and jogging up a storm before starting his job as a middle school band director this fall. His enthusiasm is palpable as he describes his love for all things music-related, including teaching, conducting, composing, and arranging.

*LINKS*
Andre's Soundcloud page
Follow Andre on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Selected Videos:
God Of Our Fathers (Band Arrangement)
Joubert - Petite Suite, Mvmt. 4
In the Bottoms, V. Juba Dance (COVID-19 Black All-Star Tuba Euphonium Ensemble)


Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_
More about the host at caroljantsch.com

Even though she keeps a busy schedule teaching, performing, and as a full-time student at the Colburn School, Melissa makes time for her passion projects working toward more inclusivity in the brass world. As a co-founder of both Brass Out Loud and the Female/Trans/Non-Binary Brass Group on Facebook, Melissa is actively changing the culture of the brass world, making it a more welcoming and visibly diverse community.

*LINKS*
Melissa's website
Brass Out Loud website
Follow Melissa on Instagram and Facebook, and Brass Out Loud on Instagram and Facebook

Selected Videos:
Wurm Etude no. 26
Bohme Trumpet Concerto, mvmt 1
Monteverdi Madrigal (Elm Street Brass)
UT Trumpet Ensemble at NTC


Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_
More about the host at caroljantsch.com

Melissa is the type of person who makes things happen--not content to sit idle during a pandemic, she started interviewing brass players and launched the Bold As Brass podcast. In addition to describing all the facets of her freelance career, she opens up about her struggle with OCD and sheds light on some misconceptions of the disease.

*LINKS*
Melissa's website
Bold As Brass website and Patreon
Follow Melissa on Facebook, and follow Bold As Brass on Instagram and Facebook

Selected Videos:
We’ll Meet Again (British Trombone Society)
Dare To Dream (Garsington Opera)
A Tribute to Ilayaraja


Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_
More about the host at caroljantsch.com

All of our guests on RSP are good people, but this title is a nod to Lessie’s sage advice on how to be a successful freelance musician: Be a good person! Lessie discusses all the various activities that keep her busy, from composing, teaching, and copyist work to performing with top tier acts like Beyoncé, The Carters, Lizzo, Kathy Sledge, and the BET Black Girls Rock All Star Band.

*LINKS*
Lessie's website
Follow Lessie on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
Her article on Brass Chicks

Selected Videos:
Art Is Live feature
Beyoncé: "All Night Long"
Festival of New Trumpet Music: “Emerging Voices” Showcase
The Broadway Sinfonietta: "You're Gonna Hear from Me"
Lizzo: Cuz I Love You/Truth Hurts, Live from the 62nd Grammys

Follow us on Instagram at @Rising_Stars_Podcast_
More about the host at caroljantsch.com