Pianist Simone Dinnerstein has many loves – her family, her hometown, her musical collaborators, and Johann Sebastian Bach's music, to name just a few. The proud Brooklyn resident founded her musical ensemble and called it BAROKLYN. They named their 2025 debut album Complicité, a term she first heard from her son, who studied the teachings of the French theatre practitioner, Jacques Lecoq. Suzanne spoke with Simone Dinnerstein about Complicité, how the concept relates to the album and her group, and how she feels about being a conductor now.

New Zealand-born composer and educator Matthew Suttor's passion for music began when he was a small child. Throughout his career he has explored many facets of music making, with a particular interest in computer music and, now, the use of AI in music and as a creative catalyst. That's what led him to "collaborate" with AI to write his opera about Alan Turing, the British mathematician whose work was key to breaking Nazi codes during World War II. Far ahead of his time, Turing was interested in – and cautious about – AI, and Suttor's opera I AM ALAN TURING explores the nuances and prescience of Turing's life and work. Suzanne spoke with Matthew Suttor about his life in music, including his path to incorporating computers and technology into his musical toolbox, and his philosophy of teaching creativity.

New York-based musician Caroline Shaw is a singer, violinist, composer, and producer who performs in solo and collaborative projects. Growing up in Greenville, NC, her introduction to music came through her mother -- a Suzuki music teacher -- and by listening to her local public radio station! The multi-faceted musician is an innovator whose creative outlets include commissions for a variety of performers and ensembles, singing with the vocal band Roomful of Teeth, and composing for TV, film and stage projects such as the Ken Burns/PBS documentary Leonardo Da Vinci and the FX/Hulu show Fleishman is in Trouble. She has earned 5 Grammy awards, and in 2013 – at age 30 -- she became the youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music for her composition, PARTITA FOR 8 VOICES. Suzanne spoke with Caroline Shaw about her life in music.

Eric Milnes is a professional instrumentalist and conductor who is also deeply committed to teaching and to fostering amateur talent. Along with instrumentalist Mélisande Corriveau, Milnes is co-director of Quebec's critically acclaimed period instrument orchestra and vocal ensemble, L'Harmonie des Saisons. They're the ensemble-in-residence for BURLINGTON BAROQUE, founded in 2024 to present concerts of historically informed performance in the Burlington, VT area. Eric Milnes spoke with Suzanne about his many musical projects.

From the time she was very young, Thorgy Thor (née Shane Thor Galligan) was an outgoing bundle of energy. Her parents signed her up for a variety of activities, including sports and music, to keep her engaged and to burn off some of that excess energy. Developing skills playing violin, viola, and cello led Thorgy Thor to major in music at The Hartt School (CT), and at SUNY Purchase (NY). After graduation, she was a playing and teaching music by day, and finetuning her skills as a drag queen, ultimately leading to her co-creating her program Thorgy and the Thorchestra. She now tours with her show, which ranges from classical orchestral music to pop favorites, to perform with orchestras all over. Thorgy Thor spoke with Suzanne about the power and importance of music in her life.

Violinist Kristin Lee was born in Seoul, Korea and came to the United States at age 7. At the time she spoke no English and the once-chatty, outgoing little girl suddenly found herself isolated, lonely, without friends. Immersing herself in music helped her bridge that gap, make friends, and find her calling. Kristen Lee spoke with Suzanne about how her experience as a foreign-born citizen of this country has affected her life, including many of her choices as a musician.

Debra Nagy plays baroque oboe, and the historical performance expert is also founding director of the chamber group Les Délices. The award-winning Cleveland-based group has a reputation for performing less well-known music of the baroque era. Debra Nagy spoke with Suzanne about how she finds the music she programs for Les Délices, and the creative process that brings together research, composition in historical styles, improvisation, and artistic collaboration.

The Grammy-nominated Neave Trio consists of violinist Anna Williams, cellist Mikhail Veselov, and pianist Eri Nakamura. They state their goal simply: To Engage. To Exchange. To Connect. Their 2024 album ROOTED features works centered around folk music by composers Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Bedrich Smetana, Joseph Suk, and Frank Martin. Neave Trio spoke with Suzanne about their collaborative process, and the touching story of how their ensemble got its name.

GRAMMY Award-winning musician Will Liverman has been praised for his versatility and skill as a singer. The American operatic baritone has performed in several roles at the Metropolitan Opera, and Lyric Opera Chicago, where he premiered an opera he co-created -- The Factotum – with his longtime friend, DJ King Rico. Will Livermanspoke with Suzanne about his life in music.

ChamberQUEER highlights LGBTQIA voices in contemporary and historical music and reimagines the classical concert experience as a radically inclusive gathering space and musical community for the 21st century. Founded in 2018 by Jules Biber (cello), Danielle Buonaiuto (soprano), Brian Mummert (baritone), and Andrew Yee (cello), ChamberQUEER operates as a collective of performers, composers, and creators. Suzanne speaks with 3 of the founding members (Jules, Danielle and Brian) about their musical paths led them to a broader community.