Dr. Joyce Chen is an award-winning harpsichordist who performs frequently as a soloist and in various ensembles in the northeast US, across the country, and internationally. She is a woman of many talents, interests and accomplishments, and Suzanne was fortunate to speak with her about some of them, including her pandemic-era apprenticeship in making her own harpsichord!

Bassoonist Andrew Brady is at the top of the top tier instrumentalists. Immediately after graduating from the prestigious Colburn School in Los Angeles he won the audition to become Principal Bassoonist in the Louisiana Philharmonic in 2013. Soon after, he earned the Principal Bassoon job in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The young virtuoso has also long been deeply committed to his family and to community service. Andrew Brady spoke with Suzanne about how he started playing bassoon, and what he hopes to accomplish in his future.

Acclaimed soprano Sherezade Panthaki has an international career as a singer, teacher, and expert in the field of baroque and early music. Born and raised in India, Ms. Panthaki began her musical education at an early age, first as an accomplished pianist, until she discovered that singing was a more personal and expressive means for her to connect with audiences. Sherezade Panthaki chatted with Suzanne about her career, and some of the music she finds most compelling.

Guitarist Richard Savino and his group El Mundo released a new recording in Spring 2021 featuring music from the Cathedral of Guatemala City. The Grammy-nominated musicians are exploring a rich variety of music from colonial Latin America during the baroque era. Richard Savino and two of the singers on the recording, Nell Snaidas and Jennifer Ellis Kampani, joined Suzanne for a conversation about how they chose, prepared and performed these lovely selections.

Musician, teacher and administrator Patricia Ann Neely has been Chair of Early Music America's IDEA Task Force, and she continues her ongoing conversation with Suzanne about making the world of early music more welcoming and inclusive for all. In this installment, Ms. Neely talks about the importance of ongoing conversations about how to move forward successfully together.

Patricia Ann Neely is a seasoned professional musician. She is an expert performer on a variety of early bowed string instruments including viola da gamba, an expert in historical performance practices, a music teacher, and an administrator. Ms. Neely is also Chair of Early Music America's IDEA Task Force, and she continues her ongoing conversation with Suzanne about making the world of early music more welcoming and inclusive for all.

Melanie Punter has had a busy career as a double bass player for decades. The versatile and talented musician is in demand in modern symphony orchestras, as well as for her work playing baroque and early music with period instrument groups. She spoke with Suzanne about her experiences coming up through the prestigious High School of Music and Art in New York, her work as a member of the Orchestra of St. Luke's and as Principal Bassist of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and why her position was often a lonely one. She even talked about her experience with a certain VERY big heartthrob musician, impressing Suzanne and the Sunday Baroque team into squeals! Find out who it was, and hear their full conversation.

Sallynee Amawat is a violinist whose passion is for baroque and early music. She was so young when she started playing that she doesn't remember life before the violin and making music! Now she imparts her passion to her own students, who range in age from toddlers to retirees. Sallynee Amawat also a co-founder of the Canadian quartet, Infusion Baroque. She spoke with Suzanne and shared her enthusiasm and perspective on music, teaching, and the importance of cultural relationships and cultural exchanges.

Composer Melika M. Fitzhugh is a multi-instrumentalist whose interests transcend centuries, from modern instruments and genres, all the way back to Renaissance and Baroque instruments and music. She especially loves composing modern music for historical instruments because of the unique "chocolatey" sound they impart. Mel Fitzhugh is energetic and upbeat about her life as a composer and music teacher, and she spoke with Suzanne about the process of composing, and some of the things that inspire and motivate her.

Like many musicians, Dr. Justin Bland has had to adjust his career and his expectations for life during COVID-19 lockdown. 2020 was supposed to be a big year for the American musician, who now lives in Denmark. His engagements as a concerto soloist were all put on hold, and he has used the time to practice and work on projects he might not otherwise have had time to tackle. You can hear some of his signature super-high trumpet playing on his many online video-selfies. Dr. Justin Bland spoke with Suzanne about how and when his love for baroque music began, the historical evolution of the trumpet, and the particular challenges of playing baroque trumpet.