Talking Shop | Artist Talks

Erin Freeman is a versatile and accomplished conductor currently serving as the Artistic Director of the City Choir of Washington and Wintergreen Music, Director of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, and Principal Conductor of the Richmond Ballet. She is recognized for her dynamic leadership in the choral and orchestral music scene. Her guest conducting engagements span a variety of esteemed orchestras and venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Sala São Paulo, and the Musikverein in Vienna.

In this episode we cover:

* “Conducting is communication through gesture.”

* The impact of the ballet world on Erin’s vision of artistic leadership

* “Even the orchestra needs to breathe...”

* The way a dancer moves is in a breath

* Handling “wild cards” is part of the business

________

Learn more about Erin!

🌐 Website: erinrfreeman.com

📸 Instagram: @erinfreeman1

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinFreemanConductor

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater from The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

Lauded by Limelight Magazine for his “Life-affirming music making,” and the Tasmanian Mercury for exhibiting “Spectacular brilliance, charisma and sensitivity,” Lloyd Van’t Hoff is an Australian clarinetist, director, educator, recording artist and founding member of Arcadia Winds. The Age proclaims him “a technical and expressive master of his instrument.” He is a founding member of the award-winning Australian wind quintet, Arcadia Winds. In 2015, the ensemble was announced as Musica Viva Australia’s inaugural FutureMakers. He recently released an album with pianist Lisa Moore – together they form the Crux Duo – titled, “My Place.”

In this episode we cover:

* How to manage the confidence-building nature of applause and awards

* The “nerdy” side of being a musician

* Are your feelings about how you played during a performance a true barometer?

* “Pinch yourself” moments...the connection between artist and audience

* The magnitude of clarinet styles and history

Learn more about Lloyd!

🌐 lloydvanthoff.ccm

📸 Instagram: @lloydvanthoff

👍 Facebook: Lloyd Van’t Hoff

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

Denis Petrunin is acting principal timpanist with the Charlotte Symphony. Denis made his performance debut at the age of 10 at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. He is frequently invited to teach masterclasses around the world and has been serving on various prestigious jury panels. He served as a faculty member for the Curtis Institute of Music’s Mentor Network online learning program.

Denis is the other half of the ViMaDeAn Duo. His wife, Anastasia Petrunina, was an earlier guest on our series. Their concert duo performs all across the US, Europe, and Asia, bringing greater awareness of repertoire for violin and percussion, commissioning new works, and offering education for all ages.

In this episode we cover:

* The special aspects of timpani and cymbals

* Differences and similarities of timpani and percussion in an orchestra

* The pivotal role of timpani and percussion in an orchestra

* Intonation is a thing...who knew?

* The critical elements of collaboration

_______

Learn more about Denis!

Augusta University

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denis.petrunin

Instagram: @vimadean_duo

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

David Lai is a phenomenal blind pianist and teacher, renowned not only for his technical mastery and lyrical musicality, but also for his resilience and innovative learning process. He is a doctoral candidate at Indiana University and continues to perform nationally, serving as an inspiration to musicians and music lovers alike.

He has won numerous awards and competitions, has been dubbed a “miracle musician-pianist,” and was featured as Performance Today’s Young Artist in Residence, as well as a guest on Fred Child’s nationally broadcast radio show. His depth of musical knowledge spans both classical works and Broadway musicals. His presence onstage is palpable, and audiences are spellbound by his performances.

In this episode we cover:

* David’s “playground of sound”

* A practical roadmap for mastering memorization so that it never leaves you

* What made David fall in love with teaching

* Understanding what audiences need from you

_________

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@davidlai1996

My Facebook friends page: https://www.facebook.com/david.davidlai/

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

Highly acclaimed cellist Kenneth Law is a performer, a teacher, and an author. He is a member of the Main Street Chamber Players, the Davenport Chamber Players, the Cirrus Ensemble, and the Colour of Music Festival. He has performed all over the world, collaborating with ensembles and orchestras in addition to solo performances.

He has received numerous awards, including the NAACP Image Award as a member of the Ritz Chamber Players, and was also a chamber music fellow at the Juilliard School. His students have secured acceptances at prestigious music schools including Peabody and Oberlin Conservatories, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Indiana University, among others.

In this episode we cover:

* The multifaceted ways music enables communication...Kenneth’s personal take on expression through his art and what that expression offers him as an artist

* Preparation for different types of performance - solo, orchestral, chamber, recording

* Adapting to different chamber groups’ ethos

* A beautifully unique aspect of Kenneth’s website

* The importance of being a supportive teacher...three ways Kenneth approaches his teaching

______

Website: kennethlawcello.comIG: @kenlawcello

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

Jordan Kuspa’s music has been praised in the New York Times as “animated and melodically opulent” and “consistently alive and inspired.” His works juxtapose a bristling rhythmic drive with expansive textures and sinuously interwoven counterpoint.

Kuspa is the Founding Director of the Del Mar International Composers Symposium, which presents a week-long new music festival to encourage the sharing of new musical ideas between composers, performers, and the community in Del Mar. His prestigious accomplishments are prolific, all of which can be found on his website and YouTube channel.

This episode is chock full of impactful aspects of great composing.

In this episode we cover:

* The advantages of having people play your music early on

* The special relationship between a composer and the performers who play their music

* The challenge of formal structure and the aspect that leads to mastery

* “Form is the flow of ideas through time”

* The third leg - performer to the audience

* How the audience makes sense of the piece

______

Learn more about Jordan!

Website: Jordankuspa.net

IG: @jordankuspa

YouTube: Jordan Kuspa

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

Martha Eason is a lyric coloratura soprano known for her strong stage presence and her ability to convey deep emotion through her singing. After representing the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University in a performance at the Kennedy Center, she was awarded the Georgina Joshi International Fellowship, which helped launch her now-thriving career in Germany. She has performed a wide range of roles in prestigious opera houses and is currently an ensemble member at the Badisches Staatstheater in Karlsruhe. This season, she made her debut in Daegu, South Korea, as Violetta in La Traviata.

In this episode we cover:

* Martha’s inspiration from Beverly Sills at age 13

* The challenge of funding an education, and whether formal education is necessary for an opera career, or if other paths can also work

* Six topics from Martha’s 2025 year-end Substack article that encapsulate what artists are facing today

* Staying true to yourself as an artist

* Where is the line between collaboration and people-pleasing, or serving other people’s expectations?

* The role of acting in opera singing

Learn more about Martha!

* Website: marthaeason.com

* Instagram: @marthaeasonsoprano

* Substack: Rehearsal Note

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

Lauded by the Washington Post as a “marvelous violinist,” Domenic Salerni is also a composer, and arranger as well as a member of the two-time Grammy Award-winning Attacca Quartet. Attacca has been featured in the work of Billie Eilish, Alfonso Cuarón, Caroline Shaw, Ken Burns, and also playing the music of Finneas in Apple TV +’s ‘Disclaimer.’ Dom’s work with Attacca extends to arranging ‘60s Civil Rights Era protest songs for the Palava Strings album “a change is gonna come,” his “Seven Meditations,’ a work commissioned by the Belvedere Series chamber music series in Richmond, VA and “Trilobites: A Musical Excavation,” a commission made possible by the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival and much more.

In this episode we cover:

* The amazing early life experiences, his environment, timing, and putting on concerts influenced Domenic’s artistic trajectory

* The difference in arranging and transcribing

* “What is improvisation but composition in real time?”

* A definition of “classical music” and breaking down boundaries

* What it’s like to win a Grammy Award

* Navigating the changing definitions of genres and choices audiences are making

___________

Website: www.domenicsalerni.com

IG: @domenic_salerni

Attacca IG: @attaccaquartet

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

Katya Kramer-Lapin is a dynamic and versatile musician, captivating audiences as a pianist, recording artist, and educator. Since her debut solo album, "Luminesence," Katya has established a strong presence in the classical music world. Notably, her recent interpretation of Tchaikovsky's "Children's Album" has garnered critical acclaim. Katya is the top selling pianist on Oclassica Records. Her concert appearances include prestigious venues worldwide - UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., and major concert halls in Taiwan, Europe, and the United States. She teaches in person as well as in remote educational projects. Her collaborative spirit extends to chamber music performances with renowned artists and her contributions to the National Public Radio.

In this episode we cover:

* Finding inspiration in the world around her

* “Music is a language of emotions.”

* The art of creating transcriptions

* Transcription as a genre that makes music more accessible

* How sight reading and research help her learn music so quickly

_________

Oclassica artist’s page: https://oclassica.com/artists/katya-kramer-lapin

IG: @pianowithin

FB: Katya Kramer

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.

Joshua Peugh is an internationally acclaimed choreographer. He is the founder and former Artistic Director of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance and co-founder of Fair Assembly (an ensemble theatre company). He has created work for festivals in Asia, Europe, and North America, winning awards for his choreography in South Korea, Japan, Canada, and the USA. He was the recipient of the Grand Prize at the McCallum Theatre’s 18th Annual Choreography Festival, and Dance Magazine chose him as one of their “25 to Watch.”

Joshua served as choreographer for legendary soprano Kathleen Battle’s concert Underground Railroad - A Spiritual Journey and was the 2018 recipient of the Natalie Skelton Award for Artistic Excellence. He has a long list of commissions including over 60 works for Amy Siewert’s Imagery, BalletX, Ballet Memphis, St. Louis Dance Theatre, BODYTRAFFIC, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, Boston Dance Theatre, and at least 18 others including our own Richmond Ballet.

In this episode we cover:

* Why dance is a way of being

* Pushing back against media archetypes through dance

* Re-imagining who you are...how authentic identity can emerge from

living in another culture

* Movement is the most innate form of communication/dance is a human ritual

* Making dance more accessible by re-imagining familiar narratives

__________

Website: www.joshualpeugh.com

IG: @joshualpeugh

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𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰:

■ Subscribe to the podcast wherever you're listening so new episodes land right in your feed.

■ Get exclusive Talking Shop Insider Episodes! Sign up for my free Substack to access subscriber-only episodes and get notified the moment a new one drops: http://lisaruthmusic.substack.com/subscribe

■ Loved this episode? A quick rating & review on Apple Podcasts helps so much more than you know — it only takes a minute!

■ Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments: instagram.com/lisaruthmusic

■ Know someone who'd love this conversation? Share it with them!

🎶 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜?!

It’s from my debut album, Whitewater - The Whitewater Suite, III. Essence

Take a listen on Spotify or Apple Music

🫶 Talking Shop is branded, edited, and produced by Tiffany Valvo.