TBJ83: Trombonist Donna Parkes of the Louisville Orchestra on having a "Yes!" attitude, sleeping bags and growing up in Australia

Donna Parkes, Principal Trombone with Louisville Orchestra joins Andrew & Lance to detail her amazing career, from Australia to Kentucky, with stops in Chicago, Alaska and Doha, Qatar.

In this fun and lively conversation, we cover:

• Playing Principal Trombone with Louisville Orchestra
• Playing with the Colorado Music Festival
• Coming from Indiana, I mean Canberra, Australia
• Coming to the U.S. after her undergrad to study with Charlie Vernon at DePaul
• The differences between the Australian and U.S. markets
• Studying with Michael Mulcahy early on in Australia
• Playing freelance gigs in Sydney for a year before moving
• Getting a lesson with Arnold Jacobs and Ed Kleinhammer
• Working with 80-year-olds in Virginia
• The size of Andrew's tongue (don't ask)
• Sleeping in her sleeping bag with her trombone in a hostel on her first night in the U.S.
• Taking pictures of snow
• Tips for flying to Australia
• Playing gigs in Sitka, Alaska twice a year
• How she recently got married in Australia
• A typical week in Louisville, which is anything but typical
• The importance of being flexible and being a good colleague
• Having a "Yes" attitude
• Playing in Doha, Qatar
• An important life lesson, "Don't smell it first."

LINKS:

• Louisville Orchestra bio page
• 8th Position Blog interview
• Seraph Brass bio page
• Brasschicks interview

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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.