Matthew Salvaggio is the Music Director and Conductor of the Euclid Symphony Orchestra, University Heights Symphonic Band, and Orchestra 19, a 19th-century historical performance practice orchestra. His previous academic appointments include professorships at Hiram College and Lakeland Community College, and he is very involved in the commissioning of new works. Matthew and I are collaborating on a performance of the Sejourne Marimba Concerto with the Euclid Symphony Orchestra on October 27.

Andrea Tafelski (Andē) holds a degree from The Cleveland Institute of Music in Percussion and Timpani Performance. Her classical music experience ranges from her time at CIM to experiences at Brevard Music Center, The Florida Orchestra, Opera Tampa, and more. Her current project is a departure from some of her previous experiences, revolving around an entirely different part of the musical world, mixing singer-songwriter aesthetics with percussion instruments at the forefront. AKA, singing and playing the marimba, drums, malletstation.. you name it.

Dr. Eric Willie is a percussion soloist, orchestra musician, chamber player, and the Director of Percussion Studies at University of North Carolina Greensboro. His recent solo work has taken him to Russia, Brazil, Colombia, and across the US. He’s been involved in the Percussive Arts Society in a number of ways, with many performances and committee positions under his belt. Some of his chamber projects include the Nief Norf Project and Legal Wood Project, the latter of which is a marimba and violin duo with his wife, Rebecca, which is why Eric was in town—for a performance at Brothers Drake Meadery in Columbus.

Dr. Jeffrey D. Gershman is the Director of Wind Ensembles at the Capital University Conservatory of Music. He has held previous positions at both the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and Texas A&M University-Commerce, in addition to past experience as a public school teacher. He is a frequent guest conductor for festivals and honor bands throughout the United States, and has worked with the Dallas Winds and Lone Star Wind Orchestra in past seasons.

Josh Jones is the Principal Percussionist of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, a social media personality and influencer, and the author of Spatial Studies for Hitting Things. He has previously held fellowships with the Detroit and Pittsburgh Symphonies, been featured on programs such as From the Top and The TODAY Show, and recently performed Gareth Farr’s Hikoi Concerto with the Calgary Philharmonic.

On the second solo episode of the podcast, Cameron talks about the emotional highs and lows of life as a performer, the myth that graduation suddenly makes you a professional, self-respect and money as a freelancer, and more. He answers more submitted Q/A questions (listing below), with topics ranging from outside influences, practice efficiency/routines, the search for grad schools, self-promotion, taxes, and the differences in learning electroacoustic vs. acoustic pieces.

Dr. Michael Yonchak currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at Otterbein University, where is the Director of Bands and Percussion Studies. He is an active freelancer in Central Ohio, performing in a variety of styles such as bluegrass, jazz, flamenco, and more. Dr. Yonchak’s dissertation explored the wind ensemble compositions of Frank Zappa, which has led to the publication of journal articles and numerous presentations on the composer. Prior to his college teaching appointment, he taught in the public schools of northeast Ohio for five years.

Dr. Ksenija Komljenović (Belgrade, Serbia) is an award-winning percussionist, composer, professor, and cofounder of the Balkan Percussion Duo. She is the newly minted Assistant Professor of Percussion at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, and is the first woman from Serbia to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in percussion.

On the first solo episode of the podcast, Cameron talks about taking time off, upcoming podcast guests, and his recent/upcoming work. He answers a slew of submitted Q/A questions, with topics ranging from bookings, non-music influences, the impact of social media, and his process for commissioning composers. 

Adam Roberts is a well-traveled, award-winning composer whose music has been performed by some of the very best groups, including the Arditti Quartet, JACK Quartet, le Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, and so many more. The recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and Fromm Foundation Commission, Roberts currently serves as Assistant Professor of Composition at Kent State University, where he also co-directs the New Music Ensemble. He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Harvard University.