The Cello Sherpa Podcast

The Cello Sherpa Podcast

By Joel Dallow

Do you dream of someday getting to perform at Carnegie Hall, or wonder what it takes to be a professional musician? The Cello Sherpa Podcast is for anyone who enjoys the tales and scales in the lif

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Best of The Cello Sherpa Podcast

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

  1. Number 1: "Defining Your Own Voice" - An Interview with Cellist and Composer, Sebastian Plano

    He had the conservatory training, the orchestral chops, and the “proper” classical path laid out ahead of him, but Sebastian Plano couldn’t ignore the stronger call: make his own music. We sit down with the Grammy-nominated cellist and composer to trace the real turning points, from leaving Lisbon on a one-way ticket to Boston, to realizing that interpretation alone was not enough, to building a creative life where the cello becomes both voice and laboratory. We dig into the craft behind his signature approach: studying scores, sneaking into composition spaces, then recording his early work by layering parts until he could “make the orchestra” himself. Sebastian also tells the unvarnished post-school story, including what happens when you order 1,000 CDs and suddenly need an audience. His answer was simple and brave: play. He busks in the San Francisco subway, takes gigs anywhere, and learns how direct connection, repetition, and community can become both income and momentum for an independent artist. Then we shift to Solo, his newest solo cello album with no electronics, no multitracking, and nowhere to hide. He explains why stepping out of his safe zone felt necessary, how travel and transformation shaped the music, and why he wants other players to take these pieces and make them their own. If you care about contemporary cello, modern composition, independent music production, or choosing a nontraditional musician career, this conversation offers practical insight and a lot of honesty. Subscribe for more interviews like this, share the episode with a musician who needs a nudge, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. For more information on Sebastian: https://www.sebastianplano.com/ You can also find Sebastian on Facebook and Instagram: @sebastianplano YouTube: @sebastianplanoofficial If you are looking for in person/virtual cello lessons, or orchestral repertoire audition coachings, check out www.theCelloSherpa.com Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads & YouTube: @theCelloSherpa For more information on our sponsor: www.CLEAResources.com

    33min
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  2. Number 2: "Etiquette Essentials: The Dos and Don'ts for Orchestral Musicians" - An Interview with Cellist Jennifer Humphreys, St Louis Symphony Orchestra

    Your audition might win you the seat, but your day-to-day behavior decides whether people actually want to sit next to you for the next 20 years. The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, is joined by cellist Jennifer Humphreys, currently with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, to talk about the orchestra etiquette music school rarely teaches: the quiet, practical choices that signal professionalism the moment you walk on stage. From the “fake five” being in your seat early to simple introductions that build instant trust, we dig into what colleagues notice right away. We also get specific about section life. Jennifer explains what it really means to follow bowings (not just directions, but bow placement and length), what to do when you disagree with a principal, and why some “small” habits like phones on stage, gum, or practicing excerpts during service can erode focus and respect. We talk marking parts without creating crutches, how to stay flexible when seating changes, and how tidy pencil work can literally make rehearsal smoother for everyone sharing the stand. Then we zoom out to what makes a section player genuinely valuable: knowing the full piece, listening across the orchestra, understanding when to play out or pull back, and using the right communication chain so questions get answered without derailing rehearsal. Underneath it all is the real challenge of professional ensemble playing: setting ego aside to create a unified sound that no solo player can make alone. If you’re preparing for your first orchestra job or want to level up as a section string player, subscribe, share this with a stand partner, and leave a review so more musicians can find it. What’s one unwritten orchestra rule you wish someone had told you earlier? For more information on Jennifer: https://slso.org/person/jennifer-humphreys/ You can also find Jennifer on Facebook and Instagram: @31jumphreys If you are looking for in person/virtual cello lessons, or orchestral repertoire audition coachings, check out www.theCelloSherpa.com Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads & YouTube: @theCelloSherpa For more information on our sponsor: www.CLEAResources.com

    39min
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  3. Number 3: "Last BOW" - An Interview with Carter Brey, Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic

    Thirty years in the principal chair can look effortless from the audience, but it rarely feels that way from the stage. We’re joined by cellist Carter Brey as he steps back and takes stock of a remarkable run leading the New York Philharmonic cello section and why he’s choosing to retire at the end of the season while his playing still feels strong. We get into what most people never see: how long it can take to truly feel “at home” in a top orchestra job, how you learn to handle pressure and politics without losing your musical center, and how the weekly reset of new programs forces you to stay sharp. Carter also shares how he keeps perspective when repertoire repeats, and why the best nights can be the quietest ones when the orchestra’s precision and trust are on full display. Carter walks us through the very different worlds of Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, Alan Gilbert, Jaap van Zweden, and Gustavo Dudamel, and what adapting to each music director teaches you about musicianship, preparation, and leadership. We also talk about defining experiences, including the unforgettable 2008 Pyongyang concert, what he’ll miss most about his “second family,” his retirement plans for travel and sailing, and even the decision to sell his 1754 Guadagnini cello while viewing instruments and positions as things we steward for the next person. If you care about orchestra life, principal string leadership, professional musician longevity, and the psychology of performing at a high level, this conversation is for you. Subscribe for more, share this with a musician friend, and leave a review so more players can find the show. For more information on Carter: https://www.nyphil.org/about-us/artists/carter-brey/ You can also find Carter on Facebook If you are looking for in person/virtual cello lessons, or orchestral repertoire audition coachings, check out www.theCelloSherpa.com Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads & YouTube: @theCelloSherpa For more information on our sponsor: www.CLEAResources.com

    36min
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  4. Number 4: "Trio Con Brio" - An Interview with Julie Albers, Principal Cellist of The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

    The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Cellist Julie Albers. She has been the principal cellist of The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra since 2014. They talk about her experience growing up in a family where all of her siblings played instruments, how she ended up in an orchestra, forming the Albers Trio with her sisters, her teaching philosophy, and much more. For more information on Julie: https://content.thespco.org/people/julie-albers/ You can also find Julie on Facebook: @jooliealbers Check out her recording of the Crosmer-Popper Duets recorded with Jeremy Crosmer: https://music.apple.com/us/album/crosmer-popper-duets/1048724091 If you are looking for in person/virtual cello lessons, or orchestral repertoire audition coachings, check out www.theCelloSherpa.com Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Bluesky @theCelloSherpa For more information on our sponsor: www.CLEAResources.com

    32min
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  5. Number 5: Steven Isserlis Returns to Celebrate Our 100th Episode!

    The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Internationally Renowned Cellist Steven Isserlis. After appearing as the Inaugural guest of this podcast in March 2021, Steven returns to celebrate the 100th episode of The Cello Sherpa Podcast and answer questions submitted by audience members. For more information on Steven: http://stevenisserlis.com/ If you are looking for in person/virtual cello lessons, or orchestral repertoire audition coachings, check out http://www.theCelloSherpa.com Follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube @theCelloSherpa For more information on our sponsor: www.CLEAResources.com

    49min
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The Cello Sherpa Podcast episodes:

FAQs about The Cello Sherpa Podcast:

How many episodes does The Cello Sherpa Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 149 episodes available.

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