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In this episode, we talk with collaborative pianist (and freelancer!), Dr. Elizabeth G. Hill who’s known for her work as a solo performer, chamber musician, educator, and lecturer. Liz dedicates much of her career to bridging cultures together through music, and is a recognized leader in contemporary music advocacy. In this conversation, Liz tells us about her formative years in Alaska, wildlife encounters, and how this time in her life shaped the kind of music she chooses to perform. As a pianist who considers herself a freelancer, Liz weighs the same questions we all do: what do I want to say with the music I program and the work I accept?

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Mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Elizabeth G. Hill’s website:

http://elizabethghill.com/

Meraki duo:

http://elizabethghill.com/meraki/

Songs of Hope: Unveiling Darkness

https://www.songs-of-hope.org/

Balance Campaign:

https://balancecampaign.com/

Big Magic, By Elizabeth Gilbert

https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/

Our sponsors:

Aria Lights

www.arialights.com

Arc Rest

www.thearcrest.com

Potter Violins

www.potterviolins.com

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We’re back! In this episode we talk with the recently unmasked Monochrome Viola, Lauren Spaulding! Lauren is an avid chamber musician, performing with her viola duo Talla Rouge and the acclaimed Thalea Quartet which is currently in residence at the University of Maryland. She is very forthcoming about her challenges in early music education and how it took a while to find the path that really spoke to her unique qualities as a performer. We talk about her notorious alter-ego, Monochrome Viola, and how social media became a tool not only to connect, but to keep herself honest with her practice routine. She’s always chasing the joy and the ‘good bop’ and if you’re not already a fan, we’re pretty sure you’ll fall in love with our new bff Lauren!

NEW THIS SEASON: 

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www.thearcrest.com

We have a Patreon! Support us and get perks and bonus content!

www.patreon.com/violacentric

Mentioned in this episode:

Talla Rouge

www.tallarouge.com

Thalea String Quartet

www.thaleastringquartet.com

Our sponsors:

Aria Lights

www.arialights.com

Arc Rest

www.thearcrest.com

Potter Violins

www.potterviolins.com

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Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!

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In the first ever ViolaCentric LIVE podcast event, we got to go back to college and play musical trivia games! This episode was recorded live at The Loft in Columbus, SC, just a stone's throw from Columbus State University. It was part of the late night cafe events for the American Viola Society Festival/International Viola Congress which was held in June of 2022, and features a live studio audience, fabulous “game-show” contestants and even a guest host. Enjoy playing along with us in this fun, special event…and be sure to yell your answers out LOUD!

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Mentioned in this episode:

American Viola Society

https://americanviolasociety.org/

International Viola Society

https://www.internationalviolasociety.org/

Columbus State University

https://www.columbusstate.edu/

Ashley Killam @ Boulanger Initiative

https://www.boulangerinitiative.org/

Join our email list!

https://www.violacentric.com/

Get your VC Merch here!

https://www.violacentric.com/merch

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In this, the last episode of Season 2, we talk about adjusting to the return of regular freelance work and finding a new ‘normal’ of work/life balance. The inner workings of the music community are probably a microcosm of what the world has been experiencing in this phase of the pandemic and the adjustment is REAL. We reflect and wrap up the roller coaster that was Season 2 with some of our favorite moments and guest updates, some listener questions and exciting things in store for…Season 3! 

Mentioned in this episode:

S2:Episodes 7-8, The Mirror Lies with Dr Molly Gebrian

https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/1530170/9758465-the-mirror-lies-with-molly-gebrian.mp3?download=true

https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/1530170/9963074-the-mirror-lies-part-2-with-molly-gebrian.mp3?download=true

S2:Episode 4, Composing Beauty with Brian Balmages

https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/1530170/9470613-composing-beauty-with-brian-balmages.mp3?download=true

S2:Episode 11. The Other Half with Laura Colgate

https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/1530170/10116947-the-other-half-with-laura-colgate.mp3?download=true

S2:Episode 10, The Grocery Store Test with Luke Frazier

https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/1530170/10022413-the-grocery-store-test-with-luke-frazier.mp3?download=true

S2:Episode 13, The Magic Merit Machine with Tanner Guss

https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/1530170/10299320-the-magic-merit-machine-with-tanner-guss.mp3?download=true

Brian Balmages, Kiev 2022

https://www.totalsheetmusic.com/digital-sheet-music/kyiv-2022-681959/

American Pops PBS Special

https://playbill.com/article/andre-de-shields-cynthia-nixon-peppermint-more-will-be-part-of-pbs-true-colors-lgbtq-our-stories-our-songs

American Viola Society Festival/International Viola Congress

https://www.americanviolasociety.org/News-And-Events/Festival-Registration/

Join our email list!

https://www.violacentric.com/

Get your VC Merch here!

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Support the show

Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!

Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!

Liz and Steph have a delightful conversation with violist CAROL RODLAND! Carol enjoys a distinguished international career as a concert and recording artist whose playing has been described as “larger than life, sweetly in tune and infinitely variegated”. Ms Rodland is also currently professor of viola and chamber music at the Julliard School, where she herself studied with the godmother of the viola, the incomparable Karen Tuttle. We talk about her full-circle tour of Europe and the US, studying and teaching with viola giants Karen Tuttle and Kim Kashkashian. What’s it like to be besties with Kim K? How does her recent injury help her teaching? How does community service fit into her busy schedule? We dig into these subjects and way more with Carol, who’s such a gracious guru - committed to giving each student exactly what they need to reach their potential. 

Mentioned in this episode:

The Karen Tuttle Legacy, by Jeffrey Irvine, Kim Kashkashian, Michelle LaCourse, Lynne Ramsey, Karen Ritscher, Carol Rodland
https://www.thestrad.com/reviews/book-review-the-karen-tuttle-legacy-a-resource-and-guide-for-viola-students-teachers-and-performers/10734.article

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Liz and Steph welcome celebrated violinist Melissa White to the pod! As an early first-prize laureate of the Sphinx Competition, Melissa burst onto the concert scene in the early 2000’s, and has been a trend-setter and trail-blazer ever since. A founding member of the Harlem Quartet, she reflects on how their joint experience led them (uncomfortably at times!) into exploring jazz and improv. Melissa talks about how practicing yoga became a passion and how she shares it with students and colleagues through the Intermission Retreats and Sessions. Cozy-up for a warm, authentic and honest conversation with this fantastic violinist and human!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sphinx Organization

https://www.sphinxmusic.org/

Harlem String Quartet

http://harlemquartet.com/

Heifitz Institute

https://heifetzinstitute.org/

Chicago Sinfonietta

https://chicagosinfonietta.org/

Intermission Sessions/Retreats

https://www.intermissionsessions.com/

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Support the show

Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!

Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!

Liz and Steph welcome Tanner Guss of The Happy Musicians Podcast! Freelance drummer Tanner Guss is making his way in the New Orleans music scene, navigating pandemic life and learning what he can about happiness from his musical guests - and giving us the nuggets he’s gleaned so far. We talk about getting back to work, finding your true musical purpose and building your dream gig - outside of what the “Magic Merit Machine” gives you. Tanner is a truly authentic and genuine soul, with so much to say about how we can all find ways to "enjoy the gig”.

Mentioned in this episode:

Tanner’s podcast and website!!

https://thehappymusicians.com/

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Support the show

Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!

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Liz and Steph welcome Venezuela-born, Philadelphia-area violist, Adriana Linares! Starting on violin in her native Venezuela, Adriana had always experienced music as a community activity. Through her work in chamber music as the violist of the award-winning Dali quartet, and the founding of ArCoNet, a Pennsylvania-based Arts and Community non-profit, Adriana is using music as a tool of connection in her community. In this episode she talks about her formative music experience, the culture-shock of adjusting to the nuances of the English language, why chamber musicians are the happiest, and how kids need music now more than ever!

Mentioned in this episode:

Dali Quartet:

https://www.daliquartet.com/

ArCoNet:

https://arconetwork.org/wp/

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Support the show

Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!

Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!

We chat with violinist and arts activist Laura Colgate! As colleagues in the Washington, DC freelance scene, we’ve seen Laura enjoy a versatile career as a chamber and orchestral musician, soloist, educator, curator, activist, and innovator. Not only does she serve as the Concertmaster of the National Philharmonic, she is the founder of the ground-breaking Boulanger Initiative which champions the work of women and non-binary composers, AND she works with young entrepreneurs who are making their own way in the arts. In this conversation, we talk about the role of the Concertmaster, why U.S. orchestra members are stuck in their seats and how a potentially career-ending injury became a blessing in disguise!

Mentioned in this episode:

Laura Colgate, Violin

https://www.lauracolgateviolin.com/

Boulanger Initiative:

https://www.boulangerinitiative.org/

Boulanger Initiative Shop (for Women Composer Alphabet Posters, Companion Booklets and more!)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BoulangerInitiative

University of MD

http://innovation.umd.edu/

The Adventure Challenge

https://www.theadventurechallenge.com/

The Trojan Horse Affair

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/761/the-trojan-horse-affair

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The dynamic and charismatic conductor Luke Frazier joins Liz and Steph for a casual chat about the unique model of the American Pops Orchestra, which he founded in 2015. Luke believes that the future of orchestral music is breaking down barriers between orchestras and audiences. He describes how his upbringing in rural West Virginia shaped his philosophies and how the average American orchestra is missing the point when it comes to serving their community and selling tickets. There’s no question that Luke Frazier is passionate about the purpose of his life’s work: connecting music with every American, regardless of where they live or how much money they make.

Get 15% off Bach Suites and Concerto duets at VlaTutti.com with our code: VIOLACENTRIC

Mentioned in this episode:

GQ article on Ozark’s Laura Linney: https://www.gq.com/story/ozark-laura-linney-netflix

The American Pops: https://theamericanpops.org/

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Interested in starting your own podcast? We can't recommend our host Buzzsprout enough! Click here for an introductory offer from them!