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In this episode, Liz and Steph talk with Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of the ever-progressive, MacArthur award-winning, Chicago Sinfonietta. Ms Chen is known not only for her energetic style on the podium, but for being a champion for the mission of the Sinfonietta - diversity, equity and inclusion - on the stage, in their organization and in their programming. Liz and Steph had the joy of connecting with Mei-Ann over our common struggle as artists and the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in music and in life. Listen in on this rare and beautiful dialogue between two orchestral musicians and a world-renowned conductor: the authentic and utterly delightful Mei-Ann Chen!

Follow us on FB and IG for a special bonus story from this episode!*

Mentioned in this episode:

Chicago Sinfonietta’s “Project W”: https://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/projectw/

Chicago Sinfonietta’s Artist-in-Residence, Kathryn Bostic:

https://www.chicagosinfonietta.org/artist-in-residence/

*Mucca Pazza in concert with the CS:

Battle of the Bands: Mucca Pazza x Chicago Sinfonietta Finale

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Part 2 is here! Liz and Steph continue their conversation with Assistant Professor of Viola at the University of Arizona, Dr. Molly Gebrian! With her dual-degree in Music and Neuroscience, Molly is a virtual unicorn in the field of music education. A scientist at heart, she is passionate about experimenting with (and on) her students to find the best techniques and philosophies to help in the realm of musical practice. Liz and Steph talk with Molly about how our brain learns and even how we UN-learn bad habits; something that every musician is familiar with! If you sometimes feel as though your practice could use a fresh perspective and some new tools, you can’t miss this conversation!

Mentioned in this episode:

University of AZ Fox School of Music: 

 https://music.arizona.edu/

Oberlin College:

 https://www.oberlin.edu/

Neuroteach, by Glenn Whitman and Ian Kelleher:

 https://www.amazon.com/Neuroteach-Brain-Science-Future-Education/dp/1475825358

Peak, by Anders Ericsson:

 https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/1531864880

Molly’s YouTube channel: 

 https://www.youtube.com/c/DrMollyGebrian

Support the show (https://paypal.me/violacentric)

Support the show (https://paypal.me/violacentric)

Head over to musiciancentric.com to subscribe to our email list!

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!

This week, Liz and Steph welcome Assistant Professor of Viola at the University of Arizona, Dr. Molly Gebrian! With her dual-degree in Music and Neuroscience, Molly is a virtual unicorn in the field of music education. A scientist at heart, she is passionate about experimenting with (and on) her students to find the best techniques and philosophies to help in the realm of musical practice. Liz and Steph talk with Molly about how our brain learns and even how we UN-learn bad habits; something that every musician is familiar with! If you sometimes feel as though your practice could use a fresh perspective and some new tools, you can’t miss this conversation!

Mentioned in this episode:

University of AZ Fox School of Music: 

 https://music.arizona.edu/

Oberlin College:

 https://www.oberlin.edu/

Neuroteach, by Glenn Whitman and Ian Kelleher:

 https://www.amazon.com/Neuroteach-Brain-Science-Future-Education/dp/1475825358

Peak, by Anders Ericsson:

 https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Secrets-New-Science-Expertise/dp/1531864880

Molly’s YouTube channel: 

 https://www.youtube.com/c/DrMollyGebrian

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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 talk with Arts Advocate and performer Sandy Choi. Sandy works with the DC Youth Orchestra Program (DCYOP) as the Community Engagement and Digital Media Manager and is also known for her involvement in the chamber music scene in DC, working with trailblazing groups such as Inscape Chamber Orchestra, Urban Arias and the Balance Campaign. Sandy talks about the role of the youth orchestra in the community and how DCYOP makes participation as inclusive as possible. The friends talk about how creating new music for students could shape the evolution of classical music among other thought-provoking topics. Unpopular opinions and all, you’ll love listening in on this conversation with someone who’s in the trenches!

Mentioned in this episode:

Inscape: https://www.inscape.org/

Balance Campaign: https://balancecampaign.com/

Urban Arias: https://www.urbanarias.org/

DCYOP: https://www.dcyop.org/

NOI K-12 New Music Project: https://theclarice.umd.edu/noi/partnerships/k12-new-music-project

Find Sandy on Social:

Instagram: @sandychoimusic

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Stories? Questions? Thoughts? TEXT us here!

The one where Liz got a terribly sick and couldn’t record with guests so Liz and Steph compiled a ‘favorites’ episode to reflect on Season 1! They talk about how the core values of ViolaCentric have emerged through conversations with some really insightful guests. Enjoy some beautiful and poignant moments from Season 1!

Including clips from:

Ep 2: Inside the Yellow Bubble with Robin Fay-Massie

Ep 7: The Season of Soft Pants with Molly Sharp

Ep 8: Activating the Individual with Tiffany Richardson

Ep 9: The Shift to Abundance with Jennifer Wade

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Liz and Steph talk with the charismatic and poignant Brian Balmages, conductor, composer and passionate music educator. Brian is well-known for his catalogue of widely accessible compositions for student band and orchestra, but is also highly in-demand as a clinician and guest conductor. Steph has known Brian since their undergrad days, and can attest to his flair for performing and...talking. Liz and Steph get Brian’s perspective on the creative process and how everyone, even a world-renowned composer, has bad, not-so-creative days. If you’re looking for a little bit of inspiration and thinly-veiled pep talk, this episode is sure to lift your spirits and leave you smiling.

Mentioned in this episode:

Brian’s website: www.brianbalmages.com

Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/

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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 talk with Doug Rosenthal, trombonist, activist and DC Union Representative. In this episode, Doug talks about a personal shift that literally prepared his inner voice for perfroming with confidence! The friends also get into a lively discussion of what union membership SHOULD mean for freelance musicians and why we’re all wrong about what the AFM (American Federation of Musicians) actually is.

As always, send us your feedback at ViolaCentric.com!

**OUR PRACTIZMA PRACTICE GROUP STARTS SOOOOON**

Got an audition coming up? Recital? Want to find the joy in practice or just need a kick in the pants…ahem...accountability?

Get your Practizma practice journal here: www.Practizma.com and use code ‘VIOLACENTRIC’ for 10% off and an invitation to join us for weekly practice hangs starting in November.

Mentioned in this episode:

Doug’s blog post on Toby Oft’s site: https://www.tobyoft.com/featured-a-tale-of-two-auditions

The American Federation of Musicians: www.afm.org

Embracing Arlington Arts: embracing-arlington-arts.org

Michael J. Bobbitt: massculturalcouncil.org/about/staff/michael-j-bobbitt-bio

Season 2 is sponsored by The ArcRest! Find out more here: www.thearcrest.com

ViolaCentric Theme by JP Wogaman II (@wogamusic), find out more at www.wogamusic.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!

Episode 2 features 'Practice Maven', Susanna Klein! Susanna is a violinist, professor, arts entrepreneur, practice researcher, and author who is passionate about joyful practicing and musician health. She’s spreading the practice joy with Practizma, her innovative practice journal and workbook and her practice aid, the Clipza app. Susanna talks with Liz and Steph about practice baggage and trauma and how we all need some toys in the practice room to spice things up. Hopefully this chat will leave you inspired to try something new!

Mentioned in this episode:

Practizma & Clipza: https://www.practizma.com/, https://www.clipza.com

Tunable App: https://www.tunableapp.com/

TomPlay: https://tomplay.com/

Practicing for Artistic Success by Burton Kaplan: http://magicmountainmusic.com/pdt.shtml

The Perfect Wrong Note by William Westney: http://williamwestney.com/publications/

Use the code “VIOLACENTRIC” at Practizma.com for an extra 10% off your Practizma journal and an invitation to join Liz and Steph on their practice journey, LIVE each week. This offer is only good through the end of October 31, 2021, so don’t delay!

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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 are kicking off Season 2 with ’ThatViolaKid’ Drew Forde! Drew is one of classical music’s first instantly-recognized faces on social media and he uses the medium to connect in an absolutely authentic way with his audience. In this episode, he talks about how his career diverged from the orchestral path and how to stay relevant in today’s ever-changing music scene…even if it means learning about Bitcoin. 

As always, we welcome your feedback! Contact us through our website, violacentric.com or on social media.

If you love the show, consider giving us a 5-star rating and review us on Apple Podcasts…and take it one step further and share it with two friends!

Mentioned in this episode:

Frisch & Denig: chinrests.com

Economics Explained on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EconomicsExplained

Adam Neely, on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnkp4xDOwqqJD7sSM3xdUiQ

Black Violin: https://blackviolin.net/

Books:

Overcoming Underearning, by Barbara Staney

The Deficit Myth, by Stephanie Kelton

22 Immutable Laws of Marketing/Branding, by Al Ries & Jack Trout

ViolaCentric Theme by JP Wogaman II (@wogamusic), find out more at www.wogamusic.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 Stephanie respond to some of the questions and feedback received from YOU, our listeners! In this season finale episode, we also reflect on this experience, express our gratitude for all of our supporters, and hint a little at what's to come! We hope you'll stay in touch with us this summer as we plan for even MORE ways to spread that warm #violalove in season 2. Talk with you soon! 

violacentric.com
Instagram: @ViolaCentric
Facebook: @ViolaCentricConnect
Clubhouse: The ViolaCentric Club

JP Wogaman II, Composer/Producer: wogamusic.com
Potter Violins: potterviolins.com
Alto Clef Gifts: altoclefgifts.com, promo code "VIOLACENTRIC" for 10% off!

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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!