Moveable Do

This week on Moveable Do , Steve brings the podcast journey to a close with a heartfelt farewell episode. After 128 interviews, 45 Moveable Snippets, 15 bonus episodes, and more than five years behind the microphone, Steve reflects on the remarkable path this show has taken—from a new mic and a dream in 2020 to a global community of listeners across more than 100 countries. In this final episode,...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve wraps up Season 9 with acclaimed composer, arranger, and performer Shawn Kirchner. Known for his soaring melodies and genre-blending choral writing, Shawn’s music has become a favorite of ensembles worldwide. From setting Plath and Neruda to singing on soundtracks like La-La Land and Avatar , Shawn’s creative life bridges the sacred, poetic, and cinematic. In this e...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes composer, pianist, and musical activist Keane Southard. Known for his thoughtful fusion of artistry and advocacy, Keane’s music spans genres and continents—often reflecting themes of environmental justice, nonviolence, animal rights, and spiritual exploration. Whether hiking the Appalachian Trail or teaching in Brazil, his lived experiences resonate deeply...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve talks with multi-talented composer, songwriter, and sound designer Alyson Fewless. From high school serenades with her guitar to award-winning theatrical scores, Alyson’s music is an eclectic blend of emotional authenticity, theatrical flair, and thoughtful craft. Her journey has taken her from the stage to the screen—and now to New Zealand, where she composes while...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes Emmy-nominated composer, singer-songwriter, and multimedia creator Shaun Barrowes. From competing on American Idol to creating a YA sci-fi novel with a full soundtrack and graphic audiobook, Shaun's work defies boundaries and blends story with song in powerful ways. Whether touring high schools with anthems like Live For Music or collaborating with arti...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes the dynamic vocal trio Artemisia—Diana Lawrence, Alexandra Olsavsky, and Kaitlin Foley. Based in Chicago, Artemisia is a vocal theater ensemble dedicated to telling female-forward stories through genre-defying vocal music. With influences from classical, folk, pop, and global traditions, these three powerhouse performers blend original compositions with the...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes innovative composer and musical storyteller Erich Stem. Known for his emotionally resonant works and adventurous collaborations, Erich’s music explores connection—between place, people, and sound. From symphonies inspired by American landscapes to experimental chamber works rooted in poetry and personality, Erich brings a unique voice to the contemporary cl...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes celebrated Canadian composer and educator Christine Donkin. Known for her striking melodic clarity and structural inventiveness, Christine’s works are performed by major ensembles around the world and are widely featured in educational syllabi. Whether she’s writing pedagogical miniatures or large-scale choral pieces, Christine brings a thoughtful and compe...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes genre-spanning composer Matthew Peterson. From the grandeur of symphonies and operas to the intimate nuance of choral textures, Matthew’s music defies boundaries while stirring the soul. Now based in Sweden and serving as Composer-in-Residence with Dalasinfoniettan, Matthew shares how his musical journey led from the U.S. to Europe, and what fuels his emoti...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes beloved choral composer and educator Laura Farnell. With a background in teaching and a catalog of over 60 published choral works, Laura is known for her heartfelt, accessible music—particularly for middle school choirs. From her days as a classroom teacher to her work as a sought-after clinician, Laura brings insight, warmth, and intention to every piece s...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes longtime educator and prolific composer Dan Davison. With over four decades of experience teaching middle school choir in Puyallup, Washington, Dan brings a wealth of insight into working with developing voices—and the musical creativity to match. From dynamic rhythms to text-driven drama, Dan's compositions have become a staple for choirs of all levels...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes composer, conductor, and singer-songwriter Karen Marrolli. With a career spanning sacred music, community outreach, and intimate storytelling, Karen brings a dynamic and deeply human perspective to everything she creates. From her work as Director of Music Ministries in Albuquerque to founding the powerful Lux Aeterna choir, her music uplifts, provokes, and...

This week on Moveable Do, composer Clark Lawlor joins the podcast to share his remarkable return to music after a 20-year hiatus. After initially studying composition at the University of Utah, Clark stepped away for a career in business and technology—only to rediscover his passion through choral singing. Now an award-winning composer with performances across five continents, Clark reflects on th...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve welcomes internationally acclaimed composer Roxanna Panufnik. From royal commissions to global peace-building through music, Roxanna’s career spans opera, orchestral works, choral compositions, and cross-cultural collaborations. With her signature blend of emotional depth and musical diplomacy, she has become one of Britain’s most beloved and forward-thinking compos...

This week on Moveable Do, Steve launches Season 9 with composer and conductor Ryan Murphy. As Associate Music Director of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Ryan brings artistry, precision, and spiritual depth to one of the world’s most iconic choral ensembles. From his early days in Connecticut to sharing the podium with Mack Wilberg, Ryan’s musical journey is as inspiring as it is accomplish...

Season 9 is here! In this special preview episode of Moveable Do , host Steve Danielson welcomes listeners back for another season of composer stories, musical discovery, and creative inspiration. With 175 episodes now in the archive—114 full interviews and countless bonus gems—Steve reflects on the journey so far and shares highlights from a summer filled with travel, presentations, interviews, a...

Season 8 of Moveable Do officially wraps up with this special bonus episode. Steve thanks each of the guests from this season, shares some stats about the podcast, and talks about the future of Moveable Do. He also talks about the song you’ve been hearing at the beginning of each episode, Dark Night . It’s an even cooler piece that you might think it is. Thank you for supporting Moveable Do throug...

For the final episode of season 8 of Moveable Do , Steve welcomes renowned composer and conductor Dr. David Dickau . Based in Boise, Idaho, David shares highlights from his impressive career, including his time as Director of Choral Activities at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and the honor of receiving the F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award. Dive into David’s creative process...

This week on Moveable Do, composer, arranger, and songwriter Amy Gordon joins the podcast to discuss her melodic yet harmonically surprising choral works. Amy shares how her influences—Debussy, Ravel, and Steve Reich—shape her compositions and reveals her approach to interpreting poetry through music. Plus, we dive into her love of film scoring. And, if Amy had to choose a theme song for her life,...

This week, Tunisian-born Canadian-American composer, Karim Al-Zand talks with Moveable Do about his work as a music educator and about the many awards and honors he has received. We also dive a little bit into the humorous side of music. And, if Karim could start a rumor about himself, what would it be? Find out this week on Moveable Do! Pieces featured on this episode: Paganini Reverie Strange Ma...

You will have lot of fun listening to this interview with versatile composer Naomi LaViolette. She talks about the blessing and curse of having perfect pitch and some of the amazing blessings and experiences accompanying the Oregon Repertory Singers for 20 years! And, if she could learn a skill or talent instantly, what would it be? Find out this week on Moveable Do! Pieces featured on this episod...

This week, we take a trip through visual art and illustration, poetry, lyric writing, music, and faith with the versatile Faith Zimmer . Along her journey, Faith shares lessons learned from studying with Charles Anthony Silvestri and Alice Parker (though not at the same time!). And if Faith could explore underwater or outer space, where would she go? Find out on Moveable Do Pieces featured on this...

Bend your ear into the world of electronic music with composer Henry Vega . He talks with Steve about how he got into electronic music, what excites him about the future of electronic music, and advice for young composers wanting to follow the same path. He shares some of his most exciting projects and collaborations. And, if Henry could write theme music for a fictional character, who would he ch...

David Klement, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Idaho, joins Moveable Do this week. He talks about his beginning musical career as a boy chorister and all that entails - including a special award! He also shares how his training as a choral conductor has influenced his composing. And, if David could live in a fictional world, where would he choose? All this and more this week on...

This week, Moveable Do is joined by Brittney Benton , a masters student at the Yale School of Music. Brittney and Steve talk about her musical journey and offer advice for other emerging composers. How does she face challenges in her career? What about writer's block? And if she had to write a book tomorrow, what would she write? Check it out on Moveable Do! Pieces featured on this episode: ⁠ Lull...