Backstage: Classical Conversations

Anthea Kreston, former violinist of the Artemis String Quartet, shares her extraordinary journey through the classical music world, from early beginnings to international success. Listen as she talks about her musical mentors Isaac Stern and Ida Kavafian, joining a commune in Oregon, the transformative experience of joining the Artemis String Quartet, and becoming a writer for the Slipped Disc blo...

In this episode, violinist Sheryl Staples, Principal Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, shares her journey from a young musician to a renowned orchestral performer and educator. She discusses studying with Robert Lipsett, orchestra auditions, balancing being a mother and working full-time, recording with John Williams, and her new teaching position at the Juilliard School. Suppo...

In this episode, David Samuel shares his journey from a young musician in Canada to an international performer and educator. He discusses the importance of authenticity, the value of competitions, and the collaborative process of commissioning new music, offering insights for aspiring musicians. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast...

Stefan Jackiw shares his journey from a young violinist to a professional performer and educator, highlighting key mentors, experiences, and insights into the life of a musician. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com Intro and Outro Music:  Season 1: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo...

Renowned cellist Christopher Costanza of the former St. Lawrence String Quartet and faculty at Stanford University talks about recording the Haydn String Quartets and Bach Suites for solo cello, stories from his travels around the world, and his current teaching position. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Visit our website: back...

Renowned cellist Christopher Costanza shares his journey through classical music, from early beginnings to his experiences with the St. Lawrence String Quartet and collaborations with composers like Messiaen. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Visit our website: backstageclassicalpodcast.com Intro and Outro Music:  Season 1: Beet...

In this episode, Pasha Sabouri (former teacher of host Katrina Stroud) shares his journey from a young violinist to a renowned educator and festival founder. Discover insights on teaching philosophy, building a music studio, and creating impactful music festivals. To learn more about Dr. Sabouri visit: https://www.pashasabouri.com/ Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on...

Merry Peckham, Director of Chamber Music and Assistant Dean at the Juilliard School, is a renowned chamber musician and educator. Listen as she shares her extensive journey through the world of classical music, from her early influences to her experiences with prestigious quartets, starting the Cavani String Quartet, and her approach to coaching the next generation of musicians. Support the show P...

Molly Carr shares the most memorable stories from her global nonprofit, Project: Music Heals Us and becoming a member of the Juilliard String Quartet. Discover her insights on overcoming fear, finding passion, and making a meaningful impact through music. To learn more about Molly Carr visit: https://molly-carr.com/ Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @back...

Violist Molly Carr shares her inspiring journey from a young violist in Reno, Nevada to a member of the Juilliard String Quartet and founder of Project Music Heals Us. Discover her insights on overcoming fear, finding passion, and making a meaningful impact through music. To learn more about Molly Carr visit: https://molly-carr.com Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on...

Violinist Jesse Mills is a founding member of the critically acclaimed Horszowski Trio. Listen as he shares his journey from childhood to professional stages, mentorship experiences, and insights into the importance of new music and mentorship in the classical world. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Visit our website: backstage...

Devin Moore is the violist of the internationally acclaimed Isidore String Quartet. Listen as he talks about his musical background from growing up in Pittsburgh to becoming a Kovner Fellow at the Juilliard School. Moore talks about the creation of the Isidore String Quartet along with winning the Banff Competition, and how the quartet works together. Moore is also the co-founder of the Greenroom...

Erin Keefe is the concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra and faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music. Listen as she talks about her musical background and education, her Minnesota orchestra audition and experience as concertmaster, the role of chamber music in her career and her teaching techniques.  To learn more about Erin Keefe visit: https://www.erinkeefeviolin.com/ Support the show...

Listen to the season finale with violist Misha Amory, teacher at the Juilliard School and Curtis Institute, and founding member of the Brentano String Quartet, the quartet-in-residence at the Yale School of Music. In this insightful interview, Amory shares his journey from a young musician to a celebrated quartet member and teacher. Discover his perspectives on chamber music, teaching philosophy,...

Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan, Danielle Belen, talks about how she prepares her students for auditions, creating a supportive studio environment, entrepreneurship, and gives her advice to aspiring professional musicians.  To learn more about Danielle Belen visit: https://www.belenviolin.com Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstagec...

Danielle Belen, Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance, shares her journey though the music world and finding her passion for teaching the violin. Listen as she discusses her musical background, studying with Robert Lipsett and becoming his teaching assistant, and how she has built a reputation for success in her students. To learn more about Danielle...

Multi-style double bassist Jacob Warren shares his journey of being a classically trained bassist and learning different genres of music. Listen as he speaks about musical mentors, co-creating the chamber groups Warren and Flick and Westbound Situation, and joining the group Kittel & Co. Warren also mentions his process of composing and arranging music, and gives advice to aspiring professiona...

Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Nathan Cole shares his journey from a young violinist influenced by his musical family to becoming a prominent figure in the orchestral world. He discusses his experiences at the Curtis School of Music, the importance of new music in classical performance, and the challenges of balancing family life with a demanding career. He also provides insights into the au...

Paul Watkins is an esteemed cellist on faculty at the Yale School of Music and a member of the Emerson String Quartet starting in 2013. He discusses the influence of his musical education, the importance of mentorship, and the experiences that shaped his career. Paul also reflects on his dual passion for conducting and teaching, emphasizing the significance of showing up and learning in every musi...

Violinist Robert McDuffie talks about obtaining his Guaneri del Gesu violin in a limited partnership, starting the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and creating the Rome Chamber Music Festival.  To learn more about the McDuffie Center visit: mcduffie.mercer.edu Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on Instagram: @backstageclassicalpodcast Visit our website: backstagecla...

Robert McDuffie is a distinguished American violinist. Listen as he talks with host Katrina about his musical mentors including Dorothy DeLay and Yehudi Menhuin and lessons he learned while touring around the world. McDuffie tells the stories of monumental moments in his career such as performing for Samuel Barber and commissioning the Phillip Glass violin concerto, the American Four Seasons. Part...

Violinist Fabiola Kim is a renowned solo violinist and teaches at the University of Michigan and Colburn School. Listen as she talks about her musical mentors, finding her passion for teaching, lessons she's learned performing, and advice she has for aspiring professional musicians.  To learn more about the Sounding Point Academy visit: https://www.soundingpointacademy.com/  Support the show...

Sarah Ying Ma is a violinist in the Poiesis Quartet that just won the Banff Competition Grand Prize. Ma shares her musical background, the importance of new music, and how to keep "classical" music relevant in today's society. They discuss the evolving identity of their string quartet, emphasizing a departure from the traditional labels associated with classical music. Ma highlights...

Double bassist Jeffrey Turner is a renowned principal orchestral musician, conductor, and pedagogue and teaches at the Indiana University Jacob's School of Music. Listen as he walks through each of his career paths, explains his teaching methods, and talks about how we can keep classical music relevant in today's society. Support the show Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud Follow us on...

Violinist Nancy Zhou shares her journey as a musician raised in an immigrant family, influenced by traditional music and her father's teachings. She discusses her education at prestigious institutions, the impact of competitions, and the importance of mentorship, particularly with Anne-Sophie Mutter. Nancy reflects on her recent projects that explore cultural heritage through music, her new a...