Conducting Parkinson's Conversations

In this episode of Conducting Parkinson's Conversations, Thomas Verrier visits again with Dr. Jonathan Cannon. This time, they discuss experiences dealing with tempo and review some relevant research. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone. ABOUT CONDUCTING P...

In this episode of Conducting Parkinson's Conversations, flutist Teresa Muir shares the story of her 21-year journey with Parkinson's Disease. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone. ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vande...

In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, I speak with Dr. Concetta Tomaino, executive director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Music_and_Neurologic_Function)(IMNF). A past president of the American Association for Music Therapy, Dr. Tomaino is internationally known for her research in the clinical applic...

In the latest episode of Conducting Parkinson’s conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with Colleen Bridges founder of Bridges for Parkinson’s and director of Rocksteady Boxing in middle Tennessee. "Colleen is a true inspiration; I speak from firsthand experience! In our conversation, Colleen discusses the importance for all Parkinson’s patients to have a comprehensive exercise plan!" If y...

In this episode, retired music teacher, Bernhard Spirig speaks candidly about how his emotional health impacts his Parkinson’s symptoms and how making music positively affects his sense of well being. Featured performance of "Lueget vo Berg und Tal" from Swiss Suite for cello and piano by Fabian Müller. Pi-Chin Chien, violoncello, Benjamin Engeli, piano. If you are a musician with Parkin...

Previously, Conducting Parkinson's reposted a YouTube video of Clayton Henderson, a pianist with severe Parkinson symptoms. When he begins to play piano, we see that his symptoms completely disappear. This two-part episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations is with Clayton’s son, Ethan Henderson, who recorded this video back in 2012. In this first part of our conversation, Ethan describes...

In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Dr. Jonathan Cannon discusses some theories regarding the positive effect that the aesthetic experience of music making has on my PD symptoms. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone. ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKIN...

Don Peterson, retired conductor of the Brigham Young University Wind Symphony, joins the podcast to compare notes, as well as to discuss the double-edged sword of Parkinson's and retirement. ABOUT DON: Dr. Don Peterson’s music career began as a young trumpet player in Salt Lake City. He received both his B.M. and M.M. degrees in music education from Brigham Young University, followed by the D....

Revered baton craftsman Phil Aguglia, owner of PaGu Batons, joins Thomas Verrier for a trip down memory lane of when the two collaborated on Verrier's custom baton. ABOUT PHIL: Phil Aguglia’s passion for music was ignited as a student in the City of Buffalo School Public School system learning to play the trumpet. He was fortunate to have some amazing teachers that provided many unique opportu...

Rand Laycock, known for receiving the groundbreaking Deep Brain Stimulation surgery with Cleveland Clinic, joins Thomas Verrier to discuss the impact of this treatment on his conducting journey. Dr. Rand Laycock is a retired high school orchestra conductor and the current music director of the Parma Symphony Orchestra in Northeast Ohio.

British conductor James Morgan joins Thomas Verrier to discuss his journey to diagnosis, navigating the stress of conducting with Parkinson's, and musical preparation strategies. ABOUT JAMES: James initially worked at English National Opera and then went on to conduct operas for Glyndebourne, ENO, English Touring Opera and Raymond Gubbay Ltd. James has conducted and recorded with many of the UK’s...