OSA Backstage

Dani & Serena talk with Omaha artist Ann Pape about thinking in reverse, the color in a shadow, and saying more with less in this cozy, rainy-day bonus interview. Prefer video? Go here ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk with conductor Anna Rakitina and cellist Jaemin Han about why cellists are the nicest, the natural voice of the Schumann Cello Concerto, and why betting against your nine-year-old is a bad bet. Prefer video? Go here ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena deep-dive Bartók, his Divertimento, and having your 20th century heart both on your sleeve, and locked tight within a vault with Nicole Cowan (assistant music librarian) and Mathew Fuerst (composer). Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes...

Dani & Serena talk with baritone Edward Vogel about fearlessly putting yourself forward, ornamentation as rhetoric, and the incredible drama of Handel's music. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk with Sonya Headlam, soprano, about occupying a space and time, why you don’t outgrow teachers, and the joy of tackling a new piece. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk with pianist Joyce Yang about being her aunt's perfect guinea pig, working with friends, and finding out you've been a concert pianist all along. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk with conductor Lee Mills (Music Director, Greenville Symphony) about the best way to go into auditions, priorities when you approach a piece, and how sometimes, you really can do everything. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi...

It’s a Deep-Dive! Dani & Serena talk with composer (and OSA program notes annotator) Mathew Fuerst, and Assistant Librarian Nicole Cowan about Gershwin’s Roaring-20’s Piano Concerto in F. Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com Prefer video? Go here ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.c...

Dani & Serena start Season 3 with Maestro JoAnn Falletta, talking about why Joyce Yang is her hero, friendships with composers, and trusting Richard Strauss to show you the extremes of humanity. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.s...

Dani & Serena talk with Sarah Cranor and Alejandro Gómez Guillén about the final program of the OCMS Summer Concert Series, rabbit-holes that lead to infinite other rabbit-holes, perfectly good uses for donkey jaws, and why this glimpse of the Baroque music of Latin America is a drop in the ocean of possibility. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a publ...

Dani and Serena talk about meddling teacher up to only good, letting the 12-year-old do their thing, and mixed metaphors about chamber music programs that are going to require copious amounts of electrolytes. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, vis...

Dani & Serena talk with Dr. Federico Montes (Associate Principal Trumpet) about taking chances, why orchestral trumpet in the States is a whole different animal, and making music with friends on June 14 for the Omaha Chamber Music Society. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

Dani and Serena talk with Brett Hodge, who needs no introduction, about starting off the 2026 Summer Concert Series with a well-deserved laugh. Video on Tuesday on all the channels! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk with Anthony McGill (Principal Clarinet, New York Philharmonic, +++) about impromptu jam sessions, trusting our teachers with our sound, and the good baggage of an old friend. Video link to come soon on the OSA Backstage Youtube Channel! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acces...

Dani & Serena talk with Jeff Koterba about embracing life’s unexpected rabbit holes, napuccinos, and the lasting impact of something started with kindness in mind. Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! Prefer video? Go here ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk to Lauren Medici & Josh Quinn (Opera Omaha) about all things Beethoven Five and Bluebeard's Castle. Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! Prefer video? Go here ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk with Lidiya Yankovskaya (conductor) about fan-girling for famous pianists, (politely) ignoring your advisors, and authenticity in interpretations. Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com! Prefer video? Go here ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk with Nicole Cowan (Assistant Librarian) and Mathew Fuerst (composer, program notes annotator) about Béla Bartók’s psychological masterpiece: Bluebeard’s Castle. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk with Lina González-Granados (conductor) about making your own decisions, pharmaceutical reps gifting busts of Beethoven, and the importance of jumping in without fear of consequences. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danim...

Dani & Serena talk to Jay Wise (bass trombone) about impossible Bartok glissandos, Mozart using the trombone as the best back-up vocalist ever, and why it's important to troll German e-bay. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack...

Dani & Serena talk to François López-Ferrer, guest conductor, about breaking things apart and putting them back together, the benefits of a MacBook on a young musician, and the honesty of music at different stages in life. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question: Email osabackstage@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus e...

Dani & Serena talk to Ricardo Amador (section violin) about 35 years (!!) with the Omaha Symphony, studio sessions with the man, the myth, the legend John Williams, having baby violin traps for your kids, and why nothing beats the sound of a great car. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscr...

Dani & Serena talk to Jim Compton (Principal Bassoon) about living legends, the lack of magic beans in bassoon reeds, and why taking things apart and putting them back together again can be the best part of making music. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus e...

Dani & Serena talk to Francisco Fullana (violin) about embracing what you need work on, the joy of rabbit-holes, and the joy of returning to familiar pieces like they're old friends. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com

Dani & Serena talk to Christopher Allen (conductor, pianist) about returning to making music, a Bluebeard’s Castle approach to seizing opportunity, and progressively tinier cups. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danimeier.substack.com