Beyond Mastery

In this episode of the Beyond Mastery podcast, host Eugene Friesen sits down with renowned author, educator, and composer Edward Sarath to explore the transformative power of black music and its vital role in reshaping music education. They discuss improvisation as a foundation for both musical and human consciousness, the need for a new, more inclusive musicology, and how practices like meditatio...

Join us in this profound exploration as we dive into the heart of musical freedom. Eugene reflects on the transformative power of music and how artists can reach beyond mastery to a place where only love for the music exists. Forget the audience, forget the critics, and forget the technique—discover how embracing this freedom can lead to performances that feel like flying, rich with safety, possib...

Classically-trained virtuoso Jordan Rudess reveals how he unlocked the power of improvisation and self-expression, transforming his music into a profound healing force. Jordan shares his journey from Juilliard prodigy to pioneering creative artist and key member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Host Eugene Friesen sits down with Rudess to talk about his fusion of classical discipline w...

John Mark Rozendaal is a renowned musician and fervent climate justice activist. Celebrated for his mastery of Baroque and Renaissance music, John Mark has shifted his focus towards a critical and urgent mission—saving our dying planet. John Mark’s unique protest, playing Bach in front of Citibank to spotlight their substantial investments in fossil fuels, not only led to his arrest but also spotl...

A master storyteller and devotee of Bach's cello suites, Richard Hartshorne aka Dobbs has dedicated his life to bringing music to the most unlikely places around the world. In this episode with Eugene Friesen, Dobbs reveals how his musical journeys have not only changed the lives of his audiences but have also reshaped his own understanding of impact and service through art. Since 2004, Dobbs...

What does "mastery" mean? Eugene Friesen sits down with esteemed jazz pianist and composer - and dear friend - Kenny Werner to  share their journeys towards effortless playing and self-discovery Together, they discuss how being present in the moment and connecting with something eternal through music resonates with others through authentic expression. They navigate the intricate nuances...

Four-time Grammy Award-winner, Glen Velez, is legendary figure in the modern frame drum movement, revered worldwide by musicians and audiences alike. His pioneering influence reshaped contemporary music, introducing a new genre of drumming inspired by years of percussion and frame drumming studies across diverse cultures. In this episode, Glen shares his captivating journey with host Eugene Friese...

Renowned for her virtuosity and versatility, flutist Nancy Stagnitta’s musical evolution was born in classical music and expanded through jazz. In this episode, she sits down with Eugene Friesen to share how improvisation impacted the evolution of her classical artistry and how now, as an instructor at Interlochen Arts Academy and principal flutist with esteemed orchestras, Nancy imparts the art o...

How do we find a way toward a new kind of relevancy for creative artists through innovative forms of collaboration? And how do we honor our histories to engage audiences in our creative process? In this episode, host Eugene Friesen speaks with Chelsey Green, a Billboard-charting artist and teacher renowned for her passionate and innovative performances. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Chelsey shares...

How can we expand musicians' imaginations about how they can serve communities beyond traditional performance? In this episode of Beyond Mastery, host Eugene Friesen engages in a profound dialogue about the power of music with music producer, educator, and sonic activist Joshua Leeds.  In a time of "koyaanisqatsi," which means life out of balance,  Joshua Leeds proposes that musicia...

San Francisco Symphony cellist Barbara Bogatin is also a longtime practitioner of Insight Meditation. In this episode with host Eugene Friesen, Barbara brings these two parts of her life together with practical and transformative tips on practicing, auditioning, and performing. Before joining the San Francisco Symphony, Barbara's varied career included playing with New York Chamber Soloists,...

Matt Glaser is an American jazz and bluegrass violinist and has been an influential thought leader in the history of American jazz and roots music for many years. In this episode with host Eugene Friesen, he talks about his journey in the creative industry, his insights into the history of American jazz and roots music, and how his journey aligns with the world of improvisation, collaboration, and...

Paul Winter is a genre-defining and genre-defying multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist. Paul saw early success as a jazz saxophonist and bandleader with albums on Columbia Records, playing at the Kennedy White House, and State Department tours of South America. This tenure blossomed into a life of purpose in music championing endangered species, our planet, and creating ensembles of star...

This podcast highlights new trends and new thinking in contemporary musicianship. In each episode, Grammy Award-winning composer and cellist Eugene Friesen conducts fascinating interviews with artists who are navigating our fast-moving culture with imagination and optimism. You’ll encounter musicians and thought leaders who point the way toward a new kind of relevancy for creative artists, innovat...