Max Q from Peabody LAUNCHPad

Christina Manceor speaks with percussionist Chris Salvito (Peabody MM ’16) and pianist Nicoletta Favari of Passepartout Duo . Making music that escapes categorization, the duo’s travel around the world informs the multi-disciplinary collaborations, instrumental compositions, and evocative music videos that constitute their work. The conversation centers on how artistic residencies have been...

This week on Max Q, Robin speaks with composer and vocalist Daniel Sabzghabaei (MM ’17). After Peabody Daniel immediately went on to pursue his doctorate, all while continuing to grow his list of commissions and premieres.   We discuss how he deals with creative “drought,” managed to keep creating through the pandemic, trying to escape the trap of being known for a specific kind of work, and what...

In this episode Dr. Forshee is joined by Jessica Satava ( MM ’04, Voice ), executive director of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra in Pennsylvania. They discuss Jessica’s journey to leading an orchestra,   how she joined and learned the needs of her new community through food and concerts, and discoveries about how changing the narrative and venue can open doors to new audiences.   2021 Intro music...

In this episode, Christina Manceor speaks with Allison Clendaniel (BM 2014) and James Young (DMA 2012). Just to name a few facets of their diverse work, Allison and James are performers, composers, and performing arts presenters based in Baltimore. Alongside their colleague Jason Charney, they co-founded Mind on Fire, a cooperative of highly trained musicians whose goal is to eliminate barriers in...

Robin McGinness speaks with Alysia Lee, a 2006 graduate from Peabody and current instructor for Peabody’s Breakthrough Curriculum. Alysia is founder and Artistic Director of Sister Cities Girlchoir, an El Sistema-inspired, girl empowerment, choral academy and serves as the education program supervisor for Fine Arts education for the Maryland State Department of Education. Our conversation ranges f...

This episode of Max Q features cellist and arts administrator Olivia Rainoff (MM ’20) discussing her post-graduation life and work with Robin McGinness, particularly how she quickly found a full-time position after leaving Peabody. We explore the process of finding a job during the pandemic, what prepared and inspired her to pursue a job with Death of Classical, and how her administrative work has...

In this special release, Christina Manceor speaks with Victor Caccese (BM ‘11) and Terry Sweeney (BM ‘13), two members of Sandbox Percussion , a quartet with a focus on creating performances and collaborations that are both visually and aurally impactful for a variety of audiences. We discuss how the group’s priorities have evolved over the years, how they have continued to move forward during the...

Cellist and conductor Thomas Fortner (GPD ’17) joins Christina Manceor to discuss balancing administrative and artistic work, the behind-the-scenes of starting a non-profit, and how understanding your audience plays a role in creating and funding art. We also talk about staying motivated and finding creativity in the administrative elements to serve as a fulfilling outlet for those who don’t perfo...

Our first episode of the second season of Max Q features French guitarist and composer Julien Xuereb (GPD ’17) speaking with Christina Manceor. We discuss how Julien built his active freelance performance and teaching career, strategies he uses to set rates and negotiate with clients, and his approach to time management and goal setting for long-term projects. www.julienguitar.com Outro music – Th...

In this episode, Christina Manceor is joined by Teng Chen (BM & MA ’17), who is a freelance audio engineer currently based in New York City.  In addition to her work as a studio engineer, Teng is also a music production mixer and editor at Saturday Night Live. Teng shares how her goals and path have transformed since she began her studies at Peabody, why networking played a key role in her tra...

Sarah Thomas (MM ’19) joins Christina Manceor in this episode to share her journey as a violinist, chamber musician, and teacher. We explore how her work with Bergamot Quartet has evolved since graduation, what it’s like to teach virtual lessons during the pandemic, and how new and unexpected experiences can be surprisingly influential in both artistic and other professional work. Since Sarah is c...

This episode of Max Q features flutist and educator Amanda Dame (MM ’19) speaking with Robin McGinness. While at Peabody, Amanda was a peer mentor in the LAUNCHPad office. We discuss what can be gained from frustration, finding opportunities in unlikely places (like Craigslist), and how offering free lessons impacted her private teaching. She also shares how she has built her connections and perfo...

Pianist, teacher, and entrepreneur Sahun Sam Hong speaks with Robin McGinness about his approaches to freelancing, and the importance of building business and tech skills as a performer. Currently finishing his doctorate at Peabody, Sam built on the skills he gained from Peabody’s Performer referral service to grow his business as a freelancer, including starting a concert design agency, Subito Ar...

Taylor Davis (MM’ 19) joins Christina Manceor to discuss ways to manage long-term projects, balancing multiple aspects of a portfolio career, and how to approach planning for the future. We also explore ways to engage followers on social media, getting more comfortable with failure, and the importance of trying new things. Percussion Pal 2×1 Media Intro music by Vincent Fasano . Audio editing...

This is a special release, outside of our interviews with recent Peabody alumni. To engage with the current dramatic changes in our world, LAUNCHPad director Dr. Zane Forshee is interviewing distinguished professionals in our field about the impact of COVID19 on students and artists in the performing arts. On today’s release, Dr. Forshee speaks with Boston-based music journalist, digital edi...

This episode Robin McGinness speaks with bass, voice teacher, and radio announcer John TK Scherch  (MM ’17). We explore the idea of ‘creating luck’ – how you can use networking, persistence, and building on your prior experience to ‘luck’ into an ideal career. Additionally, we touch on the role failure can play in your career path and the importance of taking the time to identify your...

This is a special release, outside of our interviews with recent Peabody alumni. To engage with the current dramatic changes in our world, LAUNCHPad director Dr. Zane Forshee is interviewing distinguished professionals in our field about the impact of COVID19 on students and artists in the performing arts This episode, Dr. Forshee interviews  Abra Bush , Peabody’s Senior Associate Dean of In...

This is a special release, outside of our interviews with recent Peabody alumni. To engage with the current dramatic changes in our world, LAUNCHPad director Dr. Zane Forshee is interviewing distinguished professionals in our field about the impact of COVID19 on students and artists in the performing arts In this release, Dr. Forshee speaks with Marin Alsop , Director of Peabody’s Graduate C...

In this episode, Christina Manceor is joined by jazz trumpeter, composer, and educator Kris Johnson (Michigan State University, MM ’07), who visited Peabody as a guest artist in Fall 2019.  We discuss how to stay organized while maintaining a busy freelance career, ways to work smarter rather than work harder, and tips for making genuine connections with colleagues and mentors. Kris also shares hi...

This is a special release, outside of our interviews with recent Peabody alumni. To engage with the current dramatic changes in our world, LAUNCHPad director Dr. Zane Forshee is interviewing distinguished professionals in our field about the impact of COVID19 on students and artists in the performing arts This episode Dr. Forshee speaks with danah bella, chair of Peabody Conservatory Dance. They e...

This is a special release, outside of our interviews with recent Peabody alumni. To engage with the current dramatic changes in our world, LAUNCHPad director Dr. Zane Forshee is interviewing distinguished professionals in our field about the impact of COVID19 on students and artists in the performing arts   In this release, Dr. Forshee speaks with Joseph Young , Peabody’s Ruth Blaustein...

Claire Galloway Weber (MM ’15) joins Robin McGinness to explore the importance of secondary skills or even degrees in maintaining a sustainable career, knowing when to pursue management, and the importance of having supportive team. We also talk about the loss of structure that happens after leaving school, and the need to create a schedule and goals for yourself to keep moving forward. Check out...

This is a special release, outside of our interviews with recent Peabody alumni. To engage with the current dramatic changes in our world, LAUNCHPad director Dr. Zane Forshee is interviewing distinguished professionals in our field about the impact of COVID19 on students and artists in the performing arts. Here Dr. Forshee speaks with trumpeter Sean Jones , Richard and Elizabeth Case Chair of Peab...

In this bonus episode entrepreneur and pianist Susan Zhang (GPD 18’) discusses how she cofounded The Concert Truck, a startup she created during her time at Peabody, and the skills needed to keep it running. You can learn more about The Concert Truck at their website ( www.theconcerttruck.org ) or by following them @theconcerttruck on Twitter , Facebook , or Instagram . Intro music by Vincent Fasa...

Performer, administrator, and arts advocate Zoe Fried (MM ‘16) speaks with Christina Manceor about the ways those who work in the arts can inspire audiences, both through their work on stage as well as back stage. We also discuss how Zoe discovered her passion for arts administration, ways to approach thinking about long-term goals, and finding common ground to organically connect with your collea...