Music Speaks

In this episode, we talk to author, producer, composer, and podcast host Tyler Suarez. Check it out! Here is a little information about Tyler: Tyler Suarez is a twenty-one-year-old multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, artist, and activist from Naugatuck, Connecticut. Tyler had always had a strong affinity for music and musical expression- starting to play guitar when he was four years old. T...

Shaun and Hunter talk to DMA Pianist, Multi-Competition Winner, and all-around lovely human Junwen Liang. Check out now! Chinese-born pianist Junwen Liang began his piano studies at nine and made his solo debut at the age of thirteen. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Ithaca College, where he received a full scholarship. And a Master of Music at Indiana University Jacobs School...

In this episode, conductor, vocalist, artist, Meredith Neumann discusses how she overcomes her own performance anxiety and addresses students issues with stage fright. Check out now!

In this episode, Hunter and Shaun talk about Shaun's experience with the musical Hair, and his knowledge of the score and the meaning behind the songs! Check out now!

As a conductor, performer, composer, teacher, and wonderful human being, Ricardo Brown breaks down how performance anxiety can affect his day-to-day as an artist striving for greatness. Check out now! Ricardo T. Brown is a native of Portsmouth, VA. The second child of Ricardo Sr. and Terry Brown. He received his high school degree from Churchland High School where he was selected to All-District B...

The music of Studio Ghibli films has been so moving and different. Why is that? Discover this secret while we look at such films as Kiki's Delivery Service and Spirited Away; discover more about Joe Hisaishi, the composer of such films.

Frédéric Devreese was born in 1929 in Belgium to composer and conductor Godfried Devreese. According to Naxos, “Following in the footsteps of his father, who conducted music for silent movies, entered the world of film music, and wrote 40 scores.” He is known for his orchestral compositions, as well as his family music. He died in 2020 of cancer at the age of 91. Today we look at two pieces of Dev...

Singer, Writer, Music Enthusiast, and all-around Interesting Person, Jenna Rizzo, discusses her new music job and how she changes the world with her musical choices.

Future Epidemiologist and United Kingdom Master's student Molly Moran breaks down her year of new musical tastes. 

What is one of the greatest works of the 20th century, has seven different genres of music, and is written by one of the biggest icons of the music industry? Please check it out!

In these episodes, we talk about why performance anxiety is with us and why it makes us who we are as performers! Please check out now!

Hunter and Shaun discover the last Brandenburg (no. 6 in Bb Major) Please check out now!!

Hunter and Shaun look into Brandenburg No. 5 in D major and find compositional similarities in his music regarding other Brandenburgs. 

Hunter and Shaun dive into the music of Kevin McKee and discuss his progression as a composer. Kevin McKee is an American composer of (primarily) brass chamber music.  He was born and raised in Yreka, CA, a tiny mountain town in the heart of the “State of Jefferson” (Northern California).  He began playing the trumpet in grade school at the urging of his father, the high school music tea...

Our 5-time guest Valerie Nuzzolo interviews Music Speaks co-hosts Shaun and Hunter about their top 5 playlists (ten songs in total). Check it out now!

In this episode, Shaun and Hunter go undercover to look at Brandenburg No. 4 in G Major. Please check out now!

Hunter and Shaun help Nicole Murray break down some pieces she will be performing soon and some of the new choices she wanted to get the attention of. Nicole Murray is a flutist and teacher based in buffalo, NY. Her teaching approach is based firmly on the belief that all students should enjoy playing music, and it is the role of the private teacher to help each student find their own unique music...

Hunter and Shaun act as musical therapists in this deep and thought-provoking interview with the artist known as Cubbage. Cubbage hails from Philadelphia, but his heart is that of a traveler. With music rooted in pop/folk foundations, his style also seeks inspiration from jazz and soul reminiscent of John Mayer and Jamie Cullum. Traveling across the US in a sleeper van and busking on the streets b...

Hunter and Shaun look at Bach's Brandenburg No. 3 in G Major, one of Bach's shortest concerti.

Shaun and Hunter examine some choral renaissance music with returning guest Meredith Neumann. Meredith Neumann is the Choirmaster at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, CT, where she conducts the professional Schola Cantorum. Founded in 1999 by Archdiocesan Music Director and Organist, Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez, the choir’s repertoire encompasses the full range of Roman Catholic music, includin...

Shaun and Hunter examine Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, and why the trumpet part is incredibly challenging and cracking Bach's compositional system. Please check it out!   

Hunter and Shaun examine Composer/Arranger Joseph Melvin's top ten (eleven) movie soundtracks and quiz him on his soundtrack knowledge. Check it out!

Here is a little extra from Sphie's interview, where Hunter discusses Sphie's song "Imaginary Line."

Hunter talks with Australian Song-Writer/Producer/Composer Cassidy Watts. Check out now! 

We broke down Igor Stravinsky's Soldier Tale with four-time guest and DMA clarinetist Valerie Nuzzolo. According to the LA Phil website,  "Toward the end of World War I, Stravinsky was facing the harsh realities of economic deprivation: payments from his German publishers were being held back, and the Russian Revolution had cut off his income from the family estate. Sensing disaster, Stravins...