OSA Backstage

Dani & Serena talk to Nate Olson (principal bass) and Bobby Scharmann (associate principal bass) about why bass is... [gestures vaguely]. This episode comes complete with show and tell, Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar Strawberry & Cream, and an extension demonstration! Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email Osabackstage@gmail.com! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with othe...

Dani & Serena talk to José Luis Gomez about unexpected paths to conducting, saying “why not” instead of “why,” and the incredible importance of a single up-beat. Prefer video? See below, or go here ! Have questions? 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 Gary Thor Wedow, conductor of Opera Omaha’s “The Barber of Seville,” about great teachers, getting Boulanger’ed, and why the Rossini contagion is the best contagion. Have a question? Email Osabackstage@gmail.com! Prefer video? It’s embedded in this message, or go here ! 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 Brett Hodge (Principal French Horn) about being your own prima-donna hype-man, how the French horn works (Dani still doesn’t know), and dreaded first pages. Prefer video? It’s now in this app, or 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 da...

Dani & Serena talk to Tracy Bass & Nick Buonanni (Music Librarians) about being the Hobbits of the Orchestra, being so nosy it becomes a career, and the art of prioritization. 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 pianist George Li about growing up as a pianist, why it helps to stretch your brain, and 13-year-olds playing Rachmaninoff. 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 JoAnn Falletta about building relationships with orchestras, music as service, and what you gain when you lead from the podium. 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 close out Season 1 of OSA Backstage with a record-busting finale! References: 7’35”: Jean-Marie Leclair 15’: Tonos del sur 16’55” Netherlands Bach Society; Rudolf Lutz; Pygmalion; Ludwig Güttler 18’55” Jan Dismas Zelenka 22’35”: Heifetz, Rubinstein, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Scott all said it. 27’: Indianapolis Baroque, concertmastered by Adrian Post 29’10": Jeannette Sorrell of Apol...

Dani & Serena talk to Henry Jenkins (violin) and Sara Magill (harp) about finding pieces to be obsessed about, Debussy versus Ravel, and schmalzing it up in the best possible way for the Summer Concert Series. 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 Brett Hodge about building a brass quintet program, why it helps to be on a text-message level relationship with a composer, and a crucial first: Brett’s favorite dinosaur. 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 Maria Harding (flute) about the Omaha Chamber Music Society’s Summer Concert Series, which culminates with a 360-degree tribute to Willa Cather. This concert has everything: dance, extraordinary music, spoken word, live art… and birds. So many birds.

Dani & Serena talk to Ankush Kumar Bahl (Music Director) about finding what fits, being willing to be uncomfortable, and why you should listen when your violist friend invites you to a Symphony concert. Prefer video? Go here ! The 24.25 season is almost over! What questions didn’t we answer? Anything you desperately need to know going into 25.26? Email osabackstage@gmail.com! This is a public epis...

What could it cost? $10? Dani & Serena talk to KVNO's Ben Rasmussen about what weddings and programming have in common, 3 a.m. Harp Concertos, and why peer pressure tuba might be the best thing that could happen to someone. 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 Susanna Perry Gilmore (concertmaster), Maria Harding (principal flute) and Christi Zuniga (principal keyboard) about historically informed performance, margarita mix, and keeping out of trouble at the National Music History Museum in Vermillion. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Recommendation? General chaos? Email osabackstage@gmail.com This is a public episode. If yo...

Dani & Serena talk to Judy Divis (viola) about creating opportunities for the next generation, faking it ‘til you make it, and having the best seat in the house for 38 years. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Want to request a musician interview? 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 talks to Sarah Cranor (violin) and Pat Pfister about running long distance as professional musicians - and why pickles, above all else, are key. 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 violinist Amaryn Olmeda and Maestro Ken-David Masur about Mozart in 2025, being the interpretation, and why it's kenough to just be yourself. Prefer Video? Go here ! Have a question? You know the drill: 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 speaks with composer and OSA program notes writer Mathew Fuerst about listening to music on its own terms, what “sonata form” actually is, and how the answer to “Why?!” is, more often than not… “It depends.” Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question for Matt, Serena, or myself? Osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...

Dani & Serena talk to Assistant Principal Bassoon Nick Nelson about trying not to do podcasts, the Texas band tradition, making reeds, and the 2nd Bassoon's role in building up a wind section. Have a question or a topic you’d like us to cover? 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 b...

Dani & Serena talk to Greg Clinton (Associate Principal Cello) and Mary Perkinson (Section Violin) about when you know you’ve found the right instrument, the importance of teachers’ words to their students… and why troubadours probably had it pretty easy. Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question that you’d like your favorite musician to answer? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episod...

Dani & Serena talk to Erik Thorstensen (Director of Digital Initiatives & Production) and Jamie Pham (Artistic Manager) about discovering what you do well, skipping class to get rid of your flute, and when you’re mentally allowed to move on to the next project. Have a question? Send it to osabackstage@gmail.com ! Prefer video? Go here ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this w...

Dani & Serena talk to Kevin Tompkins (Assistant Principal Second Violin) and Juliet Yoshida (Section Violin) about faking it, bowings, and why personal space is worth its weight in gold in an opera pit. 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 sit down with Principal Percussion Paul Matthews and Principal Harp Janna Young to discuss why chimes are the worst, the instrument that’s harder than harp, and a Sleigh Ride gatekeeping story for the ages. You might need to watch the video for this one - which can be found here ! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonu...

Dani & Serena talk to West Virginia Symphony Music Director - and OSA guest - Maurice Cohn about cat opinions, treating every rehearsal like it’s the only rehearsal, and composers on the beach. You can see Maurice and the Omaha Symphony at the Joslyn on Sunday, March 2nd, with soloist Lisa Meyerhofer! Prefer video? Go here ! Have a question? Email osabackstage@gmail.com ! This is a public episode....

Dani & Serena talk to Omaha Symphony 3rd Flute & Piccolo Lisa Meyerhofer about all things auxiliary instruments, bad air, and why piccolo triggers your fight-or-flight response. 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