Zeitgeist Radio

Dr. Drake Andersen is a composer and professor who runs a chamber ensemble of iPads in live, improvisatory performances Follow Drake: https://drakeandersen.com/   ​ Here's a link ​to some of the performances: https://mediaspace.ccsu.edu/playlist/dedicated/1_m8rrnjnz/1_q3wkl6ko My podcast, newsletter, and archives are all available to anyone, for free. Help me keep it that way: https://zeitgeist-ac...

What separates the greatest performers from the rest of us? Robert Durso has coached world-class piano performers… and their teachers too.  Follow Robert: golanksyinstitute.org http://www.robertdurso.net Robert Durso - YouTube My podcast, newsletter, and archives are all available to anyone, for free. Your support helps cover the platforms and systems, and time! https://zeitgeist-academy.kit.com/p...

What's the farthest you've been willing to go to try something new?  William Watson loaded up his bicycle and flew halfway across the world, to a country where he doesn't speak the language, to stay in a stranger's backyard for two weeks for an absolutely one of a kind dance event where he didn’t know anybody.   William’s info site on Bal Folk: https://www.quiteapair.us/balfolk/ An...

Have you played this week? I don’t mean your instrument. I mean, have you engaged your brain and body in something make believe that maybe feels a little silly? Danielle McNamera is a music educator who believes the play involved in teaching kids music… is just as important for adults. Follow Danielle: LyricsandMelodiesStudio.com MiniMelodies.com Instagram: LyricsandMelodiesStudio Facebook: Mini M...

Finding joy is a challenge attempted by philosophers, religious gurus, and even chemists. Dr Michael McGee is a psychiatrist, author, and jazz pianist whose performances blend music and mindfulness. In his work, simple pleasures…are existentially important. Watch Dr Mike’s performance: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/r0e9k8edxjga6al3b39fe/NAMI.mp4?rlkey=77ntaamj5kdjjh3w6mwad7kag&dl=0 Visit his...

Music is a tool that helps a lot of people get through tough stuff. Addiction, depression, body image issues, trauma… Bri is a singer-songwriter who doesn’t shy away from complex emotions and experiences.  Follow Bri:  SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/6A3qt0TX7AD6OsOnI9 YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCsMWIMdgsoY4W2r7t9Y5fFg Listen to the songs she has published as of our interview: J...

Contra dancing is an American folk dance that is laughably hard to describe… or is it? Jeffrey Spero is a contra dance musician, caller, and choreographer. We talk about the varied music of contra dance, what makes a great dance band, and everything that happens behind-the-scenes to make a wonderful dance evening (hint: there’s more improv than you might think!). Follow Jeffrey: www.jeffreyspero.c...

What age were you when you started learning music? High school choir? Middle school band? What about piano lessons at age eight? Or even earlier, like two or three years old… or even… earlier? Jacque Negus is a retired early childhood music instructor, specifically Kindermusik, and created a lot of the curriculum materials used by teachers everywhere. In this episode we discuss her journey with th...

How do you build a space where musicians want to hang out? John Avilla is a bassist and co-founder of Sound Union in Redwood City, California. In this episode we discuss his transition from a career in marketing and advertising to founding a 'health club for musicians.' We explore how a single community can cater to diverse age groups, genres and musical abilities, promoting a supportive e...

What makes a folk dance, and what is it like to do these dances socially? The Bay Osos Folk Dancers meet every week to dance to music from Bavaria to the Western Sahara, Polynesia, the Balkans, and more. They share their experiences with the music, how they got started, how YOU can get started, and what keeps them dancing decade after decade. Follow the Bay Osos Folk Dancers: http://www.bayososfol...

What is the difference between spoken word poetry and rap? Coco Peila, a hip hop artist and songwriting coach from New York City, has done it all, and career hinges on one surprising comment her sister made on this difference. In this episode. Coco shares her winding journey through the music industry, from shy spoken word artist to performing at prominent venues like the Hollywood Bowl. We talk a...

Have you ever held an instrument and felt like it was made just for you? Jeff Hampton started out building a custom guitar for aesthetic purposes, but his interest expanded into ergonomics alongside cool-looking design. In this episode Jeff shares the tools, techniques, and creative processes behind creating a guitar. Sign up for my newsletter: www.zeitgeistacademy.com/radio Zeitgeist Radio is on...

The string quartet has been around for a LONG time. Is it time for a refresh? Members of the Videri String Quartet think so. They are a classically trained string quartet that performs the music of Zelda and Mario alongside Beethoven and Shostakovich. In this conversation they share their philosophy about music and connection, bringing conservatory training to the video game scene, and the massive...

Sometimes it seems there’s not much happening in the innovation of instruments. But in the world of electronics, there’s a whole world of creativity! Joe Newman is an arranger and performer out of the Bay area in California. In this conversation he describes an interesting innovation in wind instruments - the EWI, or Electronic Wind Instrument. We also discuss video game arranging competition Dwel...

Who were the top three most influential people in your early life? If you were in music, I bet at least one of those was your music teacher. In this episode I speak with Rachel, a high school choir teacher from Western Washington. We discuss the rewards and challenges of shaping young lives through music. She describes the unique camaraderie among choir members, her approach to selecting repertoir...

Video games make a big impact on people, especially kids… and the music from these games can leave a strong imprint as well! This episode I speak with Stemage, a guitarist, composer, performer, and audio engineer out of the Bay Area in California. He shares an overview of the video game music (VGM) scene, the events and festivals where people gather to share their creative covers or new material,...

Do you sing? If so, how aware are you about the shape of the different parts of your mouth? This episode I speak with Andrea Veal, a vocal performer and teacher out of Southeastern New Hampshire. We discuss 2 of the many techniques she uses in her studio: Estill, and complementary vowels from Ken Bozeman. Follow Andrea:  Website: https://www.andreaveal.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andre...

How does a college music department define music when it comes to their curriculum? How do they decide what they want students to know, leaving their program? And is the answer to that question, different from what students SHOULD know when leaving their program?  This week I'm speaking with Dr. Chris Gable, a composer, author, and music professor at the University of North Dakota in Grand For...

Sophie Lippert is a cellist and pianist in Western Massachusetts, and creator of the unique genre-inclusive Connections Concerts series. In this episode, we discuss how Sophie uses her classical background to elevate and expose works by underrepresented composers, while also balancing her roles as a teacher, event curator, and entrepreneur. We dive behind-the-scenes in crafting Connections Concert...

Sharisa Oie and Lydia McAnerney work with the Tapestry Folk Dance Center in Minneapolis, MN. We explore the center's mission to create opportunities for people to participate in diverse dance and music forms. Sharisa and Lydia share their personal stories and backgrounds in dance, as well as the history and development of Tapestry as both a cultural and physical space. We discuss the importanc...

Nate Cutshall is a “harp tech” from Central Pennsylvania. In this episode, Morgan and Nate talk about all things harmonicas! We dig into some of the music theory that goes into playing the instrument, and how to choose which key harmonica to play for a song. Nate shares the history and mechanics of the harmonica and what makes a “good” harmonica. We also delve into the world of harmonica repair an...

Brennish Thomson is a folk musician from Lee, New Hampshire. In this episode, Morgan and Brennish dig into the world of live sound engineering and acoustic transparency in folk music. We discuss the techniques and challenges of achieving “perfect” audio in various venues, from small living rooms to large festival stages. He shares his own innovations with microphone systems by Your Heaven Audio an...

Emily Cohen is a rabbi from Brooklyn, NY. In this episode we discuss the rich musical tradition in Judaism and how social justice-minded Jews like herself can use music in their work. Emily provides insight into her role as a rabbi at West End Synagogue, a reconstructionist congregation in Manhattan, and her extensive involvement in music, including her participation in a secular choir and her com...

Marlys Woods is a music therapist who specializes in mental health. She shares the therapeutic applications of music, its ability to facilitate healing, and a caution about how music can cause harm or cause us to stay stuck. We discuss the importance of intentional music selection for personal growth and mental health. She also highlights the adaptation of music therapy practices during the pandem...

Iain Dove McAfee and Cara Weggler Menge are members of the Irish trad band Dòrain. We explore 3 of the main Irish scenes (sessions, dances, and stage performances) and unique etiquette and cultural features of each. We discuss what participating in a living tradition is like, nuances in the scene (don't order a PBR!), common tune types, the Caeli tradition and the key role of dance in Irish mu...