Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

Megan Jerome is a really special musician with a wonderful creative voice. In this episode you’ll hear her perform some of the songs from her new up-coming album, which will be the seventh album of her original compositions. We also talk about her unique and inspiring teaching style, her experiences through some very difficult personal losses, some ways she has found healing and connection, and her song-writing process. Timestamps below. Every episode is available in video format: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/megan-jerome-e10-s2 Help me keep this podcast afloat! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman https://www.meganjerome.com/ Megan Jerome: "And the thing is, what I encourage people to do is, "Don't do the competitions. Don't do anything like that. You can set up a venue in your living room. You can set up a venue anywhere. There's room for everyone. There are so many potential venues. There are so many people who love music. There's so much room." That's one of the big thing, this idea that there's room for one person, this is a real fallacy. It's nothing like that. Artists are friends. We're not competing with each other. We're on the same side. But that's in my view. You know what I mean? Those are the people that work for me. A community really works. Who's your community? Go to their shows. They'll come to your show." photo credit: Allan Dean Photography Timestamps: (00:00:32) intro to song “Flora” (00:03:52) song-writing process (00:09:43) creating “Home Brew” (00:12:00) song “Home Brew” (00:16:28) childhood and family (00:18:10) learning piano, accordion (00:24:01) The Together Ensemble, husband Mike Essoudry (00:27:33) Julia Cameron “The Artist Way”, Sonia Choquette, home life (00:29:52) Megan’s way of practicing (00:31:13) Teaching (00:36:06) teaching improvisation and encouraging creativity (00:40:57) teaching online strategies (00:46:33) New Orleans and dealing with grief (01:04:37) why did she study mining engineering? (01:09:11) advice for singer-songwriters

In this short bonus episode, you'll hear clips from the conversation I had with the amazing award-winning singer, song-writer and motivational speaker, Kellylee Evans. You'll also hear short clips from the performance she gave of "Feelin' Good", one of the most-requested songs in her repertoire, by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. For the complete episode in both video and podcast format, as well as the complete transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/kellylee-evans-transcript-podcast-and-video-e4-s2 For everything Kellylee Evans: https://kellyleeevans.com Please buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! I'm an independant podcaster who does all the many jobs and I bear a lot of costs as well. I'd love to keep this series going! photo credit: Phantom Productions

This short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series has clips from E4 S1 with erhu player, educator, and author Patty Chan. The links for both video and podcast versions of the original conversation as well as the complete transcript, are on my podcast website: http://leahroseman.com/blog/e4-s1-patty-chan-transcript-links-for-podcast-and-video photo credit: SG Won Patty Chan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHGmYuiO7Wx-OMpmDgn9_A Please help me keep this podcast afloat! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

In this conversation with the really inspiring cellist, Rachel Mercer, we discuss the arc of her career so far as a chamber musician, soloist, principal cellist, the late Yehonatan Berick, an amazing violinist and pedagogue, who was her life partner, "Our Strength, Our Song" with her sister, the wonderful violinist Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner and many other chamber music collaborations and unique projects, as well as her way of approaching music. Rachel very generously made a special recording of the Prelude from J.S. Bach's fifth solo suite in C minor BWV 1011, and her heartfelt introduction to the power of this music is right after our conversation, so please keep listening till the end! There are timestamps below, and the Bach with her introduction is also a separate bonus episode. The video version of this episode is here, linked on my website with the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s2-rachel-mercer To learn more about Rachel, her recordings and current projects: http://www.rachelmercercellist.com/ Help me with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman This podcast costs me a lot of time and money, and I could really use the help and encouragement. Thanks! Photo credit: David Leyes (00:00) Introduction (02:24) Bonjour Strad and other cellos through Canada Council (06:19) Baroque performance practice influences and Anner Bylsma (11:41) Vriendenkrans competition and playing in the Concertgebouw (13:44) debut solo record “Room” (15:13) Ernst Reijseger (16:10) Rachel’s studies with different teachers including Shauna Rolston, Laurence Lesser,Dmitri Ferschtman (21:10) Aviv Quartet, experiences in South Africa and Israel (24:49) Yehonatan Berick (28:38) the influences of many different teachers (30:13) Ilona Feher, Yehonatan’s teacher (31:34) Rachel’s obaasan and the experience of Japanese Canadian families internment during the Second World War (34:18) Rachel’s sister violinist Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner (36:05) Return to Canada and a career as a chamber musician (37:59) “Mosaïque Project” with Ensemble Made in Canada (40:18) Playing orchestral auditions (43:58) Pre-concert routine and mindfulness (46:22) Dream journals and realizing projects (47:34) album “Our Strength, Our Song” with sister Akemi Mercer-Niewöhner (50:06) Rachel’s way of practicing and learning music (55:08) Advice and inspiration from the younger generations of musicians (57:10) Rachel’s introduction to the Bach (59:03) Prelude from J.S. Bach’s fifth solo suite in C minor BWV 1011

At the end of E9 S2, my conversation with the incredible cellist Rachel Mercer, you will find Rachel's heartfelt introduction to this inspiring performance which she made for this podcast. I have added it here as a special bonus episode in case listeners wish to listen to it again without having to scroll through the interview. For those listeners who have discovered this recording separately from the interview, I invite you to listen to Rachel's perspectives on her life and career. You can find both the video version here: https://leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s2-rachel-mercer To learn more about Rachel and her recordings, including solo Bach, and many projects: http://www.rachelmercercellist.com/ Help this podcast with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman I'm an independant podcaster who could really use the help and encouragement! photo credit: David Leyes

I have re-released this in video format for those who follow this podcast on Spotify! Here’s my very first interview of this podcast, recorded May 27, 2021 over Zoom, I spoke with Kirsty Money about her nyckelharpa journey and she demonstrates this beautiful instrument for us, as well as shares some charming stories about how she learned about the nyckelharpa. She plays some Bach, a traditional Swedish tune, and one of her own compositions, The Grind Polska. As a separate bonus, at the end of this video you can hear our improv together. If you're not on Spotify, the video is available on my YouTube, and is linked on my website along with the podcast format: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e1s1kirstymoney For Kirsty's new album, released 2022: https://kirstymoney.bandcamp.com/releases For those of you who want to study or learn more about Kirsty: https://kirstymoney.ca/ Here’s her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuDe... Buy me a coffee? Check out my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! photo credit: Hamish Gordon

This is a short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series, from E3 S2 with guest Sophie Lukacs, the kora player, singer and songwriter. You'll hear a short clip of her performance of a traditional tune "Jula Jegere", you'll hear her explain about the kora a bit, and then you'll hear her talk about her unique personal journey, leaving medical school to go live in Mali and immerse herself in the culture and master the kora. Finally, you'll hear a clip of her original song, "Falling". Links to the full episode in both video and podcast format along with the full transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e3s2sophielukacs To learn more about Sophie and her current projects: https://www.sophielukacs.com/ Help me with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! photo credit: Christina Alonso

In this short bonus episode, violinist and Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Canada Yosuke Kawasaki gives wonderful advice for musicians playing orchestral auditions, which I think applies to everyone in their lives about being aware of our strengths. Also in this short episode, he tells us about some of his memorable experiences studying with the legendary Doronthy Delay. The full episode is available in both podcast and video formats, along with the full transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/e3-s1-transcript-yosuke-kawasaki Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! photo credit: Rémi Thériault

I was really honoured to have this opportunity to sit down and talk with the dynamic conductor, composer, multi-instrumentalist and radio host of CBC's CentreStage, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. We explored many interesting and important ideas around creating spaces for diverse audiences, amateur versus professional musicians, LGBTQ rights, his project with the drag queen Thorgy Thor, the lost music of Florence Price, and wonderful advice not only for conductors, but for everyone seeking more balance and meaning in their lives. Daniel currently holds positions with the San Francisco Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, and the National Arts Centre Canada. The video version is here, also linked to the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e8-s2-daniel-bartholomew-poyser His current projects can be found here: https://www.danielbartholomewpoyser.com/bio Buy me a coffee? Check out my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser: "Your specific nerdy interests, I believe will be of use and value to the orchestras of the communities that you serve. That would be one thing. For conductors, I would say study languages. If I were to give practical advice, I'm just going to scatter shot a bunch of practical advice. Learning languages is important, not just because of the ability to read scores or read books of languages, but just be able to think in a different way and to have a breadth of knowledge that's like not a triangle, but a pyramid. I think that's really important for a conductor. I think as a conductor, it's really important to listen and I mean, listen, capital L, not just listen to music, but listen to people, because ultimately what a conductor needs to be able to do the best is listen. Listen to what the orchestra's playing, listen to what your players are saying in committee meetings, listen to what the marketing people are saying, listening to what your community is saying, your community stakeholders, listening to what the board is saying, listening to what the donors are saying, taking all of this in, holding it, ruminating with it, looking at it from different facets, and being able to hold everything that is in orchestra and being an art leader in a community and observe it and being able to have it affect you. And then also having enough of a grounded center of other things, like airline marketing and car design, to be able to put it over here and come back to it. But being able to listen and take things in is ultimately the job of a conductor, being able to listen under pressure and take things in. And you can do that anywhere, at any time, really focusing your listening, whether it's people speaking to you or the composer speaking or the orchestra.” Photo Credit: Benjamin Delarivière

In this Inspiring Excerpts short bonus episode you'll hear violinist, educator and entrepreneur Lynn Kuo talk about dealing with her playing injuries while writing her DMA thesis at University of Toronto while working as the Assistant Concertmaster of the National Ballet Orchestra, some lessons learned from Lorand Fenyves, and her perspectives on new opportunities for Classical musicians online. The full episode, both podcast and video with transcript is here: https://www.leahroseman.com/blog/e2-s2-lynn-kuo https://lynnkuo.com/ Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for helping me - I"m an independant podcaster who does all the things!

This is a short bonus episode in my Inspiring Excerpts series, with violinist and vocalist Carissa Klopoushak who is a member of National Arts Centre Orchestra and Ironwood Quartet, and the Artistic Director of Ottawa Chamberfest and Co-director of both Ritornello Chamber Music Festival and Classical Unbound Festival . In this short video we are treated to Carissa's singing and violin playing, around our discussion of her Ukrainian roots. All these podcast epsiodes are available in video format, the link for the full epsidoe with Carissa is here, both video and podcast: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e2-s1-carissa-klopoushak Please help me keep this podcast going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks - Leah photo credit: Bo Huang

This interview really had to be a longer one because Josh just does so much creatively, and I had so much I wanted to ask him about! We start with his remix of Curried Soul for CBC radio's daily show As It Happens, and circle around to topics (timestamped below) including: sampling, Yiddish culture, changes in the industry from when he got his start selling CDs mail-order to touring internationally and collaborating with many musicians, including the funk legend Fred Wesley, David Krakauer, Kiran Ahulwalia, Itzhak Perlman, Theodore Bikel, writing musical theatre, puppets, art...here's a chance for all of us to get to know the creative force known as Josh "Socalled" Dolgin. (if you're wondering about his stage name, you should watch the NFB movie https://www.nfb.ca/film/socalled_movie/ ) J https://www.socalledmusic.com/To watch the Seasons puppet musicals (mentioned in the conversation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOjCTYWNwa4 All of these episodes are available in video format as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e6-s2-josh-socalled-dolgin Help me with a tip? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! (00:00) Intro (1:16) Curried Soul remix and Moe Koffman (5:44) Sampling, hip hop (13:37) The Socalled Seder album and changes in the industry (17:46) Di Frosh show Yiddish songs with string quartet (19:45) Kurt Weill (21:26) old Yiddish song archives, Yiddish Book Center (32:55) Tales from Odessa (43:29) The Seasons Puppet musicals (46:38) Learning Music (51:13) Fred Wesley (1:01) Perspectives on his career (1:06) Yiddish Culture Cruise and Yiddish Revival (1:17:20) Josh’s amazing drawings (1:23) Itzhak Perlman (1:26:40) Theodore Bikel

In this short bonus episode you'll hear short clips from my conversation with jazz violinist and vocalist Eva Slongo. She lets us listen in a little to her creative process, and she speaks about her journey from being a classical violinist to the world of jazz, and learning to be an improvisor. If you enjoyed this, please have a listen to the complete episode, linked here both podcast and video: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e1s1evaslongo https://www.evaslongo.com/en/jazz-violin/ Buy me a coffee? Please check out my Ko-fi page: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

Nyckelharpa player Kirsty Money introduces us to this beautiful instrument in this short bonus episode . She also performs one of her original tunes, The Grind Polska. This is compiled from excerpts from the original episode, which is also in video format, available here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e1s1kirstymoney For more about Kirsty and her current projects: http://kirstymoney.ca/about/ Please help me keep this podcast going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman If you enjoyed this, please listen to the full episode and share this so more listeners can find out about this podcast and video series, with a really interesting mix of musicians, talking about their lives and careers, with perspectives on overcoming challenges, and finding inspiration and connection through a life so enriched by music.

I spoke with the renowned bassoon player Christopher Millard about many topics, including many fascinating insights into the orchestra profession, the physics of sound production on both the bassoon and violin, great advice on how best to practice music, the legendary flutist Marcel Moyse and much more. Timestamps listed below! Like all my episodes, this is also a video, linked here on my website to the transcript as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e5s1christophermillard Please consider leaving me a tip! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Timestamps: (00:00) Intro and Chris' Podcasts (04:14) Advice for music students (10:19) CBC radio orchestra (13:03) Making reeds (17:20) Physics of sound production on bassoon and violin (27:44) Woodwind mechanisms and repair (30:19) All thumbs: special bassoon challenges (32:01) Advantages of studying jazz (37:19) Musicians' difficulty with retiring (39:35) Conductors (also see below about World Orchestra for Peace with Gergiev) (42:35) National Youth Orchestra (44:48) Marcel Moyse: legendary Flute teacher and mentor (55:33) World Orchestra for Peace with Gergiev (59:19) The Neuroscience of practicing music better! https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/christopher-millard https://councilofcanadianbassoonists.ca/project/reed-making-by-christopher-millard-introduction-and-chapter-1-the-craftsman/ You can follow this podcast on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor, Pocket Casts

In this episode we hear the incredible award-winning singer Kellylee Evans talk about her life and some of the challenges she has faced in her life, including two near-death experiences. She talks about her upbringing, her journey to jazz, her creative process, and much more. She is such a wonderfully engaging person, and I hope this episode will help listeners feel inspired by her story. We talk about her new album Greenlight and many of her other projects. Near the end of the episode at 43:00 we are gifted with an incredible a capella performance of one of the most-requested songs in her repertoire, Feelin' Good by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse. All her current projects are here: http://www.kellyleeevans.com/ Like all my episodes, this is also a video, linked here to the transcript and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e4s2kellyleeevans Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much! Kellylee Evans: “And then I was interested at that time in minority rights and representation and in legal philosophy. And so I was doing my masters of arts in law. My parents, their hope I think would've been just like most immigrant parents a lawyer, doctor, engineer. And I tried to... I wasn't trying that hard though to really be a lawyer. I really was hiding in school. My goal was to just keep my head down and stay here as long as possible. Because school is awesome, and if you figured out the path, if you know what to do, you attend, you finish the assignments, you hand them in. You do the reading, you get a mark, everybody's happy. That's something that's very doable, I think if you can just follow the script. But real life outside of school is scary. And the music industry, what's the path?” This interview series follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music? The format is in-depth conversations prepared with lots of research and many episodes also feature the guests playing music. I speak to musicians playing in different styles of music, different instruments, and with really different careers. In Season One, I spoke with quite famous soloists like violinists James Ehnes and Kerson Leong, and also with erhu player Patty Chan and composers Hooshyar Khayam and Roddy Ellias about creativity, carnatic violinist Subhadra Vijaykumar about the Indianisation of the violin, violinist Alicia Svigals about the Klezmer revival, trumpet player Karen Donnelly about women in the brass world, and so much more, with 20 full episodes, and many bonus episodes. Season 2 has a similar diversity of guests, with many topics covered including personal struggles, the entrepreneurial aspects of the music business, advice on how to practice and how better to tap into creativity. Please follow and stay notified of all the new episodes! Photo credit: Phantom Productions

Hi! I’m a violinist and my podcast Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music?In my interview with the kora player, singer and violinist Sophie Lukacs we hear her very unique and personal story and also learn about this beautiful instrument. She plays a traditional tune for us and also a couple of her original songs from her new album. To find out more about her recent projects, albums, teaching and more: https://www.sophielukacs.com/ Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and the transcript and bonus episodes are here as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e3s2sophielukacs Buy me a coffee? I'm an independant podcast and could really use the help and encouragement! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! The format for this podcast is in-depth conversations prepared with lots of research and many episodes also feature the guests playing music. I speak to musicians playing in different styles of music, different instruments, and with really different careers. photo credit: Christina Alonso Please share and follow to be notified of new episodes! cAWUrso472w3xDMoikPv

Hi! I’m a violinist and my podcast Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music? The format is in-depth conversations prepared with lots of research and many episodes also feature the guests playing music. I speak to musicians playing in different styles of music, different instruments, and with really different careers. In Season One, I spoke with quite famous soloists like violinists James Ehnes and Kerson Leong, and also with erhu player Patty Chan and composers Hooshyar Khayam and Roddy Ellias about creativity, carnatic violinist Subhadra Vijaykumar about the Indianisation of the violin, violinist Alicia Svigals about the Klezmer revival, trumpet player Karen Donnelly about women in the brass world, and so much more, with 20 full episodes, and many bonus episodes. Season 2 has a similar diversity of guests, with many topics covered including personal struggles, the entrepreneurial aspects of the music business, advice on how to practice and how better to tap into creativity. You can follow this podcast on Spotify, Google Play, Apple Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker, Anchor, Pocket Casts and also watch the video format on my YouTube, which is in the process of being made more accessible with English captions.

In Episode 2, Season 2 of "Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman" I speak with the wonderful violinist and educator Lynn Kuo. In this wide-ranging discussion we covered a lot of topics, some of which include: injury prevention, performance anxiety, lessons learned and advice for musicians in a post-pandemic world. To follow Lynn or get in touch with her about her current courses and workshops: https://lynnkuo.com/ The full transcript and video format for this episode are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e2s2lynnkuo https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman photo credit: Dave Howells

I speak with the wonderful Swiss-French Jazz violinist, singer, and pedagogue Eva Slongo. She kindly shared some of her playing with us during the Zoom call. During the conversation we talk about her background as a classical violinist, her journey into jazz and we touch on many topics including playing injuries, her studies at Le Centre des Musique Didier Lockwood, and some of the challenges faced by women in jazz. For her albums, jazz courses and more: https://www.evaslongo.com This series is available in video, and this episode is linked here with bonuses: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e1s1evaslongo Help me keep this going? You can leave a tip here: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman photo credit: Natali Voitkevich

Theo Marks is a luthier and cellist, and in this episode you'll hear about his unique upbringing in a family of musicians, and his personal journey to become a violin-family maker. This was recorded when luthier Theo Marks was still living outside of Amsterdam. He now lives in Wakefield Quebec and if you're interested in purchasing one of his violins, violas or cellos you can contact him through his website: http://www.theomarks.com/ The beautiful documentary about his brother Paolo Marks, a fellow luthier in West Virginia, is found here: ( In it he demonstrates all the steps of building a violin) https://video.wvpublic.org/video/make... Like all my episodes, this is also a video, with shorter bonus episodes here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e7-s1-theo-marks-luthier Buy me a coffee? (and get access to unique perks) https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

In the 20th and final episode of Season 1 I speak with Arna Einarsdóttir who was at the time the Managing Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada. In 2022 she accepted a new appointment with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden as their Director of Planning. Previously she was the Managing Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Earlier in her career she worked as a flutist, playing with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra from 2000-2004. In this wide-ranging conversation, Arna's warmth and engagement really come through. It is really interesting to hear her perspectives due to her involvement with the orchestral world in very different roles. Like all my episodes, this is also a video: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e20-s1-arna-einarsdttir Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! photo credit: Hilmar Hilmarsson

In Episode 19 Season 1, I was delighted to welcome the inspiring musician Hooshyar Khayam to my home, to improvise and speak about his perspectives on improvisation, the music of Central Asia, the Middle East and Western Classical music. We speak about some of his beautiful recordings in his large discography, and his creative process. He also speaks about his role as founder and producer of Tehran Records. http://hooshyar-khayam.com/site/ I include one of the improvisations we played as a bonus episode; unfortunately there were some technical issues recording some of the other improvisations we played together. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, linked to bonus episodes as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e19-s1-hooshyar-khayam-pianist-composer-improvisor-producer Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman I'm an independant podcaster and this series costs me a lot. I appreciate your encouragement!

I really enjoyed my conversation with the inspiring multi-style violinist Gina Burgess. During the episode she plays a couple of her original tunes, and at the end we did an improv back-and-forth across our Zoom call. The video and transcript, and Catch-Up episode, are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e18-s1-gina-burgess-multi-style-violinist Timestamps are below. Please help me keep this podcast going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Gina is a founding member of the Iqaluit-based Arctic rock band The Jerry Cans, is a four-time ECMA award winner with the gypsy-jazz outfit Gypsophilia, she fronts her own klezmer band Der Heisser, is is a regular collaborator in flamenco and Arabic music ensembles. Gina has toured Europe twice over with Tim Crabtree’s atmospheric ensemble; Paper Beat Scissors, and with folk-pop artist Gabrielle Papillon. Along with The Jerry Cans, Gina has performed and conducted youth workshops in Canada, Australia, Greenland, New Zealand, and Europe. https://www.ginaburgessmusic.com/ Instagram @ginaburgess.violin Facebook Gina Burgess Music (00:00) Intro (01:27) Green Grass (04:24) pandemic lockdowns, importance of playing for live audience (05:54) Gina’s start in music as a classical violinist (07:59) dealing with injury, playing different styles (11:27) dealing with touring (13:32) music workshops, first trip to Iqualuit, founding the Jerry Cans (17:59) practicing violin in different ways (22:02) teaching music in schools and online, improvisation games (27:47) early experiences as a performing improvisor, learning to enjoy the process (33:52) touring with the Jerry Cans and Gypsophilia, dealing with playing the same music (35:06) Gina’s performance of her song “For D” (39:07) putting together solo album ISNOW (44:41) working with effects pedals and using a looper (46:59) creative process (48:14) duo improv with Leah and Gina photo credit: Jennifer Lane, One Right Lane Photography

I speak with the innovative cellist, improvisor and composer Peggy Lee, who is a band-leader and sought-after collaborator in Vancouver, Canada. Peggy collaborates frequently with  Ron Samworth and Tony Wilson  and with her husband, drummer Dylan van der Schyff, as well as with many other longtime musical associates including Dave Douglas, Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, Veda Hille and Lisa Miller. She also leads or co-leads a number of musical projects: The Peggy Lee Band, Film in Music, Waxwing (with Tony Wilson and Jon Bentley) and Beautiful Tool (with Mary Margaret O’Hara).    She has also collaborated extensively in theatre and dance with companies and artists such as Ruby Slippers, Rumble Theatre, Presentation House, David Hudgins, Peter Bingham and Delia Brett.   In 2005, Peggy received the Freddie Stone Award for integrity and innovation in music and in 2010 she was awarded a Jesse Richardson Theatre Award for outstanding composition.    http://www.peggylee.net/about-peggy.html  The original video versions of this series are here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z As a bonus episode, you can hear me play a free improvisation with her.  photo credit: Rita Taylor

I was honoured to speak with one of the world's foremost Klezmer musicians. Alicia Svigals was a founding member of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics, she also played a major role in the revival of klezmer fiddling, which had been on the brink of extinction until she recorded her debut album Fidl in the 1990’s. Alicia is so engaging both as a player and conversationalist, and she's full of stories from her life and career. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, with bonus episodes linked as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e15-s1-alicia-svigals-klezmer-violinist-and-composer Buy me a coffee? This series could use your help: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Below are links to some of the projects we discuss in the interview, as well as the link to her website, where you can find current performances and other projects: https://aliciasvigals.com/home Beregovski Suite album - https://uligeissendoerfer.bandcamp.com/album/beregovski-suite The Ancient Law DVD - https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Law-Alte-Gesetz-Blu-ray/dp/B07BC6JZ64 City Without Jews DVD. https://www.amazon.com/City-Without-Flicker-Alley-Blu-ray/dp/B089774K24 Beregovski sheet music: https://www.amazon.com/Old-Jewish-Folk-Music-Collections/dp/0815628684 Photo credit: Thierry Arsenault

Subhadra loves to teach people about the Indianisation of the violin, and in this conversation we get to hear her beautiful playing quite a bit, as she plays and demonstrates some of the guiding principles of the Carnatic style. She teaches both online and in her studio in Mississauga (in the Greater Toronto Area) Canada. Like all my episodes, this is also a video: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e14-s1-subhadra-vijaykumar-carnatic-violinist-and-educator To study or perform with Subhadra, and for more information about her: https://www.rcmusic.com/bios/subhadra-vijaykumar Radha Academy of Carnatic Violin | Facebook Buy me a coffee? Check out my Ko-fi page to leave me a tip and find out about perks: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! I'm an independant podcaster who could really use your encouragement.

In this wide-ranging conversation with Ellen Waterman we discuss her career and perspectives, both as a creative improvisor with flute and voice, and as a scholar. At the end treats us to a solo improv. She was appointed to the inaugural Helmut Kallmann Chair for Music in Canada at Carleton University in 2019 where she is developing a research program committed to investigating issues of diversity and decolonization of music in Canada through scholarship, research creation, and experiential learning. Video and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e13-s1-ellen-waterman-flutist-scholar-improvisor http://www.ellenwaterman.ca/ https://carleton.ca/music/people/ellen-waterman/ Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman This was recorded July 21, 2021 via Zoom Photo credit: Michael Waterman

I had lots of fun trying a creative improvisation with Ellen Waterman. This video is a bonus connected with our conversation, Episode 13 Season 1 Because of this style of improv, we were able to play at the same time, but unfortunately Zoom sometimes silenced a quieter voice. The complete episode, both video and podcast: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e13-s1-ellen-waterman-flutist-scholar-improvisor http://www.ellenwaterman.ca/ Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! This was recorded July 21, 2021 over Zoom.

Jazz guitarist and composer Roddy Ellias talks to me about his creative process, artistic development, some current and past projects, reflections on the pandemic and more. In a separate bonus to this episode, we play an improvisation. On my podcast website you'll find the link to the video, bonuses, and the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e12-s1-roddy-ellias-guitarist-and-composer Roddy's recordings, performances and teaching studio are linked on his website here: https://www.roddyellias.com/ Peggy White guitars: https://www.peggywhite.ca/ I need help to keep this going! Please take a look at my Ko-fi to leave me a tip: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Photo credit: Evan Shaw Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:05) These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (06:20) Peggy White guitar (09:32) classical and jazz worlds (11:13) Roddy’s early development as a musician, playing with Lew Kirton, The Sceptres, touring the States (17:27) Le Hibou coffehouse Lenny Breau and other legends (19:45) Teaching composition and jazz (22:37) martial arts and music, getting into the zone (27:48) performing on Syncspace Live (30:37) Sleeping Rough puppet opera and composition process

Hi! I’m a violinist and my podcast Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music?James Ehnes is known internationally as one of the foremost violin soloists. He’s a GRAMMY winner who’s created over 60 acclaimed albums. I was honoured to speak at length with James Ehnes about his career, collaborations, current projects, and his approach with practice and preparation for concerts. Timestamps are below. The video version is linked here, with transcript and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e11-s1-james-ehnes Please follow the podcast and be notified of all the new episodes. I could really use some help and encouragement! Please leave me a tip here: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:38) 2021 recordings Ysaye, Bach, Beethoven quartets (09:40) Ehnes String Quartet history (14:00) Seattle Chamber Music Society (19:40) solo Bach, different recording and performances (29:35) pacing yourself, importance of run-throughs (31:20) Paganini (34:50) repertoire choices, getting pigeon-holed as a performer (38:10) childhood in Brandon, Francis Chaplin, Sally Thomas, Meadowmount, Donald Henry (45:25) learning process, pace of preparation, rotation of repertoire (52:20) advice for music students (54:55) Intonation (59:30) Bramwell Tovey (01:04:05) Andrew Armstrong photo credit: Benjamin Ealovega

I really enjoyed this conversation with the wonderful violinist Aaron Schwebel who spoke with a lot of insight about so many interesting and important topics (timestamps are listed below). Aaron currently holds the positions of Concertmaster with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and Associate Concertmaster with the Canadian Opera Company. Schwebel is a member of the LARK ensemble and Rosebud String Quartet, and is founder/artistic director of Echo Chamber Toronto, a series that merges chamber music and contemporary dance. We talk about his many and varied experiences, in terms of his development and his career. In separate bonus episodes you can hear him play some solo Bach, and we also do a little improv back and forth across the Zoom platform. The video version is linked here, with the transcript and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e10-s1-aaron-schwebel-violinist Would you consider leaving me a tip? This podcast needs help and encouragement! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! https://www.aaronschwebelviolin.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro and some of Aaron’s projects (02:53) love of string quartet playing, London Quartet Competition (10:53) effects of the pandemic shutdowns (13:59) Aaron’s way of practicing (15:13) role as Concertmaster (17:55) singing lessons (18:41) Muay Thai classes (20:00) musicians' lives: balancing work, social life (21:01) pandemic experience affecting priorities (24:44) amateur and professional musicians (27:24) summer music festivals Domaine Forget, NYO (29:43) keeping performances fresh, Nutcracker ballet (31:15) McGill University music program and Indiana University Bloomington Music (33:23) teaching photo credit: Bo Huang

Karen Donnelly is the Principal Trumpet player of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, and a well-known educator. In this episode, we get to hear Karen's beautiful playing, and I talk to her about her background, her work with the Canadian Women's Brass Collective , some of her unique outreach work and her resilient practice routine! There's also a bonus episode in this playlist on this channel in which you can hear us do a free improvisation. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and you'll find the bonus episodes linked here as well as the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s1-karen-donnelly-trumpet-player https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for checking out my Ko-fi support page - I'm an indenpendant podcaster and this series costs me a lot of time and money. I appreciate any help you can offer - and monthly supporters get access to unique perks! https://canadianwomensbrasscollective...Here's Karen in a fanfare she wrote: https://youtu.be/srJjP1VHNjg https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/karen-donnelly https://arts.uottawa.ca/music/people/... Photo credit: Fred Cattroll

Free improvisation was very new to both of us when we recorded this, but we had fun with this little back-and-forth across Zoom. This is a bonus episode connected to my fascinating interview with Karen, Episode 9 Season 1. All the links are here, video version, full episode, bonuses and links to Karen : https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s1-karen-donnelly-trumpet-player https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for helping me keep this podcast going! photo credit: Fred Cattroll

I was thrilled to have this fascinating conversastion with virtuoso violinist Kerson Leong, who is as eloquent in his musicality as in the way he talks about music and violin playing. I trust that a broad audience will take inspiration from this wide-ranging discussion. At the beginning, we are treated to an impromptu performance of Ysayë's Allemande from Violin Sonata no. 4. This conversation was recorded June 15, 2021 over Zoom. Kerson has many upcoming performances, all of which can be found on his website here: https://kersonleong.com/ Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and you'll find the transcript linked here as well as bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e8-s1-kerson-leong-violinist Buy me a coffee? I need your help to keep this series going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

After my conversation with Alexis Chartrand, during which we are treated to 3 of his poetic interpretations of traditional tunes, he agreed to do a little improvisation with me. The full episode, both video and podcast with bonuses and transcript linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e5-s1-alexis-chartrand-fiddler Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

In this conversation with Patty Chan, erhu player and educator, we get to hear the sounds of many different types of erhus and learn a lot about traditional Chinese music. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and the bonus episodes and transcript are all linked: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e4-s1-patty-chan-erhu https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for helping me keep this unique series going! Centre for Music Innovations: https://musinno.com; Toronto Chinese Orchestra: www.TorontoChineseOrchestra.com; YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHG...XMA Header Image Centre for Music Innovations – Curating and exploring contemporary works for Chinese instruments and orchestras musinno.com photo credit: SG Won

Here's a little back-and-forth improv I did with erhu player Patty Chan! The full episode, both video and podcast, linked here with bonus episodes as well as the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e4-s1-patty-chan-erhu https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for your support of this unique podcast!

I speak with Yosuke Kawasaki, the wonderful Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada (of which I am a member). He talks about the challenges of staying grounded during this pandemic, his experiences studying with Dorothy Delay at both Julliard and Aspen festival, the inspriation he found in many of his peers growing up, and the conversation circles around to his role as concertmaster, and advice for young colleagues playing auditions. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and the transcript and bonus episodes are also here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e3-s1-yosuke-kawasaki Buy me a coffee? I could really use your help and encouragement to keep this unique podcast going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Below is a link to Yosuke's chamber music festival in Japan, about which he speaks during our conversation. The site is in Japanese but an English one should follow shortly. https://www.affinis.or.jp/summer_j/in... https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/yosuke-kawa... photo credit: Rémi Thériault

In Episode 2 of Conversations with Musicians, I speak with the versatile violinist, singer, and Artistic Director Carissa Klopoushak. She shares some of her musical journey with us, and we have a wide-ranging conversation that also includes some beautiful music. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and this link will bring you to the transcript and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e2-s1-carissa-klopoushak Buy me a coffee? I need your help to keep this podcast going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Links to Carissa's band and other projects are on her website: http://www.carissaklopoushak.com/Ironwood String Quartet's recent performance (Beethoven, Montgomery, Danish String Quartet arrangements): https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/27905 Her band: Tyt i Tam Sama Piu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO3-u... A clip from the MacKay Concert Series recital (with Alexandru Sura and Thibault Bertin-Maghit) Tykha Voda (Ukr. folk song) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcYle... Carissa is the Artistic Director of: https://www.chamberfest.com/about/ Photography: bohuang.ca Hair and Makeup: Ivy Lam Styled & Coordinated by LIZPR

It's hard to make music over Zoom, but one way to do it is this kind of back-and-forth improvisation. This was done right after Episode 1 was recorded. This music was totally unplanned and spontaneous! Link for the complete episode podcast and video here, with transcript and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e1s1kirstymoney Buy me a coffee? I need your help to keep this unique podcast going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! photo credits: Hamish Gordon for Kirsty and Curtis Perry for Leah