Adrian Gordon is an internationally performed composer and seasoned music educator. He is the author of the book Note to Self; A Music Director’s Guide for Transitioning to a New School and Building a Thriving Music Program. Adrian wrote Note to Self because though his undergraduate and graduate programs were musically and pedagogically extensive, he…

Recently I’ve started sharing little short stories and advice and ideas. I think they might be enjoyable, and I hope they might be helpful!  This week: It’s a New Year! What does that mean for Crushing Classical? Or: What it feels like to start a new thing and why you should too. Make sure you…

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to have a career as an internationally touring soloist?  Have you wondered if it is too late for YOU to create such a career? You will love hearing from my guest today,  Mary Elizabeth Bowden: International Trumpet Soloist  Classical Trumpeter Mary Elizabeth Bowden has built an in-demand…

Recently I’ve started sharing little short stories and advices and ideas on social media each week. I think they might be enjoyable, and I hope they might be helpful!  This week: What does it mean to be a leader in the orchestra? What does it mean in life? Curious about The Invincible Oboist?  Make sure you…

Improvisation can feel frightening to classical musicians, but my guest, Laura Nerenberg, is working to normalize it as a pedagogical tool.  She uses it with her own Suzuki violin students, and also teaches teachers how to incorporate it in their own studios. She’s brilliant and I know you will love hearing her speak about this!…

David Krauss is the prodigious host of Speaking Soundly, Co-Founder of ANM (Artful Narratives Media), and Principal Trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. As a soloist, he has performed with the All-Star Orchestra on their Emmy Award-winning PBS broadcast and was praised by the American Record Guide for his “singing tone, which is luxurious and…

“Sometimes, the cheapest way to pay is with money.”  I did not originate this quote, and a quick google does not illuminate it- but I USE this quote all the time, and talk about it in my business mastermind group and in my life FREQUENTLY. I wonder if it might be useful to you today,…

My conversation with Eunbi Kim was absolutely fascinating. We talked about mentorship and motherhood and artistry, all of which feel so closely related. There’s a myth out there about the self-centeredness of artists, about a certain kind of creator who reserves all of their best energy for their MUSIC, letting personal relationships fall by the…

Recently I’ve started sharing little short stories and advices and ideas on social media each week. I think they might be enjoyable, and I hope they might be helpful!  This week: What do gloves, oboe reeds, and your own pet peeves have in common?  Answer: The more clearly you identify the problem, the easier it…

Happy Thanksgiving 2022 to my listeners in the US! I am grateful for you. On today’s episode you’ll hear my interview with my brother, singer songwriter James Hearne, who recently sold his house and left his job and moved across the country to go all in on his music career as an adult. This interview…

Award winning pianist Donna Weng Friedman enjoys a varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator, curator, producer and app developer.   Her album Heritage and Harmony: Silver Linings, featuring exclusively AAPI/BIPOC artists, aims to promote understanding and tolerance and combat racism, with all proceeds donated to an organization that supports the AAPI community and fights…

Recently I’ve started sharing little short stories and advices and ideas on social media each week. I think they might be enjoyable, and I hope they might be helpful!  This week: What do running, the oboe, and online business have in common?  Answer: They’re all easier if you allow them to be!  Make sure you…

Bill Lueth is a San Francisco Radio Hall of Fame inductee and currently the president of KDFC and vice president of USC Radio Group. During his 30 year career in both public and commercial radio, Bill has left a meaningful impact on the classical music community.  We talk about  – How his passion for classical…

em2CONNECT is Emily Martin and Elizabeth McDonald. As ideators and performers, the two have sung and taught all over the world as solo opera singers and as members of the performing trio, Women on the Verge (WOV) — an international group of women dedicated to advocating for women- centered stories. em2CONNECT is also a small…

Today you’ll hear my interview with Deb Stevenson: Oboist, teacher, musician contractor, and founding member of Rendezvous Arts.  The organization she created hosts events that offer  something for EVERYONE and is a triumph of win win for musicians, visual artists, and audiences alike.  Deb has had a career in music for 35 years. She has seen…

Daisy Press was raised on the buses, planes, hotels, and stages of a large-scale international rock ’n’ roll tour, on which both her parents performed for over 40 years. Since then, she has become a ferocious and ardent interpreter and creator of experimental classical (and non-classical) music in the United States and Europe.  In the modern…

Reach out to me to schedule a quick deep dive conversation so I can keep this podcast relevant!  Ellen is a Professional Certified Coach, who has coached everyone from CEOs of multimillion dollar companies, to world renowned singers, to healthcare workers, to aspiring business owners — but what unites them all is their thought leadership and…

Reach out to me to schedule a quick deep dive conversation so I can keep this podcast relevant!  Dr. Heidi Kay Begay is a self-employed flutist, educator, podcaster, and non-profit organizer. Heidi is the creator and host of the Flute 360 podcast, which delivers educational content (to the modern-day flutist) through various platforms. Since 2018, the…

Asher began classical violin training at the tender age of 2 and had already performed with the Buffalo philharmonic by age 13.  Asher’s expertise in improvisation across multiple genres has led him to a career as a soloist in demand, performing at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Hammerstein Hall, Lincoln Center, the Carnegie Hall…

Ashley Ertz is an oboist and arts administrator in the Chicago metropolitan area. Ertz is the Artistic Director and Founder of 5th Wave Collective and the Program Manager with the International Music Foundation. She also recently won the position of English Horn with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and is on the Board of Directors for…

Lisa Canning owns Lisa’s Clarinet Shop- a 41-year-old professional clarinet shop. Her company also teaches woodwind repair to educators, private lesson teachers and to those seeking an additional source of income. She also has a business called Sales Maven which helps small businesses align their digital assets to cohesively sell and market themselves and their…

In today’s podcast you’ll hear my interview with James Daly: Pianist, Composer, Teacher, Business Owner.  He’s created the San Ramon Academy of Music and the Powerful  Piano brand.  James is so charming and passionate, and you can just feel his love for the music he makes and the students he teaches.  He’s overcome a lot…

On today’s podcast, you’ll hear my interview with Leslie Tagorda: Brand Astrologer, Designer, Podcast Host, Professional Clarinetist. The story of how she created and evolved her business is so inspiring to me, and I know it will be to you as well. I hope you enjoy the episode!  Leslie Tagorda helps spiritual entrepreneurs become the…

This week on the podcast, you’ll hear Kirin McElwain, cellist, performer, and coordination enthusiast.  You’ll hear the story of a musician who has the courage to try new things, over and over, and the courage to STOP the things that aren’t working for her.  Kirin McElwain is a performer-composer on cello and voice and—more recently— laptop…

I’m speaking directly to you today, reading a chapter from my book, The Happiest Musician.  I talk about my reed business, the one I started as a side thing back in 1998 and grew to six figures.  I also offer a free resource on why YOU should start up a reed business of your own –…