The Mind Over Finger Podcast

How to reconnect with your love of music This week in the Try it at Home series, we unpack the wisdom of Kelly McGarry and Jesus Saenz from Musicians for the World and apply it in our lives. "Remember why we do what we do. It's easy to get tunnel-vision and to sucked into all of it. But just remember: we do this because we love it. Find things to remind yourself of that."  - Kelley McGarry, Mind Over Finger Podcast Episode 117   Just for you, I’ve created a free resource that has all the steps I’m about to share.  Download it HERE to follow along and continue the reflection after the episode.  You can also find the link at www.mindroverfinger.com/resources. Catch their conversation with me in Episode 117 of the Mind Over Finger Podcast.   GRAB YOUR FREE GUIDE TO REMEMBERING YOUR WHY HERE

Today I have two wonderful guests for you -  Kelley McGarry and Jesus Sáenz. These two musicians were brought together by a desire to make music accessible to all, and when the pandemic hit, founded Musicians for the World. Musicians for the World is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating “a world where opportunity is accessible to those who dream of it, no matter their geographic location or socioeconomic standing.” They’ve created global partnerships with schools in several countries (likely not the first countries you’d think of!), collaborations with festivals, universities, and competitions, and they hold masterclass series with world-class artists. Kelley and Jesus have already made such a difference in the world through music, and will only continue to spread music education across the globe. Make sure to stick around to the episode for ways that you can help today! In our conversation, we discuss: How Jesus and Kelley each found their starts in music (2:53) The origin story of Musicians of the World and what’s behind their mission (5:29) Particularly fun anecdotes from students, and some of the professional musicians Musicians of the World has partnered with to teach classes (10:33) The impact their organization has not just on their students’ playing, but their own playing, and the musicianship of the other teachers they work with (15:33) What we could do today to start creating change through music… starting with Google! (19:40) The doubts and resistance they have met while running this nonprofit, as well as some of the brightest moments from this journey (21:55) Tools that have been particularly efficient for their own playing and for their students (27:41)   LINKS: Website: https://www.musiciansfortheworld.org/ Contact Form: https://www.musiciansfortheworld.org/contact Where to Donate: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/musiciansfortheworld Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiciansfortheworld/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Musicians-For-The-World-Inc-104639074609306/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMgD-F6Y8ifh8eCeyE9NFg   MIND OVER FINGER: I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me. Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome! www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/   PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best.  With the purchase of PPP, you gain: Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction Guidance in effective high-performance systems Detailed handouts   THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com. 

Ways to expand our horizons as musicians, artists, and humans. “Our work as artists and as citizens in the world is to literally stand in the gap.” -  Vijay Gupta, Mind Over Finger Podcast Episode 115   Welcome to the first episode of this try it at home series!  In those episodes, you will get suggestions on how you can take the actionable tip from the latest interview of the Mind Over Finger Podcast, try it at home, and make it your own!  Let’s unpack this awesome wisdom together and apply it in our lives.  And: just for you, I’ve created a free resource that has all the steps I’m about to share.  Download it here to follow along and continue the reflection after the episode.  You can also find the link at mindroverfinger.com/resources.   This week: the wisdom of violinist and citizen-artist, Vijay Gupta Catch Vijay’s conversation with me on the Mind Over Finger Podcast in episode 115  

Welcome to the first Mind Over Finger Podcast episode of 2022! There are many exciting things coming up this year, including the Joyful Practice Challenge. Learn more in the intro to this episode! There’s no better way to welcome in the new year than with today’s special guest: musician, speaker, and citizen-artist Vijay Gupta. His work embodies the belief that the work of artists and citizens is one: to make a daily practice of the world we envision. We cover: His musical path from a childhood adoration for music to his multifaceted professional career today (6:57) What drew him away from the LA Philharmonic toward his work to, as he put it, “show up to the world through performing chamber music” (14:50) How playing Schumann in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility helped to recontextualize his view of the role of musicians to provide humanity with nourishment (19:44) His answer to the question: What is citizenship?, and how he chooses to think of musical currency (23:00) How his views on communicating and the purpose of music influences his approach to playing pieces (alongside the social context of their composition) (24:56) Some ways every musician can go out and serve our own communities (30:05) Diving into the process Vijay is taking to record the Six Bach Sonatas (34:30) Vijay’s redefinition of success, the importance of learning how to learn, and his favorite practice room tool (41:12) And finally, the incredible actionable tip that left me speechless (50:19) Vijay is the founder and Artistic Director of Street Symphony, a community of musicians creating spaces of connection for people in reentry from homelessness, addiction and incarceration in Los Angeles. He received the 2018 MacArthur Fellowship for his work as co-founder of the Skid Row Arts Alliance, a consortium dedicated to creating art for – and with – the largest homeless community in America. As an international recitalist, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician for over 20 years, Vijay has created a multifaceted and holistic career. I am so happy to share this conversation with you.  LINKS: Website: https://guptaviolin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guptaviolin/ Bandcamp: https://guptaviolin.bandcamp.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGjIVIprbRwiQCV9RBnOl4Q Street Symphony Website: https://www.streetsymphony.org/ Street Symphony Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetsymph/   MIND OVER FINGER: I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me. Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome! mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/   PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best.  With the purchase of PPP, you gain: Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction Guidance in effective high-performance systems Detailed handouts   THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com.

I can’t wait for you to hear this week’s conversation with the inspiring  Jennifer Montone. Jennifer is the Grammy-Award-Winning Principal Horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and a world acclaimed soloist, chamber musician and teacher. She’s been on the faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School since joining the orchestra in 2006.      She regularly performs as a soloist with orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Saint Louis Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the National Symphony, the Polish National Radio Symphony, the Warsaw National Philharmonic, among others.  She’s an active recording artist with several albums under her belt and she performs as a chamber musician in festivals and on stages across the world.  In May 2006 Jennifer was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant. She is also the winner of the 1996 Paxman Young Horn Player of the Year Award in London, England.    Jennifer shares fantastic insight in our conversation, including: How Jennifer’s artistic path has unfolded throughout her career (4:10) The importance of music in conjunction with education, and the education that can be taken from attending orchestral concerts (7:42) What her life looks like as a musician in a professional orchestra, and how it differs from her early expectations (11:07) How negative mindsets and nerves prevent us from improving, how to find a balance with your own mindset, and how she settles into her own (14:26) Particular steps Jennifer takes when she knows she will be in a potentially stressful situation or performance to help tap into a “flow state” (21:35) Why preparation for major repertoire (especially for the first time) should include learning the history and context surrounding its composition as well as studying the score  (29:16) The balance Jennifer has found between her work and personal lives and how she achieved it (33:26) What surprises her the most about professional orchestra life (spoiler alert: it’s the camaraderie of fellow musicians!) (39:45) And finally Jennifer answers some rapid-fire questions, sharing the resistance she’s faced along her journey, advice for young musicians, her favorite warm-ups, advice she’d like to pass on to all the listeners, and an actionable tip you can try today (44:30) LINKS: Website: https://www.jenmontone.com/ PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best.  With the purchase of PPP, you gain: Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction Guidance in effective high-performance systems Detailed handouts For a limited time only, a free 30-minute consultation with me. MIND OVER FINGER: As we head into this new season, I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me. Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome! www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/   THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com.   

I had a fantastic conversation with Elizabeth Rowe that I can’t wait to share with you today! Elizabeth is the principal flutist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.  She’s a professional coach, teacher, social justice advocate, and public speaker. She has been hailed by The Boston Globe as a Bostonian of the Year following the lawsuit she won in 2018, demanding equal pay from her employer. Since then, she has continued to start conversations and advocate for equity and inclusion across all facets of today’s orchestras. She also runs a successful coaching practice,  supporting creative people of all types as they work to achieve their biggest vision for their personal and professional lives while remaining true to themselves.  Her latest program, Your Tenure Team, supports and equips musicians to prepare for and successfully navigate the orchestral tenure process.  In our discussion, Elizabeth shared  incredible insight on a plethora of topics, including: How Elizabeth’s musical journey has unfolded (2:50) Elizabeth’s vision for the future of the tenure process, and her own “Turning the Tables On Tenure” (4:21) Addressing questions around how we respond to critical feedback, perform as professional musicians, and give ourselves space to think as artists (8:55) How to show up as better colleagues and more positive influences in the workplace as professional musicians (10:30) The development of Elizabeth’s career as the principal flutist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and what it looks like for her today (13:42) Advice for young musicians who are struggling with finding a mindful balance between work and rest (18:14) Elizabeth’s advocacy work, specifically pay equity, a realistic looks at what the classical world looks like now, and fostering conversations to transform today’s orchestras into a more inclusive, equitable, and welcome place for all (22:08) Oppositions and alternatives to a scarcity mindset when it comes to considering pay equity (and other changes) within modern orchestras (25:56) How learning to use recording in her practice sessions early contributed to her success (28:44)  The importance of communication skills and developing a balanced life (31:50) And finally, Elizabeth gives two actionable tips: one for the practice room and one for your overall well-being as an artist (35:15) LINKS: Elizabeth’s guide, Turning the Tables on Tenure: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/613f44067accb4c021020826 Your Tenure Team, Elizabeth’s new small-group program beginning January 2022: https://www.yourtenureteam.com/ Website: IAmElizabethRowe.com Instagram: @IAmElizabethRowe Facebook: IamElizabeth Rowe PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance, my transformative workshop, is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best.  With the purchase of PPP, you gain: Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction Guidance in effective high-performance systems Detailed handouts For a limited time only, a free 30-minute consultation with me. MIND OVER FINGER: As we head into this new season, I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me. Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome! www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/   THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com. 

Today, you’re in for quite a treat!  I spoke with Tom Hooten, Principal Trumpet of the LA Philharmonic and one of the world’s most prominent classical trumpeters. Be prepared to walk away from this conversation feeling highly motivated and inspired by the energy and wisdom he brought to this conversation! We covered many great topics, including: Tom’s self-described “unconventional” journey to this point in his career as a professional musician (3:38) How important mindset is to practice and improvement (8:49) Digging into meeting yourself “where your talent ends” (13:00) Teaching as problem-solving and shifting perspectives (17:08) Tom’s process in the practice room, specifically in preparation for a world-premiere piece (19:32) Asked himself: what is the end result? (21:06) Made a list of specific things that needed consistent attention (22:11) Planned out a routine, including the actual times to practice (and how, if you fail to commit to those times, you’ll end up with a “frustration cocktail”) (22:45) Got honest with what he could and could not do to fill out that schedule (24:00) Used the app “Seconds Pro” to create a timed, custom “workout” practice routine (24:14) Continued to tend to his foundational base of skills, in conjunction with the specialty skills required from a specific piece (28:00) What it means to create for yourself, opposed to mimicking others’ interpretations (30:33) Audition tips, including winning auditions through trust, honesty, and dedicated practice (32:35) Some rapid-fire answers, including what Tom’s schedule looks like, the importance of asking good questions, and a (somewhat unexpected!) accountability tool to use during practice (37:11) LINKS: Instagram: @tomhooten Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TomHootenTrumpet Website: https://www.tomhooten.com Seconds Pro Interval Timer App, for Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/seconds-pro-interval-timer/id363978811 Seconds Pro Interval Timer App, for Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.runloop.seconds&hl=en PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best.  With the purchase of PPP, you gain: Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction Guidance in effective high-performance systems Detailed handouts For a limited time only, a free 30-minute consultation with me. PPP alumnus Karmen Palusoo has this to say about it: “For a long time I have had this belief that learning an instrument is difficult and hard work or that it has to be, and there is no other way. Only a few weeks after PPP, I am starting to feel that change! My everyday practice sessions are now filled with freedom and ease!” MIND OVER FINGER: As we head into this new season, I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me. Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome! www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/ THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.

I’m really excited to bring you this conversation with Ralph Skiano, principal clarinetist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Though this conversation was our first time meeting, our views on practice and mindfulness couldn’t be more aligned. I hope you thoroughly enjoy this episode! Before joining the Detroit symphony, Ralph served as principal clarinetist with the Cincinnati Symphony, the Richmond Symphony, and the Des Moines Metro Opera. He’s also appeared as guest principal clarinetist of the Seattle Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra and as a soloist with ensembles throughout the United States, France, Germany, and Switzerland. In addition to his soloist and orchestral work, he is an active presenter and clinician, presenting masterclasses and workshops at universities all across the United States. Take a look at the links below to learn more about the books Ralph has written as well as other resources for musicians.  In our conversation, Ralph shares with us fantastic tips and tricks on how to practice mindfully, develop a solid process to prepare for auditions, nurturing mental strength, and so much more! He elaborates on... How his artistic path began, and how it has unfolded (3:28) The importance of music education and its availability in public schools (5:17) How to make your practice more effective by having fun and finding creative solutions to your audition problems (6:48) The game-changing effect mindful clarity and preparation has on your musicianship, and how to turn doubts into helpful stories (13:14) His summary of the most important parts of the audition process, and how your practice regimine can shift with time and experience (19:34) Thoughts on trusting in your work and overcoming self-doubt (29:06) What his career looks like now, and what he has found surprising (32:52) Habits that contributed to his success, advice for young musicians, and his latest practice-related interests (34:20) Finally, Ralph shares some of the resources he has created for musicians (see the “Links” section for more information) (40:42)   LINKS: Website: https://www.ralphskiano.com/ “Little Scores for Audition Success” by Ralph Skiano “Behind the Screen: A Winner’s Guide to Preparing Your Next Audition” by Ralph Skiano Instagram: @DetroitClarinet   PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best.  With the purchase of PPP, you gain: Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction Guidance in effective high-performance systems Detailed handouts For a limited time only, a free 30-minute consultation with me. PPP alumnus Karmen Palusoo has this to say about it: “For a long time I have had this belief that learning an instrument is difficult and hard work or that it has to be, and there is no other way. Only a few weeks after PPP, I am starting to feel that change! My everyday practice sessions are now filled with freedom and ease!”   THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com.    MIND OVER FINGER: As we head into this new season, I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me. Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome! www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

I have admired today’s guest for a very long time! Kim Kashkashian is an internationally recognized and decorated violist who has worked tirelessly to broaden the range of technique, advocacy, and repertoire for the viola. Our conversation is absolutely filled with information and inspiration, including: Her musical journey and how her artistic path has unfolded, focusing heavily on conquering her fears and belief in chance (3:24) Why pursuing an objective view is essential to your growth (9:48) How Kim defines mindful practice... (11:26)  ...and how focusing on the entire production of your sound (including resonance, energy, and what you send out) maximizes your practice (12:51) Kim’s suggestions to exercise expressive playing, including knowing exactly what a piece means to you by personifying the music (and letting how you transmit that message to an audience come second) (15:36) How the difference between intention and desire relates to the tension in performance (22:56) The distinction between being judgmental and making good differentiation, and the impact of each (29:55) Kim’s advice to current music students on broadening your perspective, learning the language of music (separate from the craft of playing your instrument), and knowing the historical context of pieces (33:36) The doubt and resistance Kim has faced on her own journey (36:38) The importance of listening to yourself with love, knowing yourself and what you want to say, and knowing how to say it (37:50)   MORE ON KIM KASHKASHIAN: YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kim+kashkashian+viola Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063660876526   Kim Kashkashian, internationally recognized as a unique voice on the viola, was born of Armenian parents in Michigan. She studied the viola with Karen Tuttle and legendary violist Walter Trampler at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Since fall 2000 she has taught viola and chamber music at New England Conservatory. Following Grammy Award nominations for several previous recordings, Kashkashian received a 2012 Grammy Award in the "Best Classical Instrumental Solo" category for Kurtág and Ligeti: Music for Viola, on the ECM Records label. Kashkashian's recording, with Robert Levin, of the Brahms Sonatas won the Edison Prize in 1999. Her June 2000 recording of concertos by Bartók, Eötvös and Kurtág won the 2001 Cannes Classical Award for a premiere recording by soloist with orchestra. In 2016, Kashkashian was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Kashkashian has worked tirelessly to broaden the range of technique, advocacy, and repertoire for the viola. A staunch proponent of contemporary music, she has developed creative relationships with György Kurtág, Krzysztof Penderecki, Alfred Schnittke, Giya Kancheli, and Arvo Pärt, and commissioned works from Peter Eötvös, Ken Ueno, Thomas Larcher, Lera Auerbach, and Tigran Mansurian. Marlboro and the Viennese school represented by her mentor, Felix Galimir, were major influences in developing her love of chamber music. Kim Kashkashian is a regular participant at the Verbier, Salzburg, Lockenhaus, Marlboro, and Ravinia festivals. She has long-standing duo partnerships with pianist Robert Levin and percussionist Robyn Schulkowsky, and played in a unique string quartet with Gidon Kremer, Daniel Phillips, and Yo-Yo Ma. As a soloist, she has appeared with the great orchestras of Berlin, London, Vienna, Milan, New York, and Cleveland, and in recital at the Metropolitan Museum of New York, Kaufmann Hall, New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, as well as in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Frankfurt, Berlin, Paris, Athens, and Tokyo. Kashkashian's musicianship has been well represented on recordings through her association with the prestigious ECM label in a fruitful collaboration that has been continuous since 1985. Kim Kashkashian has taught in Bloomington, Indiana, and in Freiburg and Berlin, Germany, and now resides with her daughter in Boston. Kim is a founding member of Music for Food, an initiative by musicians to fight hunger in their home communities. B.M., Peabody Conservatory of Music; M.M., New School of Music Philadelphia. Viola with Walter Trampler and Karen Tuttle. Former faculty of University of Indiana and conservatories in Freiburg and Berlin, Germany.   LINKS: "Performing and Music Communication" Barbara Hannigan live in Berlin on Sarah´s Horn Hangouts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lFs1C_ewiE     PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best.    With the purchase of PPP, you gain: Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction Guidance in effective high-performance systems Detailed handouts For a limited time only, a free 30-minute consultation with me. PPP alumnus Karmen Palusoo has this to say about it: “For a long time I have had this belief that learning an instrument is difficult and hard work or that it has to be, and there is no other way. Only a few weeks after PPP, I am starting to feel that change! My everyday practice sessions are now filled with freedom and ease!”   THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com.    MIND OVER FINGER: As we head into this new season, I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me. Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome! mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfinger https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

I recently had the true pleasure of chatting with my former teacher: violinist and pedagogue extraordinaire Brian Lewis!  He is an exceptionally dedicated and passionate performer who is committed to growing the legacies of his own two incredible teachers, the great Dorothy DeLay and Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. In our conversation we touched on... How Brian’s artistic path has unfolded, from his own childhood studies to today’s pedagogical pursuits (3:13) Teaching the language of music (11:50) Practicing concentration, and the importance of shifting your focus to refocusing for optimizing your practice (13:00) The legacy of Dorothy DeLay: how she empowered her students (including Brian) through positivity, removing judgement from her instruction, encouraging questions, and presenting the possibilities of playing to help young musicians sort out their own paths (15:01) Leading teaching with love, and the lasting, negative impacts of “abusive teaching” (25:13) Practicing habits (formed by DeLay and Suzuki) that helped set his playing apart, focusing on simplicity, the importance of listening, and repeating your own study of a score (30:01) Brian’s advice for collegiate musicians to use your time in conservatory to prepare for a life as a professional musician (35:09) The lineage of musicianship and importance of flexibility (42:15) Brian’s answers to a series of rapid-fire questions, including consistent practicing, his most memorable performances, favorite practice room tools, and book recommendation! (44:10)   MORE ON BRIAN LEWIS: One of the most versatile violinists on the current scene, Brian Lewis is an exceptionally gifted and charismatic artist. "There are a lot of fine violinists on the concert stage today, but few can match Lewis for an honest virtuosity that supremely serves the music,” reports the Topeka Capital-Journal. Much sought after as a performer and teacher, Mr. Lewis concertizes and teaches around the globe, and is dedicated to growing the legacy of Shin’ichi Suzuki and Dorothy DeLay. Acclaimed performances include concerto debuts in both New York's Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, as well as performances with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Berlin (Germany), Louisiana, Kansas City, Hartford, Syracuse, Odense (Denmark), Lima (Peru), Boulder, Guadalajara (Mexico), Sinfonia Toronto (Canada), ROCO and American Symphony orchestras, among many others.   He has released six CDs, including as soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra of music by Leonard Bernstein and Hollywood composer Michael McLean for the Delos Label. Mr. Lewis began his violin studies at the age of four, participating in the Ottawa Suzuki Strings program, and traveling to Japan twice to study with Dr. Suzuki. He received his Bachelor and Master degrees from The Juilliard School, studying with the renowned pedagogue, Dorothy DeLay. Mr. Lewis holds the David and Mary Winton Green Chair in String Performance and Pedagogy at The University of Texas at Austin. In addition, he is Artistic Director of the Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies at The Juilliard School in New York City, Artistic Director and Faculty and the Brian Lewis Young Artists Program held most recently in Fairbanks, AK. He has also recently held positions as the Class of ’57 Visiting Professor of Music at Yale University and Visiting Professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music. More information about Mr. Lewis can be found at www.brianlewisviolin.com.   PRACTICING FOR PEAK PERFORMANCE: I’m excited to tell you that Practicing for Peak Performance is now available for download! Go to MindOverFinger.com for access to all the tools that will help you transform your practice, gain confidence in your process, and start performing at your best.  With the purchase of PPP, you gain: Access to all recorded content - over 7 hours of instruction Guidance in effective high-performance systems Detailed handouts For a limited time only, a free 30-minute consultation with me. PPP alumnus Karmen Palusoo has this to say about PPP: “For a long time I have had this belief that learning an instrument is difficult and hard work or that it has to be, and there is no other way. Only a few weeks after PPP, I am starting to feel that change! My everyday practice sessions are now filled with freedom and ease!”   THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you. Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme.  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to pianist-singer-song-writer Louise Kelly for the introduction!  You can find out more about Kelly and her creative work by visiting louisekelly.com.    MIND OVER FINGER: I encourage you to visit MindOverFinger.com for a plethora of resources on mindful practice and information on how to work with me. Sign up for my newsletter and receive your free guide to a highly productive mindful practice using a metronome! mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/