The Mind Over Finger Podcast

This week on the podcast, I talk with neuro-symphonic hornist and creator of the practice app, Modacity.  Marc brings an incredible versatility to music making and has an inspiring holistic approach to practicing and living music. We discuss: Hi versatile background, developing skills and acquiring knowledge in many areas – music, neuroscience, coding, meditation, wisdom traditions What being a neuro-symphonic hornist means What do we define “success” as What is positive focus How he came up with Modacity The features of Modacity The importance of priming   Join Marc and I for a month of mindful practice during the month of November! DETAILS INCLUDED AT THE END OF THE EPISODE AND BELOW HERE!   ALL ABOUT MARC: Marc’s webiste: http://marcgelfo.com/ Modacity: https://www.modacity.co/ Challenge Participants: Download the Modacity app and visit https://www.modacity.co/mindful-music-upgrade/ for access to all the app’s premium features for FREE for the whole month of November! Marc’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/practicelivingmusic/ Marc on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcgelfo/ Modacity’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ModacityApp/ Modacity on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modacityapp/ Why You Should Use Modacity to Practice Music How To: Deliberate Practice for Musicians & How to Use Modacity's Improvement Feature The art of breathing: http://www.jessicawolfartofbreathing.com/for-purchase/ Research on the advantages of recording practice - "When audience members were played recordings of both types of performance, a significant majority expressed a preference for the performances that were created in a mindful state."  http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0305735607086053 Contrabass Conversation episode #515: Practice better with Modacity – Jason Heath interviews Marc Jason Heath’s blog: How I’m practicing music better using Modacity and forScore Jason Heath’s video Modacity: my favorite new tool for better practicing Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery Second Edition by Eric N. Franklin The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful by Eric Ries   MARC GELFO Marc Gelfo has been combining music and technology since he was 5 years old. After applying cognitive science & computer science degrees to French horn, Marc became an internationally touring symphony musician. His experience includes teaching and performing with thousands of musicians around the world, including San Francisco Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra.   Marc is Co-Founder & CEO at Modacity, building software to help create a world where everyone makes music. Visit https://modacity.co or email marc@modacity.co for more on this rapidly growing music learning platform.    MINDFUL PRACTICE MONTH Now, if you’re interested in taking your practice to the next level, join me for a month of Mindful Practice!  Here’s how it works! Hop on Facebook, and join The Mind Over Finger Tribe at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe/ Think of 1-3 practice goals you have for the month of November, put that in writing, and share it with us on the group. It could be anything from learning a piece, to working on a specific thing you want to fix in your technique.  I would be specific, like don’t say I want to improve my left hand, but rather say something along the lines of I want to improve my shifts. Download the Modacity app and visit https://www.modacity.co/mindful-music-upgrade/ for access to all the app’s premium features for FREE for the whole month of November! Starting November 1st, practice every day using Modacity and share a daily practice insight or "win" with us and on social media with the hashtag #mindfulpracticechallenge! I’m going share mine in the group and on Instagram using the hashtag #mindfulpracticechallenge   THANK 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. Also a huge thank you to recording engineer extraordinaire, Bella Kelly! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

First Associate Concertmaster with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the creative mind behind Natesviolin, Nathan Cole has incredible insight on practice and performance preparation!  In this episode, he discusses:   His path, from Suzuki beginner, to Curtis student, to the LA Phil, via the St-Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony How he organizes his time for productivity The importance of scheduling Utilize small pockets of time Know when you are the most productive How he prepares for practice – the importance of having the right environment Not separating the warm up from “playing” Not separating practicing from performing The importance of paying attention every time you are about to start a note The importance of choosing repertoire suited to our level How he takes a piece from start to ready The importance of practicing etudes and to understand what the point of each etude is so we can focus on the proper skill to be worked on How he problem-solves difficult passages The importance of paying close attention to how things sound and feel – being present Why it’s important to develop good communication skills with colleagues   ALL ABOUT guest: Website: https://www.natesviolin.com/ Podcast Stand Partners for Life: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stand-partners-for-life/id1328799919?mt=2 Nathan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natesviolin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natesviolin/ The Inner Game of Golf by W. Timothy Gallwey The Inner Game of Tennis, also by Gallwey The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green     Nathan Cole, First Associate Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has appeared as guest concertmaster with the orchestras of Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Houston, Ottawa, Seattle, and Oregon. He was previously a member of the Chicago Symphony and Principal Second Violin of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. A native of Lexington, KY, he made his debut with the Louisville Orchestra at the age of ten while studying with Donna Wiehe. After eight years working with Daniel Mason, Cole enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music. In addition to his studies there with Pamela Frank, Felix Galimir, Ida Kavafian, and Jaime Laredo, Cole formed the Grancino String Quartet, debuting in New York’s Weill Hall. Several summers at Marlboro enriched his love of chamber music. While in Chicago, Nathan taught at Roosevelt University and coached the Chicago Civic Orchestra. He is currently on the faculty at the Colburn School for the Performing Arts, with classes at the Colburn Conservatory and USC. His articles and photographs have appeared in Strings, Symphony, and Chamber Music magazines. Nathan’s articles and videos on practicing, performing, teaching, and auditioning have helped thousands of violinists worldwide. In addition to his online teaching, Nathan is currently on faculty at the Colburn School for the Performing Arts, with classes at the Colburn Conservatory and USC. His articles and photographs have also appeared in Strings, Symphony, and Chamber Music magazines. Nathan is married to Akiko Tarumoto, the LA Phil’s Assistant Concertmaster. Together they host the weekly podcast Stand Partners for Life, an inside look at orchestra life, which can be heard at standpartnersforlife.com. Nathan and Akiko live in Pasadena with their three children.   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. THANK 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/   (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast.  Thank you for your support.)

International viola soloist Matthew Lipman can be heard on the best stages around the world!  In this episode he discusses his road to success, how to practice and get ready for a competition, and the importance of mental preparation before a performance. He elaborates on: The importance of music education in the schools and the important of funding for music an arts programs in our public schools Studying with Roland Vamos and how he directed his attention got directed in the right way early on in his training Studying with Heidi Castelman and how she got him to focus on tone production Studying with Tabea Zimmermann and how she got him to listen ever more to himself How learning to listen to ourselves is so important and why feeling like we sound bad can be good: “when you are experiencing growth, you think that you sound horrible, and it helps you reach a new level” How being consistent is key in progressing How listening to the sound and tone can completely lead the way to huge progress How you have to take a step back and understand how our body works and how the instrument responds instead of trying to push the sound How preparing for competition can be hard, but focusing on the process and adopting the right mindset can really lead you to new heights The process of preparing for an international competition o   Choosing repertoire that “lets you shine” o   Practice performing your repertoire a lot before the competition o   Be organized – using chart and planning properly o   Have clear and specific goals How to efficiently work with metronome: how you can reach freedom through working with one How preparing mentally for a performance is a long but important process How you have to be able to zoom in on the details, and also zoom out and see the big picture   ABOUT MATTHEW: Website: http://www.matthew-lipman.com/index.php Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: https://www.chambermusicsociety.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodiousmatt1/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melodiousmatt/ His recording of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with Rachel Barton Pine and the Academy of St-Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner Carl Fischer Foundation Studies for the Viola - Book 2 (from Opp. 45 and 74) performed by Matthew Playing the Viola: Conversations with William Primrose, by David Dalton Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra - featuring Erin Keefe and Matthew Lipman with the Minnesota Orchestra.   The recipient of a prestigious 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant, 25-year-old American violist Matthew Lipman has been hailed by the New York Times for his "rich tone and elegant phrasing" and by the Chicago Tribune for his "splendid technique and musical sensitivity.” In demand as a soloist, he has recently performed concertos with the Minnesota, Illinois Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber, Juilliard, Ars Viva Symphony, Montgomery Symphony, Innsbrook and Eggenfelden Festival orchestras and recitals at the WQXR Greene Space in New York City and the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. Highlights this season include a debut solo album on Cedille Records, which will include his own transcription of Waxman’s Carmen Fantasy and a world premiere by Brazilian composer Clarice Assad, and several performances of the Telemann Viola Concerto in Alice Tully Hall. The Telegraph praised Mr. Lipman as “gifted with poise and a warmth of timbre” on his Avie recording of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with violinist Rachel Barton Pine and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Sir Neville Marriner, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard classical charts. He was the only violist featured on WFMT Chicago’s list of "30 Under 30" top classical musicians and has been profiled by The Strad and BBC Music magazines. Mr. Lipman performs internationally as a chamber musician with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as a member of CMS Two, at the Music@Menlo, Marlboro, Bad Kissingen, Malaga, and Ravinia Festivals, and regularly with distinguished artists like Itzhak Perlman, Mitsuko Uchida, and Pinchas Zukerman. A top prizewinner of the Primrose, Tertis, Washington, Johansen, and Stulberg International Viola Competitions, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees as an inaugural Kovner fellow from The Juilliard School, where he continues to serve as teaching assistant to Heidi Castleman, and is currently mentored by Tabea Zimmermann in Kronberg, Germany. A native of Chicago, Mr. Lipman performs on a fine 1700 Matteo Goffriller viola loaned through the generous efforts of the RBP Foundation and an 1845 Dominque Peccatte viola bow.   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice.   THANK 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/   (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast.  Thank you for your support.)

Denise Tryon, Associate Professor of Horn at the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinatti and former Fourth Horn with the Philadelphia Orchestra, has built a wonderful career which combines teaching, performing, and expanding the repertoire of her instrument through active commissions.  Denise is a trail blazer in our field!  She has asked herself the hard questions and has not been afraid to step off the beaten path and shape her unique, meaningful, and impactful career.  In this episode, we discuss: Her journey from student, to top-five orchestra member, soloist, and pedagogue The distinction between warmup and daily routine (hint: a warmup is a small part of a daily routine) What a good routine covers – the various fundamentals of your instrument as well as extended techniques How to set up your own routine – something that works really well for you What mindful, efficient, practice is to her: o   Be demanding but kind with yourself o   How to organize it (I’m loving the “55 and out” technique!) o   How to problem solve o   What “swear” words she will not allow in her studio (and they are not what you’re thinking!) o   How we need to let go and go with the flow o   The four elements we need to address in the practice room – technical, physical, musical, and mental Audition Mode and audition preparation How musicians need to figure out how to find our own voice and market themselves How we must strive for excellence, not perfection “Change your mind and your body will follow” “Be demanding and caring” when you practice “Give to yourself first”     ALL ABOUT guest: Website: http://denisetryon.com/ Low Horns Unite: http://denise-tryon.thinkific.com/courses/low-horns-unite Audition Mode: http://auditionmode.com/ YouTube channels: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NXdXmBOZ08O4ijSX6wTzg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dt_lowhorn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeniseTryonHorn/   Her album, So Low Doctor Beat Metronome by Boss Mechanical Metronome (not the one she mentions) Horn Berp – Buzz Extension Resistance Piece The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music by Victor L. Wooten   Biography: A native of Roseville, MN, Denise Tryon is currently Associate Professor of Horn at the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinatti. Previously, Tryon was fourth horn of The Philadelphia Orchestra (2009-2017) and served as the Horn Professor of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore starting in 2007. She has also held positions with the Detroit Symphony (2003-2009), Baltimore (2000-2003), Columbus (1998-2000), and New World (1995-1998) Symphonies as well as participated in the Colorado Music Festival and the Pacific Music Festival. An accomplished solo performer, Tryon has performed recitals in Sweden, Norway, Poland, Japan, Canada and the United States. “Denise Tryon’s command of the lower register provides the strongest foundation of sound for a horn section, and yet, her sound is supple and flexible.” —Yannick Nezet-Sequin, music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra In 1989 Tryon graduated from the famed Interlochen Arts Academy and in 1993 received her Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) in Boston. She received the Presidential Scholarship while in the Artist Diploma Program at NEC with the Taiyo Wind Quintet, which won the Coleman Chamber Competition and worked with great composers such as John Harbison, Luciano Berio, György Ligeti, and Elliott Carter. An active and accomplished educator, Tryon is sought after for her masterclasses. She has taught extensively in the United States, Scandinavia, Europe, Asia and South America. Beth Graham of the Warsaw Philharmonic and founder of the Warsaw Horn Workshops raves, “In just a few seconds of listening to a student she can diagnose deep-seated problems and give immediate fixes, often with a healthy dose of humor as well. The transformations she can accomplish in just a short time are truly remarkable.” Tryon released her debut solo album, SO•LOW in 2015. As a part of this album, she commissioned 4 new pieces for low horn and piano. Said in a review by Gramophone Magazine “Tryon plays these works with sonorous fluidity and dexterity, ending with a bit of captivating acrobatics.” In 2009, Tryon founded Audition Mode, a yearly horn seminar, with Karl Pituch. In 2010 she was an International Horn Society (IHS) Northeast Workshop Featured Artist. She was a contributing artist at the IHS Symposium in San Francisco in 2011, as well as one of the Solo Artists at the Nordic Hornfest in Norway in 2012. Tryon was on the horn faculty at BIBA (Blekinge International Brass Academy) in Sweden in 2013. She has been the Featured Artist at the Warsaw Horn Workshops in 2013, 2015, and 2016. In 2014 and 2016, Tryon was a Featured Artist at the IHS MidNorth Horn Workshop, and in 2015, she was a Featured Artist at the IHS Symposium in LA. In 2016, Tryon was on faculty during the brass weeks at Domaine Forget. Tryon was the Featured Artist at the IHS NorthWest Horn Workshop in 2017.   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. THANK 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/   (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast.  Thank you for your support.)

Concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and new music champion, Holly Mulcahy redefines the profile of the 21st century musician.  Through her purposeful approach of music-making, she is able to genuinely connect and bring people together, and have powerful and positive impact in the music world and the community at large.  In this episode, we discuss: How going with the flow and being adaptable shaped her career How her parents helped her establish a strong base that has stayed with her throughout the years How she defined and found her own success and what made her happy How being honest with oneself is key How letting go of a full-time job and challenging the traditional route lead her to a fulfilling life How she reaches out and engages with her audience in a meaningful way How understanding our audience and getting them curious can help us “find a way in” and help us create authentic connections with concert goers How a concert in a prison turned into a powerful project that positively affects prisoners’ lives How she prepares and practices for an orchestra season as a concertmaster How being unprepared takes away the joy from the job How studying a score is important when preparing for a concert How spreading the work over several days is key in helping the brain absorbing the material and is important to solidify the preparation How she learns music by contemporary composers How she is mindful in her practice How adaptability is an important skill in a music career How keeping a notebook nearby helps her stay focus during a practice session     Holly Mulcahy: https://www.hollymulcahy.com/ Holly’s blog, Neo Classical: https://www.insidethearts.com/neoclassical/ Chattanooga Symphony & Opera: http://chattanoogasymphony.org/ Drew McManus: “There is a difference in creating a musical market and a musical community”  https://adaptistration.com/2018/04/20/there-is-a-difference-in-creating-a-musical-market-and-a-musical-community/  Arts Capacity: https://artscapacity.org/about/ Violin Concerto in Five Scenes “The Rose of Sonora” by George S. Clinton: “Inspired by true stories about the lives of legendary women in the Old West, The Rose of Sonora is a compelling and dramatic musical narrative that takes the listener on an epic western adventure of love, loss, and revenge.”  https://www.facebook.com/theroseofsonora/ Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton.  Executives from The Second City—the world’s premier comedy theater and school of improvisation—reveal improvisational techniques that can help any organization develop innovators, encourage adaptable leaders, and build transformational businesses.   Biography After hearing Scheherazade at an early age, Holly Mulcahy fell in love with the violin and knew it would be her future. Since then, she has won multiple positions in symphonic orchestras from Richmond to Phoenix and is currently serving as concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Holly began developing her leadership skills at the renowned Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University with former Baltimore Symphony concertmaster Herbert Greenberg. In recent seasons she has enjoyed serving as traveling concertmaster for Emmy Award winner George Daugherty’s Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, and as guest concertmaster for the Columbus Symphony (OH), Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and a one-year appointment as interim concertmaster for Orchestra Iowa. As an in-demand performer, Holly balances her orchestral duties with numerous concerto performances around the country. Passionate about performing living American composers’ works, Holly has been featured as soloist for concertos by Jennifer Higdon, Jim Stephenson, Philip Glass, and now a concerto being written for her by Hollywood film composer, George S. Clinton. This new concerto, The Rose of Sonora: a violin concerto in five scenes, is inspired by true stories about the lives of legendary women in the Old West and will take the listener on an epic western adventure of love and revenge. The world premiere performance will be in April 2019. Believing in music as a healing and coping source, Holly founded Arts Capacity, a charitable 501(c)3 which focuses on bringing live chamber music, art, artists, and composers to prisons. Arts Capacity addresses many emotional and character-building issues people face as they prepare for release into society. In addition to an active performing career, Holly is the author of Neo Classical, a monthly column on the future of classical music. On days off, Holly maintains a reputation for planning and hosting exquisite gourmet parties in her Chicago home. Holly performs on a 1917 Giovanni Cavani violin, previously owned by the late renowned soloist Eugene Fodor, and a bespoke bow made by award winning master bow maker, Douglas Raguse.   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice.   THANK 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. Also, a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/   (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast.  Thank you for your support.)

International flute soloist, Mimi Stillman has a gift to make classical music current, relevant, and exciting.  In this episode, we discuss different ways to make practice more fun, efficient, and effective. We elaborate on: Why learning how to practice is so important How important it is for parents to reinforce what is said in the lessons at home Key elements of efficient practice: Practicing slowly Using a metronome Monitoring the basics Good posture Monitoring the breath and body tension Practicing with challenging modifications such as different rhythm, accents, etc. A healthy balance of technique exercices vs repertoire in the practicing How playing in chamber music helps elevating awareness in our playing How being creative in our practice keeps in more engaging, more, and efficient How legendary flutist Julius Baker taught How we are our own best teacher and we need to take ownership of our practice and learning experience How being interested in other art forms and history complements our musical approach   Websites: Mimi www.mimistillman.com Dolce Suono Ensemble www.dolcesuono.com   YouTube channels: www.youtube.com/mimistillman www.youtube.com/dolcesuonoensemble   Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/MimiStillmanFlute/ www.facebook.com/dolcesuonoensemble/   Instagram: www.instagram.com/mimistillmanflute   Twitter: @mimistillman @dolcesuonoe Music in the Castle of Heaven by John Eliot Gardiner A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg   Biography Flutist Mimi Stillman, acclaimed by The New York Times as “not only a consummate and charismatic performer, but also a scholar whose programs tend to activate ear, heart, and brain”, is renowned for her virtuosity, insightful interpretation, and adventurous programming. As soloist, she has appeared with orchestras including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Bach Collegium Stuttgart, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, and Orchestra 2001, and as recitalist and chamber musician at venues including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Sawdust, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Symphony Space, La Jolla Chamber Music Society, The Kimmel Center, The Verbier Festival, and Kol HaMusica. Ms. Stillman is the founding Artistic Director of the popular Dolce Suono Ensemble, “one of the most dynamic groups in the US” (The Huffington Post), performing Baroque to new music with 53 world premieres in 13 seasons in Philadelphia and on tour. At the invitation of Plácido Domingo, Ms. Stillman and Dolce Suono Ensemble enjoy a partnership with the Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program A wide-ranging and innovative artist, Ms. Stillman celebrates the canon while deeply exploring new music and Latin genres.  She is highly regarded for expanding the repertoire through her commissions, arrangements, and compositions. She can be heard on several recordings including Odyssey: 11 American Premieres for Flute and Piano and Freedom, both with her longstanding duo pianist Charles Abramovic, and American Canvas performed by her Dolce Suono Trio (Innova). Her Syrinx Journey project, a tribute to Claude Debussy on his 150th anniversary, garnered an international following.   Mimi Stillman made the leap from child prodigy to inimitable artist. At age 12, she was the youngest wind player ever admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with the legendary Julius Baker and Jeffrey Khaner and earned her Bachelor of Music degree. She received a MA and PhD (abd) in History at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a published author on music and history. Mimi Stillman has won numerous competitions and awards including Young Concert Artists International Auditions, the Bärenreiter Prize for Best Historical Performance for Winds, Astral Artists Auditions, and the Philadelphia Women in the Arts Award. A Yamaha Performing Artist and Clinician, strongly committed to excellence in education, she has taught masterclasses at institutions including the National Flute Association, Eastman School of Music, Cornell University, Southern Methodist University, Indiana University, the universities of Texas, California, Virginia, Florida, and Arizona, and at conservatories worldwide. A Spanish-speaker, Ms. Stillman won the Knight Foundation grant for her Música en tus Manos (Music in Your Hands) project to introduce chamber music to the Latino community of Philadelphia. She is on faculty at Temple University, Curtis Summerfest, and Music for All National Festival. www.mimistillman.com   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. THANK 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/   (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast.  Thank you for your support.)

Bass player Jason Heath has built a vibrant career as a performer, educator, entrepreneur, and host of one of the most important classical music podcasts.  Through this experience, he has accumulated a vast knowledge on how to practice and grow a career into something that is authentic and rewarding. In this episode, Jason discusses: How Contrabass Conversations goes beyond the bass community is a show which brings value to all instrumentalists His book, Winning the Audition: Turbocharge Your Orchestral Audition: Advice from Leaders in the Field His story building a truly unique portfolio career, from growing up in North Dakota, to going to school in Chicago, joining several orchestras, teaching full-time in high-school, starting a blog, creating the podcast, and creating a vibrant career in San Francisco, CA Not being afraid to ask yourself the hard questions about where you want to be in your career and listen to the answers Practicing mindfully – o   how there are no shortcuts o   how audition winners come to develop the skills to win by finding the answers for themselves, believing in the themselves, and playing authentically o   the importance of falling in love with practicing The Modacity App – a tool to practice more mindfully The relevance of music in today’s world An ideal practice session for him Problem solving: Macro. Micro. Macro – “Think big, and go to the smallest possible chunk.” How he uses ForScore His strategy to stay enthusiastic about performances   Jason’s Doublebass blog: https://doublebassblog.org/ Contrabass Conversations: https://contrabassconversations.com/ Jason’s Double Bass Community Online Music Library: https://doublebassblog.org/music Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contrabassconversations/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason__heath/ Contrabass Conversations on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contrabassconversations/ Jason’s book: Winning the Audition: Turbocharge Your Orchestral Audition: Advice from Leaders in the Field Leon Bosch on Contrabass Conversations, episode 213: https://contrabassconversations.com/2016/05/16/cbc-213-leon-bosch-the-sherlock-holmes-of-the-double-bass/ Modacity app: https://www.modacity.co/ Dr. Don Greene, sport psychologist : https://www.winningonstage.com/ forScore app: https://forscore.co/   Biography Jason Heath is the host of Contrabass Conversations, a podcast devoted to exploring music and ideas associated with the double bass. His blog and podcast are highly regarded in the music world and have been featured as top offerings in the world of arts and culture for the past decade. He is the author of Winning the Audition and Road Warrior Without an Expense Account and his work has been featured in International Musician, TimeOut Chicago, Adaptistration, ArtsHacker, The Scroll, Bass World, Double Bassist, and Bass Musician Magazine. Jason serves on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Bassists and is the Double Bass Product Manager for Eastman Strings. He also serves on the advisory boards of Musician’s Toolkit and Be Part of the Music, and he is internationally active as a clinician and consultant.  Jason is past president of the Illinois chapter of the American String Teachers Association and past orchestra representative for District VII of the Illinois Music Educators Association. A highly decorated veteran teacher, Jason is a past faculty member at DePaul University, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Trinity International University.  He currently works with the San Francisco Symphony’s Music and Mentors program and teaches internationally at various bass events, clinics, and master classes. Jason’s former students hold positions in the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, and Philharmonie Sudwestfalen. As a high school orchestra director, Jason’s orchestras had many notable performances, including the Midwest Clinic in Chicago and tours in Peru, Spain, and Cuba. A graduate of Northwestern University, Jason performs with the IRIS Orchestra in Memphis Tennessee and ensembles in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was a member of the Elgin Symphony for 16 seasons and has also performed with the San Francisco Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, and numerous other professional ensembles.   THANK YOU: Huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! Also, 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.   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast.  Thank you for your support!)

Violin soloist James Ehnes discusses mindful practice, clear goals, efficient work, and the importance of competitions in his career. He emphasizes the value of listening, finding balance, and connecting with audiences. The podcast delves into his artistic journey, mentors, performance mindset, and the humanity of music.

Introducing The Mind Over Finger Podcast! Your resource for knowledge, insight and inspiration on practicing mindfully, performing optimally, and getting more intentional in creating a fulfilling musical career!   Subscribe now to receive our very first episode, featuring superstar violinist James Ehnes, in your podcast feed!