Sunday Baroque Conversations

Musician, teacher and administrator Patricia Ann Neely has been Chair of Early Music America's IDEA Task Force, and she continues her ongoing conversation with Suzanne about making the world of early music more welcoming and inclusive for all. In this installment, Ms. Neely talks about the importance of ongoing conversations about how to move forward successfully together.

Patricia Ann Neely is a seasoned professional musician. She is an expert performer on a variety of early bowed string instruments including viola da gamba, an expert in historical performance practices, a music teacher, and an administrator. Ms. Neely is also Chair of Early Music America's IDEA Task Force, and she continues her ongoing conversation with Suzanne about making the world of early music more welcoming and inclusive for all.

Melanie Punter has had a busy career as a double bass player for decades. The versatile and talented musician is in demand in modern symphony orchestras, as well as for her work playing baroque and early music with period instrument groups. She spoke with Suzanne about her experiences coming up through the prestigious High School of Music and Art in New York, her work as a member of the Orchestra of St. Luke's and as Principal Bassist of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and why her position was often a lonely one. She even talked about her experience with a certain VERY big heartthrob musician, impressing Suzanne and the Sunday Baroque team into squeals! Find out who it was, and hear their full conversation.

Sallynee Amawat is a violinist whose passion is for baroque and early music. She was so young when she started playing that she doesn't remember life before the violin and making music! Now she imparts her passion to her own students, who range in age from toddlers to retirees. Sallynee Amawat also a co-founder of the Canadian quartet, Infusion Baroque. She spoke with Suzanne and shared her enthusiasm and perspective on music, teaching, and the importance of cultural relationships and cultural exchanges.

Composer Melika M. Fitzhugh is a multi-instrumentalist whose interests transcend centuries, from modern instruments and genres, all the way back to Renaissance and Baroque instruments and music. She especially loves composing modern music for historical instruments because of the unique "chocolatey" sound they impart. Mel Fitzhugh is energetic and upbeat about her life as a composer and music teacher, and she spoke with Suzanne about the process of composing, and some of the things that inspire and motivate her.

Like many musicians, Dr. Justin Bland has had to adjust his career and his expectations for life during COVID-19 lockdown. 2020 was supposed to be a big year for the American musician, who now lives in Denmark. His engagements as a concerto soloist were all put on hold, and he has used the time to practice and work on projects he might not otherwise have had time to tackle. You can hear some of his signature super-high trumpet playing on his many online video-selfies. Dr. Justin Bland spoke with Suzanne about how and when his love for baroque music began, the historical evolution of the trumpet, and the particular challenges of playing baroque trumpet.

Although Ann Hobson Pilot retired in 2009 after decades as Principal Harpist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, she continues to make music and inspire others. The award-winning international musician spoke with Suzanne about her introduction to music, her trailblazing career as an orchestral harpist, and even how she stays in physical shape to play such a physically demanding instrument. Ms. Pilot also shared her perspective on helping classical music culture become more inclusive and welcoming.

Morris "Mo" Pleasure is a global artist with a career spanning more than three decades. He moves effortlessly between a wide range of musical genres including rock, R&B, and jazz, and his early training was in classical piano and gospel music. The Connecticut native is now based in the UK, where even the pandemic has not stopped his projects, such as an upcoming charity single with other stars, including Michael McDonald and Joss Stone. Suzanne spoke with the extraordinary all-around performer, her onetime college classmate, about his life as a musician.

Canadian musician Brandyn Lewis is a professional double-bass player, currently an interim member of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, which he has called a "dream come true." He chatted with Suzanne about the trial and error process of finding the right instrument to play when he was still a child, the teachers, mentors and experiences he had along the way, and his growing career as a performer and teacher himself.

Oleg Timofeyev plays guitar and lute, and is a musicologist. The Moscow-born musician has a particular interest in reviving the Russian 7-string guitar and its repertory. He lives in Iowa now, where he teaches, and recently released a download-only album, MUSIC BY 18TH CENTURY WOMEN COMPOSERS. He spoke with Suzanne about his career, the Russian guitar, and his new recording and the collaborators who worked on it with him.

Kayoko Dan stands confident and poised in front of the orchestras she conducts, drawing on her extensive training as a conductor and educator, and her innate passion for music. So it's a bit disarming that she describes herself as "shy" and "introverted." She says she simply knows when and how to assert herself to get what she wants. That started as far back as when she was 3 years old, and convinced her non-musician parents to sign her up for music classes just like the 5 year old neighbor girl. Kayoko Dan is the 8th Music Director of the Chattanooga Symphony, and she spoke about her career with Suzanne.

Pianist Kyle P. Walker is a busy musician with a wide range of interests and activities: soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and social justice advocate. He says he, "believes music can speak to social issues better than verbal language can." Kyle P. Walker spoke with Suzanne about his career and collaborations, including The Dream Unfinished, an activist orchestra and collective which supports NYC-based civil rights and community organizations, and his solo performance project, Bach to BlackNotes, which features works of J.S. Bach juxtaposed with the music of neglected composers of color.

Have you ever seen a carillon? Better yet, have you ever heard one played? There are more than 150 carillons across the United States, and one of them may well be in your community. David Maker is a retired University of Connecticut music professor who became smitten with carillons many years ago when he learned there was one on the UConn campus. He has become an expert about carillons, and has played many of them all over the world. Suzanne (a UConn music department grad) interviewed her former Orchestration Professor about his passion for carillons.

Brought up in Israel, the eldest child of two University Professors, David Greilsammer is a curious man. He is curious about music, of course. But he is also curious about the world in general: the environment, social issues, and other important issues of our time. He spoke with Suzanne and shared a glimpse into his passionate curiosity, and his broad and inclusive approach to music and the creative impulse.

California native Lara Downes was already studying piano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a 5 year old! She grew up to be a virtuoso player with passionate curiosity and a voracious appetite for interesting music and musicians, captivating projects, and meaningful collaborations, and she refuses to be constrained to a singular definition of what a classical musician can and should be. Lara Downes chatted with Suzanne about her brilliant career, including her new video interview series AMPLIFY.

A fine musical instrument is a vital tool for a professional musician. String players often use instruments that are centuries-old, with characteristics particular to the luthier who crafted them. Ilya Finkelshteyn has had the great fortune to play many extraordinary cellos, including the 17th century Montagnana instrument he uses as principal cellist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Suzanne spoke with Ilya about some of the fine cellos he has played, and what makes each of them so special.

As a child, Brandon Patrick George was instantly drawn to the flute. It looked beautiful, and shiny, and he just knew in his heart that he was meant to play it. When he finally had the chance to pick an instrument to learn, there was no question he would choose the flute, and it has proven to be his perfect partner. The talented young musician is full of enthusiasm for everything from baroque music to cutting edge contemporary music, and he spoke with Suzanne about his debut recording and his growing career.

Countertenor Reggie Mobley is a man of many talents. He once considered becoming a visual artist, then he tapped into his extraordinary musical ability. He has sung all over the world, and has a broad range of musical interests, as well as a passion for social justice. Suzanne spoke with him about his career and favorite baroque music and composers (Bach and Handel) and some of the projects he is working on lately.

Countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen sings the role of David in Philharmonia Baroque's 2020 recording of George Frideric Handel's oratorio SAUL. Still in his 20s, the young American musician is a rising star with numerous awards and ambitious projects already under his belt. He chatted with Suzanne about his path to becoming a professional musician.

Violinist Julien Chauvin is a baroque music specialist who has studied with some of the world's prominent early music experts, including flutist Wilbert Hazelzet, cellist and viol player Jaap ter Linden and cellist Anner Bylsma. Julien Chauvin has also played in many of the leading European Baroque ensembles AND has founded several period instrument ensembles, too. One of those groups is Le Concert de la Loge, and Suzanne spoke with him about his recording with them of Concertos by Antonio Vivaldi for the VIVALDI EDITION recording series.