Greenroom Conversations

Listen to S04E04, our conversation with Cecile Licad on Apple, Spotify, and Sticher. Cecile Licad called “a pianist’s pianist” by The New Yorker, joined us to talk about her international career, starting as a prodigy and leading to her current project of American music. http://www.barrettartists.com/artist.php?id=clicad    

Jazz French Hornist and composer John Clark talked about his career path in both classical and jazz improvisation, playing, teaching, recording, composing and publishing.  He remains one of the first and few full-time jazz horn artists in the US.  Currently, he freelances in NYC, records and publishes under his label Hidden Meaning Music.    https://hmmusic.com   

Tosca Opdam is among the most prominent artists to have emerged from the Netherlands in recent years. Dividing her time between the US and Europe, she embraces the idiosyncratic qualities of both cultural worlds to enrich a personal expressiveness in music. We talked to her about her debut of a new violin concerto and various projects.  On April 23, 2020 she performs again at Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall.  

We are so embarrassed about the long wait and if you're reading this that means you've stuck around!  Yeah for you... and Thank you!

About our Interview with: Best Morgan.  Betsy entered the studio for our interview like a true New Yorker carrying an old full Ikea bag of tasks and errands and yet also with the positivity and friendliness of a midwesterner both of which she identifies as being. And all while being 8 ½ month pregnant. Betsy tells Ryan and Kevin all about being a multifaceted performer with lots of hats to wear which she does so well from on-stage every day to understudying, standby and swing.  Hang on tight; there's a lot to learn form Betsy in all of the ways. Links to learn more Betsy's Playbill Page  

About our Interview with: George Farmer.  Ryan and Kevin were delighted to have George Farmer in the studio to discuss how he got to broadway and how he feels about lending a hand to aspiring performers.  George is truly a musician's musician.  He clearly loves everything about the industry.  Enjoy! Links to learn more George's Website George's Playbill Page Interview with Bass Musician Magazine FaceBook  

About our Interview with: Ryan Driscoll. Ryan is currently on faculty at NYU and works as a music copyist for Broadway. Most recently Ryan was the copyist for the musical COME FROM AWAY, a show he feels incredibly proud of. Listen in to find out how Ryan’s path led from early success as a performer in his teens (starring opposite Idina Menzel), to following his heart to teaching and being a music copyist. His love of what he does is infectious; you are going to be entertained listening to Ryan tell his story and explain the world of the copyist. Links to learn more NYU Faculty Bio COME FROM AWAY  

About our Interview with: Paul Sheftel, Pianist, Composer and Pedagogue joined us in the studio to share his story about his teaching experience and his path to the use of technology in his piano teaching. We discussed many aspects of his remarkable career. Links to learn more Paul's Website Yamaha Artist Website Faculty Website-Rider   Check out this episode!

About our Interview with: Lisa Alexander, bassoonist, is a solo recitalist and chamber musician in the New York metropolitan area and currently holds positions with The Ridgefield Symphony and The Little Orchestra Society. She is a founding member of the Glickman Ensemble, a bassoon chamber ensemble that has toured the United States and Europe. Ms. Alexander is Adjunct Professor of Bassoon at Hofstra University. She shares with us her career experience, reed making, synthetic reeds and all about Bassoons manufacturers and sound. Links to learn more Glickman Ensemble Website Glickman Ensemble Facebook Page Faculty Website-Hofstra       Check out this episode!

About our Interview with: Chris Fenwick. Chris was the Music Director of the Tony award winning production of FUN HOME, and is currently on staff at City Center as the Music Director of Encores! Off-Center. He sat down with us in the studio after his hugely successful run of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, that starred Jake Gyllenhaal and an all-star cast. Listen in to find out how he chooses to learn rather than panic in stressful situations, and why he as achieved so much so early in his career. Links to learn more Chris Fenwick Encores! Off Center

About our Interview with: Gustavo Romero, concert pianist, professor of piano at the University of North Texas College of Music.  A child prodigy he performed with the New York Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta.  He started to study at the Juilliard School at the age of 14, later graduating with a Bachelor and Master of Music.  We talked about how he was able to make the transition to an adult career, later winning many competitions including the Clara Haskill International Piano Competition.  His continuous passion for the piano allowed and still allows him to be able make changes effortlessly.  We talked about repertoire and his process in chosing and learning his program music, teaching and the legacy of the great pianists Links to learn more Gustavo's Website Gustavo's Facebook Page Faculty Page University of North Texas Film trailer of Gustavo Romero: Portrait in Piano  

About our Interview with: Elad Kabilio, Founder and Artistic Director of MusicTalks shared his ideas that created his concert series. As a Cellist he shared with us the importance of talking to the audience and how this lead to creating his concert series to connect with the younger generation of audience. Links to learn more Elad's Website MusicTalks Website MusicTalks Facebook Page        

About our Interview with: Jeremy Lawrence. He’s a Bistro Award recipient and he sat down with us to chat about his upcoming cabaret: LAVENDER SONGS. Jeremy has teamed up with director Jason Jacobs, and TOSOS to remount this award winning show with a spin that will draw even more parallels to Nazi Germany and today’s political climate. The show features songs written by or performed by queer artists in Weimar era Berlin which have been translated by Jeremy himself. Jeremy started his cabaret career in 1990 with CABERET VERBOTEN at the Mark Taper Forum, and has continued pursing the history of cabaret ever since. Listen in for a history lesson on this fascinating style of performance. Links to learn more Jeremy Lawrence Lavender Songs

About our interview with: Broadway doubler Rick Heckman. Rick and Cast opens Falsettos this fall on Broadway! In our interview, you will learn Rick's long history with the production as well as how he got into this highly competative career back in the 1980s   Broadway.com's Falsettos Page About Falsettos Rick's IBDB page  

About our Interview with: Thomas Boulton. Thomas is a very busy NYC area Freelance Trumpeter. Through his busy schedule, he makes time to teach Privately as well as in the NY Philharmonic's Teaching Artis program. Links to learn more Thomas' Website Thomas' Page on the NY Phile Website NY Philharmonic Teaching Artist Program    

About our Interview with: Elizabeth Earley. Elizabeth Earley is currently a swing in the Broadway production of SOMETHING ROTTEN, and has already been cast in the upcoming production of HELLO DOLLY, which has smashed box office records for ticket sales of a rival. Elizabeth sat down with us to chat about her experience of being a performer, but also to talk about Project Oak Dance Training, a forum she created to help artists achieve more of their potential. Listen in to hear about her beautiful outlook on performing and teaching, and find out why being left handed has helped her “rub elbows” with some very successful individuals. Links to learn more Elizabeth Earley Project Oak Dance Training

About our Interview with: Jason Tramm.  Jason is a passionate conductor and promoter of music with more than a few titles attached to his name.  He tells Kevin and Carol how he keeps himself busy with his passion as well as remaining a dedicated father. Links to learn more Jason's Website Jason's YouTube Channel  

About our Interview with: Ari Afsar. Ari is about to add HAMILTON to her list of credits that is already pretty impressive with American Idol contestant, and Miss California 2010 winner. This week, she will begin her performances as Eliza Hamilton in the Chicago HAMILTON cast. We got to sit down with her during the rehearsal process to discuss this amazing opportunity, and the steps that led to it. We talk about the ups and downs of getting fame at an early age, and why American Idol was both the best and worst experience for her. Also, listen in to this fun interview to find out how she still attended UCLA, even after the university turned her down; it’s a great lesson in tenacity!!! Links to learn more Ari Afsar IMDB HAMILTON Chicago

About our Interview with: Matous Michal one the newest members of the Chicago Symphony’s Second Violin section joined us in the studio to share his journey to getting his first job. We talked about his audition and preparation process and his experience during the first few months with the Chicago Symphony. Links to learn more Article about Matous  

Season Two Wrap-Up The Greenroom Co-Hosts all get together to talk about Seaon 2 and talk aboout whats to come for season 3.