Theo Marks is a luthier and cellist, and in this episode you'll hear about his unique upbringing in a family of musicians, and his personal journey to become a violin-family maker. This was recorded  when luthier Theo Marks was still living outside of Amsterdam. He now lives in Wakefield Quebec and if you're interested in purchasing one of his violins, violas or cellos you can contact him through his website: http://www.theomarks.com/   The beautiful documentary about his brother Paolo Marks, a fellow luthier in West Virginia, is found here: ( In it he demonstrates all the steps of building a violin) https://video.wvpublic.org/video/make... Like all my episodes, this is also a video, with shorter bonus episodes here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e7-s1-theo-marks-luthier Buy me a coffee? (and get access to unique perks) https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

In the 20th and final episode of Season 1  I speak with Arna Einarsdóttir who was at the time  the Managing Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada. In 2022 she accepted a new appointment with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden as their Director of Planning. Previously she was the Managing Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Earlier in her career she worked as a flutist, playing with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra from 2000-2004. In this wide-ranging conversation, Arna's warmth and engagement really come through. It is really interesting to hear her perspectives due to her involvement with the orchestral world in very different roles.  Like all my episodes, this is also a video: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e20-s1-arna-einarsdttir Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!   photo credit: Hilmar Hilmarsson

In Episode 19 Season 1,  I was delighted to welcome the inspiring musician Hooshyar Khayam to my home, to improvise and speak about his perspectives on improvisation, the music of Central Asia, the Middle East and Western Classical music. We speak about some of his beautiful recordings in his large discography, and his creative process. He also speaks about his role as founder and producer of Tehran Records. http://hooshyar-khayam.com/site/   I include one of the improvisations we played as a bonus episode; unfortunately there were some technical issues recording some of the other improvisations we played together. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, linked to bonus episodes as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e19-s1-hooshyar-khayam-pianist-composer-improvisor-producer Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman I'm an independant podcaster and this series costs me a lot. I appreciate your encouragement!

I was honoured to have this opportunity to improvise with Hooshyar Khayam. Unfortunately, we had a few technical issues with recording some of the other improvisations we did before our conversation.  This is a bonus episode as part of my interview with Hooshyar, Episode 19, Season 1 of Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman.  The complete episode, and video, with bonuses is linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e19-s1-hooshyar-khayam-pianist-composer-improvisor-producer http://hooshyar-khayam.com/site/ Please help me keep this series going! Check out my Ko-fi site to leave me a tip: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

I really enjoyed my conversation with the inspiring multi-style violinist Gina Burgess. During the episode she plays a couple of her original tunes, and at the end we did an improv back-and-forth across our Zoom call.  The video and transcript, and Catch-Up episode, are linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e18-s1-gina-burgess-multi-style-violinist Timestamps are below.  Please help me keep this podcast going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!  Gina is a founding member of the Iqaluit-based Arctic rock band The Jerry Cans, is a four-time ECMA award winner with the gypsy-jazz outfit Gypsophilia, she fronts her own klezmer band Der Heisser, is is a regular collaborator in flamenco and Arabic music ensembles.   Gina has toured Europe twice over with Tim Crabtree’s atmospheric ensemble; Paper Beat Scissors, and with folk-pop artist Gabrielle Papillon. Along with The Jerry Cans, Gina has performed and conducted youth workshops in Canada, Australia, Greenland, New Zealand, and Europe.  https://www.ginaburgessmusic.com/ Instagram @ginaburgess.violin Facebook Gina Burgess Music (00:00) Intro (01:27) Green Grass (04:24) pandemic lockdowns, importance of playing for live audience (05:54) Gina’s start in music as a classical violinist (07:59) dealing with injury, playing different styles (11:27) dealing with touring (13:32) music workshops, first trip to Iqualuit, founding the Jerry Cans (17:59) practicing violin in different ways (22:02) teaching music in schools and online, improvisation games (27:47) early experiences as a performing improvisor, learning to enjoy the process (33:52) touring with the Jerry Cans and Gypsophilia, dealing with playing the same music (35:06) Gina’s performance of her song “For D” (39:07) putting together solo album ISNOW (44:41) working with effects pedals and using a looper (46:59) creative process (48:14) duo improv with Leah and Gina photo credit: Jennifer Lane, One Right Lane Photography

After my conversation with Peggy Lee, Cellist, I had the pleasure to play an improvisation with her over our Zoom call. Due to the nature of this style of improvisation, we were able to play at the same time, without the latency affecting things too much. The complete episode with video as well is linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e17-s1-peggy-lee-cellist-improvisor-composer Leave me a tip? This podcast needs your help! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Photo credit: Rita Taylor

I speak with the innovative cellist, improvisor and composer Peggy Lee, who is a band-leader and sought-after collaborator in Vancouver, Canada. Peggy collaborates frequently with  Ron Samworth and Tony Wilson  and with her husband, drummer Dylan van der Schyff, as well as with many other longtime musical associates including Dave Douglas, Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, Veda Hille and Lisa Miller. She also leads or co-leads a number of musical projects: The Peggy Lee Band, Film in Music, Waxwing (with Tony Wilson and Jon Bentley) and Beautiful Tool (with Mary Margaret O’Hara).    She has also collaborated extensively in theatre and dance with companies and artists such as Ruby Slippers, Rumble Theatre, Presentation House, David Hudgins, Peter Bingham and Delia Brett.   In 2005, Peggy received the Freddie Stone Award for integrity and innovation in music and in 2010 she was awarded a Jesse Richardson Theatre Award for outstanding composition.    http://www.peggylee.net/about-peggy.html  The original video versions of this series are here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYOGF0ZHOdI0236QiDT_SGzUdALNXW06z As a bonus episode, you can hear me play a free improvisation with her.  photo credit: Rita Taylor

Alicia Svigals kindly agreed to to play a couple of improvisations with me, after my fascinating interview with her. Here's the first. The full episode is here, both podcast and video with bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e15-s1-alicia-svigals-klezmer-violinist-and-composer Buy me a coffee? This series costs me a lot; I could use the help and encouragement of a tip! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Photo credit: Thierry Arsenault

This was the second little improv I had the opportunity to play with the great klezmer musician Alicia Sviagas. Please check out the complete episode for our conversation, both podcast and video: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e15-s1-alicia-svigals-klezmer-violinist-and-composer Buy me a coffee? This podcast needs your help! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

I was honoured to speak with one of the world's foremost Klezmer musicians. Alicia Svigals was a founding member of the Grammy-winning Klezmatics,  she also played a major role in the revival  of klezmer fiddling, which had been on the brink of extinction until she recorded her debut album Fidl in the 1990’s. Alicia is so engaging both as a player and conversationalist, and she's full of stories from her life and career. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, with bonus episodes linked as well: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e15-s1-alicia-svigals-klezmer-violinist-and-composer Buy me a coffee? This series could use your help: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! Below are links to some of the projects we discuss in the interview, as well as the link to her website, where you can find current performances and other projects:  https://aliciasvigals.com/home   Beregovski Suite album - https://uligeissendoerfer.bandcamp.com/album/beregovski-suite The Ancient Law DVD - https://www.amazon.com/Ancient-Law-Alte-Gesetz-Blu-ray/dp/B07BC6JZ64 City Without Jews DVD. https://www.amazon.com/City-Without-Flicker-Alley-Blu-ray/dp/B089774K24 Beregovski sheet music:  https://www.amazon.com/Old-Jewish-Folk-Music-Collections/dp/0815628684  Photo credit: Thierry Arsenault

Subhadra loves to teach people about the Indianisation of the violin, and in this conversation  we get to hear her beautiful playing quite a bit, as she plays and demonstrates some of the guiding principles of the Carnatic style. She teaches both online and in her studio in Mississauga (in the Greater Toronto Area) Canada.  Like all my episodes, this is also a video: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e14-s1-subhadra-vijaykumar-carnatic-violinist-and-educator To study or perform with Subhadra, and for more information about her:   https://www.rcmusic.com/bios/subhadra-vijaykumar Radha Academy of Carnatic Violin | Facebook Buy me a coffee? Check out my Ko-fi page to leave me a tip and find out about perks: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! I'm an independant podcaster who could really use your encouragement.

I had lots of fun trying a creative improvisation with Ellen Waterman.  This video is a bonus connected with our conversation, Episode 13 Season 1 Because of this style of improv, we were able to play at the same time, but unfortunately Zoom sometimes silenced a quieter voice. The complete episode, both video and podcast: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e13-s1-ellen-waterman-flutist-scholar-improvisor http://www.ellenwaterman.ca/ Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! This was recorded July 21, 2021 over Zoom.  

In this wide-ranging conversation with Ellen Waterman we discuss her career  and perspectives, both as a creative improvisor with flute and voice, and as a scholar.   At the end treats us to a solo improv. She was appointed to the inaugural Helmut Kallmann Chair for Music in Canada at Carleton University in 2019 where she is developing a research program committed to investigating issues of diversity and decolonization of music in Canada through scholarship, research creation, and experiential learning. Video and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e13-s1-ellen-waterman-flutist-scholar-improvisor http://www.ellenwaterman.ca/ https://carleton.ca/music/people/ellen-waterman/ Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman This was recorded July 21, 2021 via Zoom Photo credit: Michael Waterman

I was extremely new at any kind of improvisation when this was recorded, and I was delighted when Roddy Ellias agreed to try some improv with me across  our Zoom call (it's impossible to play in sync on Zoom, so it's mostly call-and-response). Please listen to my conversation with Roddy here; both podcast and video versions are linked with bonuses and transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e12-s1-roddy-ellias-guitarist-and-composer https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman photo credit: Evan Shaw

Jazz guitarist and composer Roddy Ellias talks to me about his creative process, artistic development, some current and past projects, reflections on the pandemic and more.  In a separate bonus to this episode, we play an improvisation. On my podcast website you'll find the link to the video, bonuses, and the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e12-s1-roddy-ellias-guitarist-and-composer Roddy's recordings, performances and teaching studio are  linked on his website here: https://www.roddyellias.com/ Peggy White guitars: https://www.peggywhite.ca/ I need help to keep this going! Please take a look at my Ko-fi to leave me a tip: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!  Photo credit: Evan Shaw Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:05) These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (06:20) Peggy White guitar (09:32) classical and jazz worlds (11:13) Roddy’s early development as a musician, playing with Lew Kirton, The Sceptres, touring the States (17:27) Le Hibou coffehouse Lenny Breau and other legends (19:45) Teaching composition and jazz (22:37) martial arts and music, getting into the zone (27:48) performing on Syncspace Live (30:37) Sleeping Rough puppet opera and composition process

Hi! I’m a violinist and my podcast Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman follows my curiosity about fellow musicians: how did they get to where they are today, what are their perspectives on a life in music?James Ehnes is known internationally as one of the foremost violin soloists. He’s a GRAMMY winner who’s created over 60 acclaimed albums. I was honoured to speak at length with James Ehnes about his career, collaborations, current projects, and his approach with practice and preparation for concerts. Timestamps are below.  The video version is linked here, with transcript and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e11-s1-james-ehnes Please follow the podcast and be notified of all the new episodes. I could really use some help and encouragement! Please leave me a tip here: https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:38) 2021 recordings Ysaye, Bach, Beethoven quartets (09:40) Ehnes String Quartet history (14:00) Seattle Chamber Music Society (19:40) solo Bach, different recording and performances (29:35) pacing yourself, importance of run-throughs (31:20) Paganini (34:50) repertoire choices, getting pigeon-holed as a performer (38:10) childhood in Brandon, Francis Chaplin, Sally Thomas, Meadowmount, Donald Henry (45:25) learning process, pace of preparation, rotation of repertoire (52:20) advice for music students (54:55) Intonation (59:30) Bramwell Tovey (01:04:05) Andrew Armstrong photo credit: Benjamin Ealovega

Aaron Schwebel and I had fun for about 5 minutes, as he said doing a "free association game".  We filmed this across Zoom, in different cities, and during a strict lockdown in our province in Canada.  Moments like this can really help with a feeling of connection - and for classical players like us, it's really freeing to try to  play freely like this.  Here's the link for the full episode, both podcast and video: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e10-s1-aaron-schwebel-violinist Buy me a cup to tea? This podcast needs help! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! photo credits: Bo Huang for Aaron and Curtis Perry for Leah

In tandem to my conversation with Aaron, Episode 10 Season 1, as  part of my "Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman" series, he agreed to play this beautiful third movement from Bach's incredible Third Solo Sonata. The complete episode is here, both video and podcast, linked to the bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e10-s1-aaron-schwebel-violinist Aaron Schwebel  currently holds the positions of Concertmaster with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and Associate Concertmaster with the Canadian Opera Company. Schwebel is a member of the LARK ensemble and Rosebud String Quartet, and is founder/artistic director of Echo Chamber Toronto, a series that merges chamber music and contemporary dance. We talk about his many and varied experiences, in terms of his development and his career. Buy me a coffee? Let's keep this series going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman photo credit: Bo Huang

I really enjoyed this conversation with the wonderful violinist Aaron Schwebel who spoke with a lot of insight about so many interesting and important topics (timestamps are listed below). Aaron  currently holds the positions of Concertmaster with the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra and Associate Concertmaster with the Canadian Opera Company. Schwebel is a member of the LARK ensemble and Rosebud String Quartet, and is founder/artistic director of Echo Chamber Toronto, a series that merges chamber music and contemporary dance. We talk about his many and varied experiences, in terms of his development and his career. In separate bonus episodes you can hear him play some solo Bach, and we also do a little improv back and forth across the Zoom platform. The video version is linked here, with the transcript and bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e10-s1-aaron-schwebel-violinist Would you consider leaving me a tip? This podcast needs help and encouragement! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks! https://www.aaronschwebelviolin.com/ Timestamps: (00:00) Intro and some of Aaron’s projects (02:53) love of string quartet playing, London Quartet Competition (10:53) effects of the pandemic shutdowns (13:59) Aaron’s way of practicing (15:13) role as Concertmaster (17:55) singing lessons (18:41) Muay Thai classes (20:00) musicians' lives: balancing work, social life (21:01) pandemic experience affecting priorities (24:44) amateur and professional musicians (27:24) summer music festivals Domaine Forget, NYO (29:43) keeping performances fresh, Nutcracker ballet (31:15) McGill University music program and Indiana University Bloomington Music (33:23) teaching photo credit: Bo Huang

Free improvisation was very new to both of us when we recorded this, but we had fun with this little back-and-forth across Zoom. This is a bonus episode connected to my fascinating interview with Karen, Episode 9 Season 1.  All the links are here, video version, full episode, bonuses and links to Karen : https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s1-karen-donnelly-trumpet-player https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for helping me keep this podcast going! photo credit: Fred Cattroll

Karen Donnelly is the Principal Trumpet player of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, and a well-known educator. In this episode, we get to hear Karen's beautiful playing, and I talk to her about her background, her work with the Canadian Women's Brass Collective , some of her unique outreach work and her resilient practice routine! There's also a bonus episode in this playlist on this channel in which you can hear us do a free improvisation. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and you'll find the bonus episodes linked here as well as the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e9-s1-karen-donnelly-trumpet-player https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for checking out my Ko-fi support page - I'm an indenpendant podcaster and this series costs me a lot of time and money. I appreciate any help you can offer - and monthly supporters get access to unique perks!  https://canadianwomensbrasscollective...Here's Karen in a fanfare she wrote: https://youtu.be/srJjP1VHNjg https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/karen-donnelly https://arts.uottawa.ca/music/people/... Photo credit: Fred Cattroll

I was thrilled to have this fascinating conversastion with virtuoso violinist Kerson Leong, who is as eloquent in his musicality as in the way he talks about music and violin playing. I trust that a broad audience will take inspiration from this wide-ranging discussion. At the beginning, we are treated to an impromptu performance of Ysayë's Allemande from Violin Sonata no. 4. This conversation was recorded June 15, 2021 over Zoom. Kerson has many upcoming performances, all of which can be found on his website here: https://kersonleong.com/ Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and you'll find the transcript linked here as well as bonus episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e8-s1-kerson-leong-violinist Buy me a coffee? I need your help to keep this series going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

After my conversation with Alexis Chartrand, during which we are treated to 3 of his poetic interpretations of traditional tunes, he agreed to do a little improvisation with me. The full episode, both video and podcast with bonuses and transcript linked here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e5-s1-alexis-chartrand-fiddler Buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

Here's a little back-and-forth improv I did with erhu player Patty Chan!  The full episode, both video and podcast, linked here with bonus episodes as well as the transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e4-s1-patty-chan-erhu https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for your support of this unique podcast!

In this conversation with Patty Chan, erhu player and educator, we get to hear the sounds of many different types of erhus and learn a lot about traditional Chinese music. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and the bonus episodes and transcript are all linked: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e4-s1-patty-chan-erhu https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks for helping me keep this unique series going! Centre for Music Innovations: https://musinno.com; Toronto Chinese Orchestra: www.TorontoChineseOrchestra.com; YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzHG...XMA Header Image Centre for Music Innovations – Curating and exploring contemporary works for Chinese instruments and orchestras musinno.com photo credit: SG Won

I speak with Yosuke Kawasaki, the wonderful Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada (of which I am a member). He talks about the challenges of staying grounded during this pandemic,  his experiences studying with Dorothy Delay at both Julliard and Aspen festival, the inspriation he found in many of his peers growing up, and the conversation circles around to his role as concertmaster, and advice for young colleagues playing auditions. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and the transcript and bonus episodes are also here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e3-s1-yosuke-kawasaki Buy me a coffee? I could really use your help and encouragement to keep this unique podcast going! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Below is a link to Yosuke's chamber music festival in Japan, about which he speaks during our conversation.  The site is in Japanese but an English one should follow shortly. https://www.affinis.or.jp/summer_j/in... https://nac-cna.ca/en/bio/yosuke-kawa... photo credit: Rémi Thériault

After my conversation with Carissa, we did this little back-and-forth improvisation across Zoom. Like all my episodes, this is also a video, and this link brings you to the full episode, bonuses, and transcript: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/e2-s1-carissa-klopoushak https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!