Brandon Pearce is the founder of Music Teacher’s Helper, a website that does just that - it helps music teachers organize, schedule and receive payments for music lessons, and so much more. From the proceeds of his company, Brandon lives a remarkable life, traveling around the world full time with his family, free of material possessions and with the luxury of time to ponder life’s beauty and mysteries.
We’re continuing our special series on Musical Entrepreneurs, and I’m so excited to share one of the most fascinating interviews to date. Classically trained pianist Brandon Pearce started out juggling a small studio of piano students and a full time job while raising a young family. To solve some of his own problems as a piano teacher, Brandon created Music Teacher’s Helper, which then went on to grow into a business that gave him the opportunity to live and think outside the box. WAY outside the box. We’re talking about leaving a full time job, selling all his possessions, leaving the country and living around the world with only what he and his family could carry. In the process, he made some important discoveries that turned his world upside down. This is one of the most thought-provoking interviews I’ve conducted so far, and I really appreciate Brandon’s openness and transparency in sharing his remarkable story.
Links
Brandon's Family Blog, "Pearce On Earth" - http://pearceonearth.com/
Brandon's Music Page on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/brandags
Facebook Groups
Families who love travel
https://www.facebook.com/groups/familieswholovetravel/
Families on the move
https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfamilies/
World schoolers
https://www.facebook.com/groups/worldschoolers/
House Sitting Sites
https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/ca/
WWOOF Organic Farm Work Exchange
http://wwoofinternational.org/
Tim Topham is a prolific blogger and host of the Tim Topham TV piano teaching podcast, a resource for piano teachers looking for creative ways to teach and engage their students. Tim’s writing and training courses have been featured in several music journals and publications, and he regularly speaks at local and international music conferences.
Tim and I have connected several times over the years, beginning back when I was working at AirTurn. Tim has created some amazing resources for piano teachers looking for innovative ways to instill excitement and creativity in their students, including courses for teaching pop piano, articles on integrating technologies like iPad apps into pedagogy, and now a special online community for piano teachers called The Inner Circle. Tim has been kind enough to feature me twice on his wonderful podcast, Tim Topham TV, so now it’s my pleasure to return the favor.
Links
Tim's website: https://timtopham.com/
Tim Topham TV Podcast: https://timtopham.com/tim-topham-tv-piano-teaching-podcast/
Inner Circle Community for Piano Teachers: https://members.timtopham.com/inner-circle/join-the-community/
Piano Flix course for teaching pop piano: https://timtopham.com/pianoflix/teaching-pop-video-1/
Kerry Muzzey is the composer for “The Seer”, a new documentary by director Laura Dunn and executive producers Robert Redford and Terrence Malick that just premiered at the 2016 SXSW film festival. Kerry’s music has also been heard on TV shows like “Glee”. His 2014 album, “The Architect”, debuted at #5 on both the Billboard Classical and Contemporary Classical charts.
We’re continuing our special series on Musical Entrepreneurs with film and modern classical composer Kerry Muzzey. If you’re a composer looking to make a living from your compositions, then you’re going to really enjoy listening to Kerry’s story. One of the most remarkable things about Kerry is the fact that he actually left a well-paying corporate job at MTV Networks in New York City to become a full-time composer. The way he did it, and the way he was able to get his music into TV and film, is very insightful. Kerry’s music is full of atmosphere and intimate passion, perfectly suited for telling stories on the big screen.
Links
Kerry Muzzey's Website: http://kerrymuzzey.com/
The Seer Film Website: http://www.theseerfilm.com/
"The Case Against 8" HBO documentary featuring the music of Blake Neely: http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/the-case-against-8
Music Licensing Libraries: http://musiclibraryreport.com
Singer/songwriter Dave Tamkin hails from Chicago and currently lives in Boulder, CO. His music can be described as “rhythmic acoustic rock” and features lyrics that capture a passionate sincerity and poetic exploration of modern life. As an expert on Internet marketing, Dave helps musicians and music companies - like AirTurn - share their message to the world.
We’re continuing our series on musical entrepreneurs with singer/songwriter and Internet marketing master Dave Tamkin. I first met Dave when I was working at AirTurn. We needed help getting our Internet marketing to the next level, and that’s where Dave applied his magic through his consulting company, Head Above Music. I then learned that Dave is an extraordinarily talented singer and songwriter, and absolutely fell in love with his unique musical style that’s instantly relatable. If you’re a musician looking for ways to grow your fan base, then you’ll find Dave’s insights and practical advice as both musician and marketer really helpful. And getting back to Dave’s musical hat, his newest song, “Mary”, has just been released this month.
Links
Dave's Website: http://www.davetamkin.com/
Head Above Consulting: http://headaboveconsulting.com/
Dave's music on Bandcamp: http://davetamkin.bandcamp.com/
Time for Three is made up of Violinists Nick Kendall and Nikki Chooi and Double Bassist Ranaan Meyer, and can probably be best described as a “classically trained garage band”. With an exciting mix of originals, covers and classical music with a capital 'T' “Twist”, these guys have electrified audiences around the world and were recently featured on a PBS special performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
We’re starting a special series of episodes that focus on entrepreneurial musicians who think way outside the box. I’m so excited to have Time for Three on the show to help me kick this off. I recently met up with Nick, Nikki, and Ranaan after one of their jam session rehearsals at The Curtis Institute of Music. Nikki Chooi, by the way, is the newest addition to Time for Three, having replaced co-founder Zach DePue, who is currently the concertmaster of the Indianapolis Symphony.
Links
Time For Three's Website: http://www.tf3.com/
Time For Three on PBS: http://www.tf3.com/#!national-pbs-broadcast/q0o1q
Jasmine Choi has been hailed by Sinfini magazine as “one of the 10 greatest flutists in history”. As the last student of the legendary flutist Julius Baker, Jasmine is known for her gorgeous tone, dazzling technique, and boundless creativity.
I’ve known Jasmine Choi ever since she was a student at The Curtis Institute of Music, studying under the legendary flute teacher Julius Baker. Since graduating from Curtis and Juilliard, Jasmine has had an incredible career and gained a devoted worldwide following. Her passion for her music has helped her overcome a number of difficult circumstances, and her creativity has helped her reshape her own career in remarkable ways.
Links
Jasmine's Website: http://www.jasminechoi.com/
Crystal Mangano is the composer for “Asperger’s Are Us”, a new documentary that follows the story of the first comedy troupe made up of people with Asperger’s syndrome. What makes Crystal’s education unique is the fact that she actually double majored in both film and composition, giving her a deep perspective when it comes to providing music to film and television projects.
With the 2016 SxSW festival behind us, we’re wrapping up our look at some wonderful composers who contributed to some amazing films that premiered there. Crystal currently resides in Los Angeles, and works as a music editor for several films and television shows. What does a music editor do? Well, you’re about to find out!
Links
Crystal Mangano's Website: http://www.crystalmangano.com/
Asperger's Are Us on IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4109268/
Legativity Music: http://www.legativity.com/Home.html
Sage Lewis is a composer who uses his music to explore multiple relationships between electronic and acoustic sounds, virtual and physical reality, as well as cultural divides and bridges. Sage is the composer for the new film, “Operator”, as well as the groundbreaking virtual reality piece “The Surrogate”, both of which just premiered at the 2016 SXSW festival in Austin, TX.
SXSW is one of the biggest festivals for film, music, technology, and interactive media, held every mid-March in Austin, TX. My guest, Sage Lewis, has composed music for two projects that explore different facets of our relationships with technology. In addition, Sage has written music for Google, Facebook, and Maiyet, a New York based fashion brand. He also has a passion for Cuba, and has stated in his bio that he hopes to eventually become the ambassador to Cuba, after he’s finished scoring films for 20 more years.
Links
Sage Lewis' Website: http://sagelewismusic.com/
"Operator": https://twitter.com/operatorfilm
"The Surrogate": http://www.flahertypictures.com/surrogate/
South by SouthWest (SxSW): http://www.sxsw.com/
Maiyet Italy Shows Video: https://vimeo.com/37256736
"Far Away" collaborative/virtual performance with Cuban and American childrens' choirs: http://sagelewismusic.com/#!far-away-performance
If you’ve seen an episode of the hit BBC detective show “Luther” starring Idris Elba, then you’ve heard the powerful music of Paul Englishby. Paul is also the composer for “The Musketeers”, another hit BBC television series, and has written music for several productions of the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as for such movies as “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day” and the 2009 Oscar-nominated film, “An Education”.
Music brings movies and television shows to life, and in the skilled craftsmanship of a master composer, music can also add a powerful layer of commentary on the stories presented on the screen. Paul Englishby displays a remarkable versatility in the dazzling array of genres he works in and creates. After you listen to this remarkable interview, I promise you’ll never watch a movie or TV show the same way again!
Links
Paul Englishby's Website - http://www.englishby.com/
The Royal Shakespeare Company's "King and Country" tour at The Brooklyn Academy of Music - http://www.bam.org/theater/2016/king-and-country-shakespeares-great-cycle-of-kings
"Pinocchio" by The National Ballet of Canada - http://national.ballet.ca/Productions/2016-17-Season/Pinocchio
What do you wear to a symphony concert? When do you clap? And why is the timpani player smelling his drums? If you’ve never been to a classical music concert, it can be a bit intimidating the very first time you go to one. There seems to be a whole world of etiquette and protocol that can make the experience seem - well, aloof and elitist, at least in some people’s eyes. Orchestras and arts administrators are keenly aware of how important it is to make classical music more accessible to grow future audiences, and in some cases are trying to think of ways to do away with some of the traditional conventions. But for Violinist Holly Mulcahy, the "Queen of Classical Music Culture", these rituals and rules of etiquette are part of what makes the classical music concert so special, and a deeper understanding of them can serve to enhance one’s experience in a concert hall, making it much more memorable and enjoyable. Holly maintains a busy schedule as concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and as a soloist and chamber musician. She is also the author of Neo Classical, a blog that discusses the future of classical music, and helps to demystify the culture of classical music in a warm, witty, and welcoming way.
Links
Holly Mulcahy's website: http://www.hollymulcahy.com/
Holly's blog Neo Classical: http://www.insidethearts.com/neoclassical/
Bowing for Mahlers; decisions on bowing directions: http://www.insidethearts.com/neoclassical/2015/09/bowing-for-mahlers/
The Higdon Cocktail: http://www.insidethearts.com/neoclassical/2015/02/concerto-in-cocktail-form/
Holly's article on happiness as a musician: http://www.insidethearts.com/neoclassical/2014/02/happiness-quantified-humanist-qualified/
Blog article on Holly's upcoming performance at the Walker State Faith and Character Based Prison in Georgia: http://www.insidethearts.com/neoclassical/2016/02/medium-security-maximum-benefit/
Demarre McGill is one of the leading young American flutists of our time. Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Demarre has been a sought after soloist and chamber musician. He is also the co-founder of The Art of Élan, an innovative chamber music organization in San Diego that introduces new audiences to classical music in unique venues and programs.
I’ve known Demarre ever since his student days at Curtis, studying under Julius Baker and Jeffrey Khaner. He was amazing from the get go, and it’s been no surprise to see his stratospheric rise to the top of the classical music world. Demarre has appeared as soloist with several of the top orchestras in the US, worked as principal flutist with several others, collaborated in chamber music around the world, and has made multiple television appearances on PBS, A&E, NBC, and even Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.
Links
Demarre McGill's Website - http://demarremcgill.com
Art of Élan - http://artofelan.org/
Dallas Symphony Orchestra - https://www.mydso.com/
Merit School of Music in Chicago - http://meritmusic.org/
The Curtis Institute of Music - http://www.curtis.edu
What if you could design the perfect summer music camp? Sandy Marcucci wanted to do just that for her daughter studying the violin with Kim Fisher from the Philadelphia Orchestra, so she started literally in her own backyard. Now, 20 years later, the Philadelphia International Music Festival has become a major destination for hundreds of students around the world, who get to study with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Most summer music camps have a selective audition process which prospective students need to pass in order to attend. This summer, I’ll be one of the piano directors at the Philadelphia International Music Festival, which takes place on the beautiful campus of Bryn Mawr University. One of the things that makes PIMF so unique is that fact that it’s open to music students of all ages and ability levels. Its audition process is used to customize the student’s experience rather than select them. The result is a welcoming experience where everyone is immersed in classical music and given the opportunity to make their own best progress with the help of master teachers from the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Links
The Philadelphia International Music Festival: http://philadelphiamusicfestival.org/
The Philadelphia Orchestra: https://philorch.org/
Vera Wilson is the founder and president of Astral, an arts organization in Philadelphia that has helped to launch the careers of classical music superstars such as pianist Simone Dinnerstein, Grammy award-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux, and the classical crossover group Time for Three.
For young classical musicians, the path from conservatory to career can be a daunting one. Vera Wilson, my guest for this episode, sought to provide a unique service to help the most talented musicians through her visionary organization, Astral. Now in its 24th year, Astral has become a vital Philadelphia institution, providing concerts, community outreach and education programs, as well as invaluable training and support for their carefully selected roster of artists.
Musical Selections
Time for Three: "Thunder Stomp" by Ranaan Meyer
Jason Vieaux, Guitar: Agustin Barrios Waltz, Op. 8, No. 4
Simone Dinnerstein, Piano: J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations; Aria
Links
Astral's website: http://astralartists.org
Astral's National Auditions info: http://www.astralartists.org/auditions/how-to-apply/
Email: astral@astralartists.org
Phone: 215-735-6999
If you're interested in becoming a supporter or patron of Astral, email Vera directly at vera@astralartists.org
Dr. Kavanaugh is the author of several books that deal with faith and the arts, such as “Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers”. As a composer himself, he has a fascinating specialty that expands the musical language as most folks know it. Dr. Kavanaugh came to music relatively late, and his first exposure to the world of classical music will really surprise you!
In addition to his books and compositions, Dr. Kavanaugh is the founder and artistic director of the Masterworks Festival, an intensive four-week summer festival for advanced and passionate students of the classical performing arts with a Christian perspective. In this interview, we explore the question of "why" we make music, and the special role that faith can play in an artist's life.
Links
The Masterworks Festival https://masterworksfestival.org/
Christian Performing Arts Fellowship http://www.christianperformingart.org/
Jennifer Higdon is one of the most performed living American composers today. She taught herself to play the flute at the age of 15, wrote her first composition when she was 21, then eventually went on to win the Pulitzer prize for her violin concerto in 2010. She recently completed her first opera, “Cold Mountain”, which was premiered by the Santa Fe Opera in 2015 and is being performed in Philadelphia this week.
Jennifer Higdon and I have known each other since we were classmates at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Over the years it’s been such an honor and a delight to perform so many of her works - in fact, I even helped her record her very first album, Rapid Fire, way back in 1995. Despite all the well-deserved accolades Jennifer has received for her incredible compositions, she remains one of the sweetest, most genuine and down-to-earth persons I know.
In this special interview, Jennifer tells the stories behind some of her most popular compositions, and shares some practical insights into what it takes to be able to make a full-time living as a composer today.
Links
Jennifer's Website: http://jenniferhigdon.com
Info on ordering Jennifer's music: http://jenniferhigdon.com/contact.html
French flautist Julien Beaudiment has enjoyed a remarkable career, having been appointed principal flute of the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon when he was still a student at age 22, as well as being the only French flautist to have held a principal position at a major British Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
This past November, I had the wonderful privilege of performing together with Julien Beaudiment at the Riverside Cathedrale in New York, presented by SKP Consulting and Management. Right after rehearsing for the concert, I had a chance to sit down with Julien for an intimate conversation. In 2013, Julien became the principal flute of the LA Philharmonic, but then left abruptly in 2015, citing personal reasons. In this special interview, Julien shares the reasons why he left LA and returned to his principal position at the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon.
Links
Jeffrey Biegel is a pianist who truly thinks outside the box. Not only is he an incredible musician with astounding technique, but he also has an innovative approach to his career and is one of the most prolific recording artists and champions of new music from contemporary composers and even pop stars like Keith Emerson, Neil Sedaka, Billy Joel, and Peter Tork from the Monkees.
Ever since winning first prize in the 1985 William Kappell competition, pianist Jeffrey Biegel has been an unstoppable musical phenomenon. “Prolific” doesn’t even begin to describe his artistic output - Jeffrey plays everything, from traditional classical repertoire to brand new works from new and established composers. Jeffrey has pioneered the idea of creating consortiums of orchestras to help create and perform these new compositions.
Links
Manhattan Intermezzo, featuring new concertos by Neil Sedaka, Keith Emerson, and "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin
Most folks can't wait for Friday's to get out of their day jobs and do something else. But for the musicians and music lovers of the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, music is a way of life, and you'll find them gathered together every Friday night reading through symphony orchestra works just for fun.
On a cold Friday night in winter, associate producer Allison Pokras and I visited Presser Hall on the campus of Temple University to sit in on one of the weekly reading sessions of the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, one of the oldest community orchestras of its kind in the USA. The Orchestra Society of Philadelphia was founded in 1964 by Morris Goldman and Sidney Rothstein as a place where professional musicians, teachers, students and a wide variety of folks with varying "day jobs" could get together to read through various symphonic orchestral music under the baton of a rotating roster of conductors.
Links
At the end of my interview with classical music radio host Jill Pasternak, we decided to have a bit of fun and turn the tables where Jill interviewed - me! How strange to have a show where I'm my own guest!
So - here's my "official" bio:
Pianist Hugh Sung started to learn to play the piano with his mother at the age of 3. At the age of 13, Hugh entered The Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Eleanor Sokoloff, Jorge Bolet, and Seymour Lipkin. Hugh teaches piano to hundreds of students online through ArtistWorks, a website that features video lessons from some of the world's leading musicians. His passion for technology led to him co-founding AirTurn, a company that creates digital accessories for musicians like the DUO page turning pedals for tablets and computers.
Links
Hugh's Website (www.hughsung.com)
Hugh's Online Popular Piano School at ArtistWorks (www.artistworks.com/hugh-sung)
How to play "Clair de lune" from Scratch https://youtu.be/QczTcXvEC7o?list=PL23BA4D8592904FB0
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Listen to my interview with Jill Pasternak