Greenroom Conversations

Alex Bender, freelance Trumpeter joined us in the studio, we started by talking about custom mouthpieces then moved quickly into equipment and how he started playing the trumpet.  He shared his childhood memories of his exposure to music which forged his love for playing all styles of music.  He always knew he wanted to be in New York City playing on Broadway since 8th grade, this goal allowed him to direct his path to his current career.  Being accepted for a Masters in orchestral trumpet at the Manhattan School of Music, and landing a job on a cruise ship at the same time he deferred school for a year and took that year on the cruise ships to study on his own, learning to play jazz, big band and while continuing to studying orchestral excerpts.  We talked about; his current warm-up practices, auditions, focusing on sound, continuing to study with various teachers and networking for jobs on Broadway.    

About our Interview with Producer, Ryan Hugh Mackey. He’s already got a Tony in the bag for his work with A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, but you will have to listen in to find out why he has yet to touch the actual award and why he hasn’t made any money off of it yet. We had Ryan in the studio to start off a multi-part series, The Road to Broadway: From Commission to the Tony’s that will document the ups and downs of producing a show all the way from its infancy to hopefully award season. In this first part, we are introduced to Ryan, a Chicago native who has wanted to produce since age 10. And of course we get introduced to his show, currently titled: EVERLEIGH CLUB, music and lyrics by James Beaton and Storm Large, book by Rinne Groff. Don’t miss this episode as Ryan has great stories about cold calling getting him involved in GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE, as well a deeply honest prospective about being a producer. Links to learn more Ryan Hugh Mackey Productions A photo of Ryan Mackey

Udo Zimmermann, Church Musician, started at age 15 playing the organ in his local church and then made his way to Studium der Kirchenmusik in Rottenburg am Neckar, Germany and later to Frankfurt am Main University becoming a church musician which means studying singing, organ and conducting. He is now head of Church Music (organist) at Pfarrei St. Peter and Paul in Zurich Switzerland. We talked about the path in Germany/Switzerland for a church musician, what they study and the skills they need for their positions. Udo is the Head of Church Music at the Hochschule of Music in Luzern where he teaches liturgical singing and organ playing and the practice of a church musician such as creating music for the mass. We talked about; his own skills of singing, conducting, how he teaches students improvisation at the organ, pipe organs, historical pipe organs, the value of the church tradition in Europe, the choice of traditional and contemporary church music and the hymn tradition of four part singing vs. one line so

Catherine Cho, Musician, Violinist, Teacher, and Performer chatted with us about her teaching and performance focus. As a teacher she focuses on the ‘total person’, ‘how to practice’ and developing a balance in life between practicing and life. From her own experience preparing for competitions she offers her current students a view of the full picture of how to become a well rounded performer and competitor. We talked about the process of learning of undergraduate and graduate student and how she guides her students to becoming independent and finding their own pathway to their careers. As a chamber music coach her focus changes to helping students how to rehearse, how to listen to themselves, listen to each other and how to interact/communicate as a group. We also talked about how she manages her own practice, manages her own career schedule, her family life with fellow musician Todd Phillipps of the Orion String Quartet and how she communicates with parents of young violin students of how to support their

About our Interview with Dan Knechtges:  Dan Knechtges (“connect-us” he graciously explained). Dan is a Tony nominated choreographer, who also loves directing, and could not have been more fun for us to hang out with. He sat down with us in the studio to explain his very “A CHORUS LINE” story of going from a nine year old boy stealing the spot light in his sister’s dance class, to choreographing basement shows to Mozart, to eventually earning a Tony nomination for his work on XANADU. Of course the road is never easy, and Dan has some great stories including what he did after being told he was the worst choreographer ever, and why he was ready to walk away to be a paralegal. Dan has a wealth of knowledge, and gives it out in a very entertaining fashion. Listen in to find out what inspired Bill Finn (while they were working on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) to yell across the theatre, “You’re so gay Knechtges!” Links to learn more DanKnechtges.com   A photo of Dan Knechtges

About our Interview with Max Joseph:  Fresh of his Off Broadway debut, Max sat down with us to chat about his experience in MAD LIBS LIVE at New World Stages. Being no stranger to children shows, Max also talks about one of the toughest experiences in his life being cast in Theatreworks USA’s CURIOUS GEORGE. We really do have a lot of laughs chatting about car totaling wrecks, rendezvous in St. Louis, and of all people: John Cena, an idol of his. Listen in to find out Max’s dream roles, why he no longer thinks he’s bad at improv, and how at heart he’s just a “family man.” Links to learn more Instagram Twitter Facebook Official Website Mad Libs Live   A photo of Max Joseph

Denson Paul Pollard, Bass Trombonist of the MET Opera Orchestra, talked with us about his most recent sabbatical leave to play with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Helsinki Finland. He took the audition after spending a few weeks playing with the orchestra, taking the risk along with 50 other bass trombonists he won the audition. The year was a superb experience, he talked about how the culture in Finland values and supports the arts, and how his experience of auditioning again gave him the opportunity to validate what he tells his students at Juilliard, Bard and Mannes. We talked about; the difference between European and American Conservatory student’s learning focus, what did he learn about himself going through the process of auditioning, the struggle of maintaining the excellent of performance in the MET orchestra given the demands of the schedule, demands of playing the trombone, the learning curve in learning the repertoire, how he relaxes away from his job, the rationale of his youtube channel example

Woodwind Quintet “Windscape” members, Tara Helen O’Connor, Randall Ellis, Alan R. Kay, David Jolley and Frank Morelli joined us for a lively conversations about their collaboration for over two decades of performing. We talked about their start, their first program and how they became associated with the Manhattan School of Music. Known for their thematic programing, they discuss how they; create arrangements, the process in road testing their new arrangements, finding new music, create programs and how to talk to an audience. We also spent time on the mundane logistics of getting five busy people together for rehearsals and how they have learned to rehearse efficiently. Throughout our conversation they focused on the importance of offering great music to audiences and focusing on the audience’s experience. From our conversation you can hear how much “joy” they have working together and their mutual esteem as colleagues allow them to work together so effectively.

About our Interview with French Hornist, Tony Cecere, is a freelancer in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania areas. He has played with the New Jersey Symphony, New Orleans Symphony, American Chamber Players, Bach Choir in Bethlehem, PA., is a current member of the Philadelphia Brass, plays on Broadway and is a substitute with the MET Opera Orchestra. We talked about; his career and vast experience, how his playing has changed along with his career, what the challenges are within different ensembles and how to learn to play in varying acoustics. For students we discussed; the importance of learning ensemble skills, importance of learning how to produce a vocal musical line, and gaining listening skills by listening to recordings and just not one recording but learning how to discriminate the difference between interpretations and style. Our discussion lead to the recording industry past and present and later the workings of being a member of the Philadelphia Brass from arranging music, talking to the audien

About our Interview with Caroline Kaiser. This week we chatted with the former Casting Director/Associate Artistic Director of Theatreworks USA, Caroline Kaiser. Caroline is self professed “musical theatre nerd.” She started out acting and quickly learned she understood the business side of show business for more than she loved the politics of performing. Listen in as she talks about getting her start with Jay Binder Casting, her time at Theatreworks, and what’s next. Caroline is truly a casting director that is “actor positive.” She love working in a community of artists that share the same goals, and she offers some wonderful insight into the audition room that will help actors as well as aspiring casting directors. Oh and for those of you who know Caroline… Henry was there too. Links to learn more Theatreworks USA Florida Studio Theatre A photo of Caroline Kaiser

About our Interview with Composer, arranger, orchestrator and pianist, Miho Hazama joined us in the studio to talk about her path to finding her mix between classical and jazz music. Currently, she is a New York City based jazz composer traveling the world performing her music. Starting as a pianist, her early studies in electronic organ later helped her with orchestration. From the age of 7 she started to study composition and later her interest in jazz started from listening to all types of music and in college hearing a big-band in rehearsal. She shared how she learned to improvise and find a balance between classical and jazz. Her life as a performer-conductor, arranger and composer is a balance that keeps her active and always busy. Recently released, she describes her second album with her jazz chamber orchestra, which includes new instrumentation for jazz music. Links to learn more Miho's Website Miho at Sunnyside Records          

About our Interview with This week we chat with Adam Kantor who is currently in previews of Fiddler On The Roof, playing the role of Motel. Adam talks about the challenges of finding his way in creating a role for an original Broadway revival. He also discusses traveling to Eastern Europe as both a personal journey as well as preparation for bringing more honesty to his portrayal of Motel. We also discuss reminding yourself that “You are enough,” even at times when you don’t feel that way. Adam offers a great example of this during his disastrous put-in rehearsal for his Broadway debut in Rent, when Michael Greif pulled him aside at intermission with some words of encouragement. Adam also discusses the role of mentors on his life, not being above an open call, and how it is good to be, “Always learning, always growing, always getting outside of yourself.” Links to learn more Fiddler On The Roof Broadway.com

About our Interview with Violist David Creswell, talked to us about his path to being a very active freelancer in New York City, from Broadway to the New Philharmonic.  He shares his love of how the viola can be the conduit of so much color in an ensemble and how he followed his career goals to pursue an orchestral career.  Personal connections and auditions lead to him establishing a network and the skills needed to be successful in freelancing.  The pros and cons of a permanent job and the diversity a freelancing career offers (teaching, chamber music, Broadway, orchestra, recordings, pop).  David shares his interest in tuning, teaching, and his teaching of eurhythmics and viola at Juilliard.  While he still takes auditions for jobs, he shares his reasoning on why to take an audition and how he prepares.  We talked about; skills for filling in as a substitute in orchestras, time management skills needed for a freelance career and the priorities that ensures success.   Links to learn more: Eurthythmics Prac

About our Interview with This week we sat down with the incredibly talented and grounded TONY nominated actress, Montego Glover. Listen in as Montego talks about creating a role vs. stepping into a role such as Les Miserable’s Fantine. She also gives a great deal of advise that has helped her succeed including: being “willing to suck” at first, finding YOUR light in auditions-not theirs, and some wisdom passed on from her father… “ Do not let anyone pull you off your path.” Prioritizing and scheduling far in advance has allowed Montego to stay busy with many projects including voiceover work, being a PopsEd Ambassador, and a member of the Kennedy Center Honors Committee. Montego has been one of out most interesting and self-knowledgable guests to date. Links to learn more Montego's Website PopsEd Ambassadors Kennedy Center Honors  

About our Interview with Dean LeBlanc Dean LeBlanc, associate clarinetist at the Metropolitan Opera and freelancer joined us for a lively conversation about so many aspects of clarinet playing. We talked about the various instruments he plays, mouthpieces, C-clarinets, reeds, bells, playing in a section, playing in varying acoustics, barrels, freelancing on Broadway, adjusting to various acoustics and how he started his freelance career. Links to learn more http://www.metorchestramusicians.org/dean-leblanc/ http://www.selmer.fr/musicfiche.php?id=719 http://www.conn-selmer.com/en-us/artist-information/centerstage/artist-roster/dean-leblanc/

About our Interview with This week we chat with Joshua Gonzales who happens to be a cast mate of our very own Ryan Michael Hartman. They both join us in the studio to discuss their experience touring the country in the Theatreworks USA tour Teacher From The Black Lagoon. Listen in as Joshua discusses the unique challenges of being a replacement with very little time to prepare. We also share some good laughs as they recall the ups and downs of traveling the country in a work van and Prius, to entertain kids in a wide range of spaces from beautiful historic theaters, to school room cafeterias. Links to learn more Joshuagonzalesnyc.com Ryanmichaelhartman.com Theatreworks USA

About our Interview with Michelle Baker Michelle Baker, second horn at the Metropolitan Opera for the past 25 years, detailed her job description and her role in the horn section. We talked about the brands of horns the members of the section play, the daily challenges of keeping up the “chops,” her warm up method and daily maintenance plan, how she maintains playing when taking time off and returning to playing, her learning plan for the new seasons repertoire, how to figure out what works best for your own playing, the level of preparation needed for auditions and concerts, what she looks for in choosing students, how to build trust/confidence for concerts or auditions and how she spends her downtime. Links to learn more http://www.metorchestramusicians.org/michelle-baker/http://www.msmnyc.edu/FacultyProfile/FID/1001039790     

About our Interview with Dashaun Young Currently in the 1st national tour of Beautiful, friend of the show Dashaun Young sits down with us in the studio to talk about his journey to Broadway. From his first big breaks, to playing Simba in The Lion King on Broadway, Tour, The West End, and Vegas, Dashaun has built quite an impressive resume and at quite a young age. Listen in for some tips that he feels has been crucial to his success. We also discuss what is next for Dashaun and have a little fun laughing at some great stage blunders he has experienced. Links to learn more Dashaun on Broadwayworld.com

About our Interview with Warren Jones Collaborative Pianist Warren Jones talked with us about his journey to achieving his career. Crucial to this process was his focus early on in his education to choose electives and courses in college that would help him to achieve these goals. We talked about, the difference between accompanying instrumentalists and singers, how music is made, necessary skills for collaborative pianist, how to learn these skills, importance of language skills and he shared many entertaining stories about his career. Links to learn more http://www.warrenjones.com

Greenroom Conversations was excited to welcome such a legendary record producer Max Wilcox into the studio.  In his first interview Max shares with us how he started out in Michigan studying piano and eventually ending up on the other side of the microphone as producer and engineer.  He shares his path from RCA to a freelance recording producer and a few stories from his time as “collaborator” with Arthur Rubinstein for 17 years.