Off The Podium

Ep. 85: Eugene Izotov, oboist Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Eugene Izotov is one of today's leading wind players, internationally renowned for his “fiery Russian temperament” (Boston Globe), “ravishing playing” (Washington Post), and "luminous beauty of tone” (San Francisco Chronicle). Appointed by Michael Tilson Thomas in 2014, Eugene Izotov is the principal oboist of the San Francisco Symphony. He previously served as the principal oboist of the Metropolitan Opera, appointed by James Levine, and principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony, appointed by Daniel Barenboim. He has appeared as guest principal oboist with Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, and New York Philharmonic. In this podcast we talk about his musical training, principal positions in major orchestras, and passion for teaching. He also talks about oboe concertos, Russian orchestras, his teaching philosophy, tuning, reeds, inspirational artists and much more! For more information about Eugene Izotov please visit his official webs

Ep. 84: Roger Bobo, tubist. Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Roger Bobo was the principal tubist of the LA Phil (25 years) and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He is the first tubist to perform a solo recital at the Carnegie Hall and make an appearance on the Johnny Carson Show (twice). In this podcast we talk about his career, collaborations with legendary conductors, his historic Carnegie Hall recital and appearances on the Johnny Carson Show. Bobo tells stories about working with Zubin Mehta and Igor Stravinsky. We also talk about his sabbatical year during his tenure with the LA Phil and his teaching journey in Italy, Japan, Mexico and around the world. Bobo also discusses the importance of self motivation for young musicians and the obsession needed to succeed in the highly competitive field. Bobo is a passionate writer and blogger. For more information about Roger Bobo please visit his official website: http://www.rogerbobo.com/   © Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 83: Vijay Iyer, pianist and composer Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan In this podcast. Vijay talks about his early violin studies, playing in a youth orchestra, composing for classical musicians and his first orchestral work. We also talk about music during Covid-19 and hope for the future. Vijay also talks about Michael Jackson, Prince, Thelonious Monk, Elvin Jones, Butch Morris and many other inspirational figures and collaborators. Lastly, we talk about career and life balance as well his passion for science fiction. For more information about Vijay Iyer please visit his official website: https://vijay-iyer.com/   © Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 82: Yaniv Attar, conductor Conductor Yaniv Attar works with professional and community orchestras in WA and PA. In this podcast we talk about his early start in guitar, journey to the Juilliard School and passion that led him to a successful conducting career. We also discuss balancing a busy life in music and family, programming for various orchestras, as well as the positive and negative impact that music organizations will face post Covid-19.  Yaniv also talks about the Harmony from Discord series, which programs powerful music that originated from and flourished in spite of the Holocaust. Lastly, we talk about the meaning of a successful conducting career, advice to young conductors and a special story from a masterclass with Kurt Masur.  For more information about Yaniv Attar please visit his official website: https://www.yanivattar.com/  

Ep. 81: Alexy Shant Yeghikian, guitarist Guitarist Alexy Shant Yeghikian talks about growing up in Glendale, CA and the transformation that the city went through in the past few decades. He also talks about his studies at Cal Arts and the unusual path to acceptance. Alexy talks about the formation of Yeghikian, his rock n roll band which will be releasing a second album. The band's music was featured in the American Dad! animated sitcom. Lastly, Alexy talks about his passion for soccer and chess. Follow Alexy Shant Yeghikian on Facebook and Instagram.

Ep. 80: Abbie Naze, conductor Conductor Abbie Naze talks about her journey as a young cellist in North Dakota to connecting with her Norwegian heritage in Norway. We also discuss her cello studies and the transition to studying conducting and living in Seattle.  Abbie talks about the differences and similarities in orchestral and choral conducting, passion for Grieg, swimming, the meaning of success, life/work balance, and much more! For more information about Abbie Naze please visit her official website: https://www.abbienaze.com/  

Ep. 79: Vahagni, guitarist and composer   Vahagni talks about his start in music, the encouragement of his father who was a professional guitarist and his passion for Flamenco. We also talk about his numerous multi-genre projects, collaborations, hobbies, and differences in classical and flamenco guitar. Vahagni also discusses his passion for combining Flamenco, Armenian music, jazz and classical to bring forth a new sound to the world of music. Fascinating conversation with an extraordinary artist. For more information about Vahagni visit his official website: https://www.vahagni.com/  

Ep. 78: Harlan Glotzer, Piano Technician, Luthier and Musician.   Harlan Glotzer talks about his passion for building and repairing instruments, love for the bandoneon, and toy pianos. He talks about his approach to building instruments and his unique perspective on building toy pianos.  For more information about Harlan Glotzer visit his official website: http://www.harglo.com/  

Ep. 77: Myroslava Khomik, violinist   Violinist Myroslava Khomik is an international soloist and is active in the musical scenes of both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. In this episode we discuss her journey from the Ukraine to Los Angeles, her career, music competitions, and Ukrainian culture. We also talk about her passion for new music, solo career, future projects and much more!   For more information about Myroslava Khomik visit her official website: http://myroslavakhomik.com/ h   © Off The Podium, 2019

Ep. 76: Mary Lynch, oboist   Mary Lynch is the principal oboist of the Seattle Symphony and a faculty member at the University of Washington. In this episode we spoke about the motivation to practice, path to success, rituals, Dalbavie oboe concerto and the preparation it took to record the difficult piece. We also discussed hobbies, her middle school obsession with John Williams and the desire to be a composer. Mary also talked about her approach to teaching, upcoming projects, how the youth orchestra inspired her to be a musician, Aretha Franklin and Bach. Lastly, we got to the most important question, why does the oboe tune the orchestra?   For more information about Mary Lynch visit her official website: https://marylynchoboe.com/   © Off The Podium, 2019  

Ep. 75: George Jackson, conductor   George Jackson is a London-born conductor who has worked distinguished orchestras such as the Philharmonie de Paris, Hamburg State Opera and many others.   In this episode we discuss the role of a conductor in the 21st century, importance of community engagement, conducting competitions, masterclasses and working with soloists. George also speaks about the role of a Music Director, guest conductors, community and youth orchestras, the differences in opera and symphonic conducting. He also speaks about his passion for cooking, comedy and podcasts.       For more information about George Jackson visit his official website: https://www.georgejackson.net/   © Off The Podium, 2019  

Ep. 74: Angela Drăghicescu, pianist    Angela Drăghicescu is a collaborative pianist who has worked around the world, teaches the art of collaborative piano and is actively promoting women composers and new music.   On this episode we spoke about her collaboration with Jennifer Higdon, Women Who Score, music competitions, early career in Romania and the move to the United States. She also spoke about the art of collaborative piano and the importance of the art form.   Recorded at a coffee shop in Seattle.   Articles by Angela Drăghicescu can be found: https://www.womenwhoscore.org/   © Off The Podium, 2019  

Ep. 73: Gregg Belisle-Chi, guitarist and composer   Gregg Belisle-Chi is a Brooklyn, NY based guitarist and composer. He recently released his latest album called the Book of Hours.    In this podcast we discuss: his early start in music, inspirational teachers and musicians, the release of his latest album, collaborating with his wife and much more!   Articles by Gregg Belisle-Chi can be found: http://greggbelislechi.com/     © Off The Podium, 2019

Ep. 72: Gavin Borchert, journalist and composer   Gavin Borchert is a Seattle based journalist and composer. He currently works for the Seattle Weekly and has a doctoral degree in composition.   In this podcast we discuss: his career as a journalist, the importance of journalism, change in approach to journalism, inspirations for composing and the struggles of a working musician. He also talks about composing despite the lack of performance opportunities, direction and freedom of young composers, the future of classical music and the competition it faces in the 21st century, his time on jeopardy, diversity in classical music and lastly his passion for the Seattle Sounders.   Articles by Gavin Borchert can be found: http://www.seattleweekly.com/author/gavin-borchert/   © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 71 feature video games composer and guitarist Steve Kirk. Kirk has composed music for video games, including the Zynga Facebook game FarmVille, the BioWare online game Star Wars: The Old Republic, the Disney game for The Princess and The Frog feature film, and the full soundtrack of Voodoo Vince for the Xbox. He has also composed and played guitar for the Club Foot Orchestra. In this podcast his start in music, inspirations, life changing moments, Frank Zappa, composing for videos games, struggles and tribulations of a musician. We also discuss his new life in Seattle and playing in a jazz band. To learn more about Steve Kirk visit: http://www.stevekirkpop.com/ © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 70 features pianist and health performance mentor, Daniel Roberts. Daniel Roberts helps the future generation of pianists perform without tension. Inspired by the methods of his late mentor Peter Feuchtwanger, Roberts helps pianists through his lessons in Brazil and virtually around the world. In this podcast we discuss: We discuss his studies with Peter Feuchtwanger, mentoring/teaching the next generation of pianists, healthy performance methods and career as a pianist in Brazil. Roberts also talks about music education, hobbies and much more!   To learn more about Daniel Roberts and his work visit:  https://www.danielrobertsmusic.com/     © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 69 features composer and saxophone player Dorone Paris. Dr. Paris is an Israeli-born contemporary composer and a professional saxophone player, living & working in Ireland. In this podcast we discuss: We discuss her passion for music, philosophy and work as a political composer. She speaks about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, her work in music which inspires change, diversity, education and much more. Being raised and educated in Israel influenced her political ideas and affected her musical creativity, aesthetics and philosophy. She is the founder of PATH art: an organization dedicated to convincing her people that a peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in Israel-Palestine is both possible and necessary.   To learn more about Dorone Paris and her work visit:  http://www.doroneparis.com/p/home   © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 68 features pianist and composer Mesrop Sarkisyan. Mesrop Sarkisyan is a classical trained pianist who at 19 pursued his love for jazz and recently released an album that fuses his influences and passions to make a unique sound. In this podcast we discuss: His early beginnings as a classical pianist, college studies in jazz at the award winning CSUN Jazz program, and his new album. Mesrop struggled with serious depression and anxiety for two years but overcame the battle through Alexander technique and his endless passion for music. This is a unique conversation that explores the young artists struggles and eventual victory.    To learn more about Mesrop Sarkisyan and his new album please visit: https://mesrop.bandcamp.com/album/stuff   © Off The Podium, 2018

Episode 67 features conductor David A. Rahbee. Dr. Rahbee is a Senior Artist in Residence at the University of Washington School of Music in Seattle, where he is director of orchestral activities and teaches conducting.  In this podcast we discuss: Work at the University of Washington, starting a new orchestra on campus, his musical life in Europe, diversity during the classical period, influential teachers, programming for the season, the Haydn Experience, diversity in classical time period, and influential teachers. Dr. Rahbee also talks about  forming a new orchestra, how to make classical music relevant for today, language and music, advice to young musicians and his role with the Daniel's Orchestral Music.   To learn more about David A. Rahbee please visit: http://www.davidrahbee.com/biography.html   © Off The Podium, 2017 

Episode 66 features harpsichordist, pianist and music director, Byron Schenkman In this podcast we discuss: His concert series Byron Schenkman and Friends, co-founding the Seattle Baroque Orchestra, career as a harpsichordist and a pianist, early passion for harpsichord, promoting concerts and what it takes to build a big following. Byron also talks about inspirations, diversity in early music, recording over 30 albums, programming a season, music, religion and much more.    To learn more about Byron Schenkman please visit: http://byronschenkman.com/   © Off The Podium, 2017