Category Archives: Uncategorized

1. Max Q – Andrea Copland

Uncategorized, , ,

This week on Max Q, we spotlight Andrea Copland (MM ’19, Oboe & Musicology), a Baltimore-based oboist, music historian, and librarian. Integrating actively performing and gigging with contributions to research institutions like Peabody’s Friedheim Library and the répertoire international de la presse musicale (RIPM) database, Andrea has also taken on the role of an educator with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program. Passionate about social justice and music accessibility, she delves into the confluence of music, politics, and perception on her blog, ‘Outward Sound’. We discuss the opportunities found in setbacks, balancing multiple priorities, and building what motivates you into your job.

Blog: outwardsound.org
Instagram: @outwardsound

Andrea’s recommendations:
Simone de Beauvoir’s The Ethics of Ambiguity 
William Cheng’s Just Vibrations 
Jonathan Sterne’s Diminished Faculties .

Recorded Aug. 7, 2023

Season 4 music by Soo Hyun Bahn. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

9. Max Q – Rush Johnston

Uncategorized,

Max Q this week features dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and movement researcher Rush Johnston (BFA ’22, Dance.) During their time at Peabody Rush received several grants including a Launch Grant for their show “Making a Mess.” Alongside creating widely featured performances, choreography, and dance films, they are the founder of the confi-DANCE project in Greenville, SC, which provides movement workshops for at-risk youth, and Kaleid Movement Collective, an interdisciplinary artistic platform for creative experiments and exhibitions.

Website: https://rushjohnston.com/ 
Instagram: @rushj_dance
Facebook: @rush.johnston

Check out “My Room,” one of the pieces Rush mentioned in our conversation.

Recorded Mar. 15, 2023

This is the end of Max Q’s third season! If you have a recommendation for a recent Peabody alum you think we should have on the Podcast, let us know at LAUNCHPad@Jhu.edu

Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

8. Max Q – Dmytro Nebesh

Uncategorized, , ,

This episode we’re interviewing Dmytro Nebesh, who graduated from Peabody with degree in Music for New Media in 2022. Dmytro currently works as a sound designer for Firaxis Games and as a freelance composer. In the interview, we explore how Dmytro’s experiences during school led to his sound design role, connecting and collaborating on professional work, and balancing creative projects and other personal priorities with a full-time job. 

Website: https://dmytronebesh.com/
Instagram: @dmytro_nebesh
YouTube: @dmytronebesh6939
Twitter: @Dadmyt

You might notice our intro music is different this episode. Dmytro composed the theme music for the first season of Max Q, and we’ve brought it back as a special feature for this episode. 

Recorded Mar. 1, 2023

Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

7. Max Q – Nathan Cicero

Uncategorized, ,

We’re featuring Nathan Cicero (MM ’18, Vocal Accompanying) on Max Q! Since graduating, Nathan has built a career as a freelance collaborator, church musician, and as music staff for numerous opera companies including Sarasota Opera, Chicago Summer Opera, and Pensacola Opera. We discuss the path to becoming a collaborative pianist, life working as a pianist in an opera company, building a freelance career, and the differences between playing for musicians and a general audience.

Nathan’s Recommendations:

Closing out the episode we have a recording of Nathan playing Poulenc’s “Madrigal,” with Baritone Mark Billy. 

Recorded Jan. 30, 2023

2022 Intro music by Aaron Gao. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

6. Max Q – Gavon Peck

Uncategorized, ,

This episode of Max Q features violist, arts administrator, and yoga teacher Gavon Peck (GPD ’20, Viola), speaking with Sarah Thomas. Gavon performs regularly with chamber ensembles and orchestras in DMV, is an Artistic Director at Listeso Music Group, and teaches yoga with Baltimore Hot Yoga and Wellness. Sarah and Gavon discuss his different types of work, the evolution of life goals, and the importance of taking care of our bodies as artists. 

Website: http://gavonpeck.com

Recorded Dec. 8, 2022

2022 Intro music by Aaron Gao. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

Bonus: Max Q – Michael Repper

Uncategorized,

We’re reposting an episode from our archives to celebrate alum conductor Michael Repper (DMA ’22). Michael’s recent recording with the New York Youth Symphony received a Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance, the first time a youth orchestra has received this award. In these interview clips, we discuss Michael’s perspective on networking, managing your time as a freelancer, and the wisdom found in Disney movies.

Find out more about Michael and his current projects:
Website: www.mikerepper.com
Instagram: @mikerepper
Twitter: @mikerepper

Stream Works by Florence Price, Valerie Coleman, Jessie Montgomery Performed by the New York Youth Symphony,  Michael Repper, and Michelle Cann

2022 Intro music by Aaron Gao. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Interview Recorded Jan. 24, 2019

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

5. Max Q – Sam Bessen

Uncategorized, , , ,

This episode of Max Q features Sam Bessen (MM ’17, Horn). Sam is the curator of the Levy Sheet Music Collection at the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries as well as the Founder & Artistic Director of the In the Stacks Series, which hosts performances in the George Peabody Library. Speaking with Christina Manceor, the conversation explores how Sam found his way to his position as a curator, how to connect your passions to new career paths, and how to pivot and move past performance injuries.

Recorded Dec. 9, 2022

2022 Intro music by Aaron Gao. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

4. Max Q – Bobby Ge

Uncategorized, , ,

This episode of Max Q features Bobby Ge (MM ’20, Composition), a Chinese-American composer, pianist, and educator. Since graduating from Peabody, Bobby has collaborated on several multimedia projects, won composer residencies and competitions, and had works performed and commissioned by a variety of different orchestral and chamber ensembles. Christina Manceor speaks with him about building collaborative relationships, how artist residencies work, and the importance of grants in supporting his goals. Currently, Bobby is pursuing his Ph.D. in composition as a Naumberg Fellow at Princeton University.

Website: www.bobbygemusic.com
Instagram: @bobbycge

At the end of the episode, you can hear a clip of “Variations for the Worlds Below” from The Ocean’s Cry, a visual album created by the composers’ collective Consonance in collaboration with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. This piece was written for and performed by a trio of musicians from Peabody – Robert Brown (BM ’22)  on sax, Ben Giroux (BM ’21) on percussion, and Sherry Du (MM ’19) on piano. The album is available on all streaming platforms

Recorded Nov. 28, 2022

2022 Intro music by Aaron Gao. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

3. Max Q – Lily Josefsberg

Uncategorized, ,

In this episode of Max Q, Christina Manceor speaks with Lily Josefsberg (GPD 18’). After extensive freelancing experience at orchestras around the U.S., she was appointed piccolo with the San Diego Symphony in May 2022. The discussion covers life for orchestral musicians, ways to navigate the audition process, and how Lily’s experience in school impacted where she is today. 

Instagram: @Bach2baking

The episode closes with a clip of Lily playing the 3rd movement of Mike Mower‘s sonata for Piccolo and Piano.

Recorded Nov. 11, 2022

2022 Intro music by Aaron Gao. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

2. Max Q – Ross Tamaccio

Uncategorized, , , ,

This week on Max Q we speak with Baritone Ross Tamaccio (MM ’18). Ross has built a career on concert music and church music, singing career both as a soloist and ensemble member, singing with ensembles like True Concord, Conspirare, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and with most of the major church music programs in the DC area. We discuss how he moved from seeing opera as the primary career path to pursuing ensemble singing, how teaching fits into his career, managing scheduling, and how auditions and networking have helped build a full calendar.

Music and Book Recommendations:

Website: www.rosstamaccio.com
Instagram: @rktamaccio

Episode closes with a clip of Ross singing “O Man Greatly Beloved” from Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem with the Maryland Choral Society

Recorded Aug. 23, 2022

2022 Intro music by Aaron Gao. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More