7. Max Q – Nathan Cicero

Posted on by

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: Spotify | RSS | More

6. Max Q – Gavon Peck

Posted on by

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: Spotify | RSS | More

Bonus: Max Q – Michael Repper

Posted on by

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: Spotify | RSS | More

5. Max Q – Sam Bessen

Posted on by

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: Spotify | RSS | More

4. Max Q – Bobby Ge

Posted on by

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: Spotify | RSS | More

3. Max Q – Lily Josefsberg

Posted on by

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: Spotify | RSS | More

2. Max Q – Ross Tamaccio

Posted on by

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: Spotify | RSS | More

1. Max Q – Arindam Jurakhan

Posted on by

Welcome to season three of Max Q! Episode one features composer, instrumentalist, rapper, and producer Arindam Jurakhan (MM ’21). After releasing his first album FLINCH during his final year at Peabody, Arindam is currently pursuing his DMA in composition at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. We discuss differences between producing live and recorded music, differences in networking across different fields, and how to publicize your recordings.

Music and Book Recommendations:

  • It’s Almost Dry – Pusha T
  • Gemini Rights – Steve Lacy
  • Sculpting in Time – Andrei Tarkovsky

Website: https://jurakhan.com
Instagram: @Jurakhan.Music
Twitter: @Jurakhan_Music

Episode closes with a clip of Persona feat. Mingjia. 

Recorded Aug. 10, 2022

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS | More

14. Max Q – Bergamot Quartet

Posted on by

Robin is joined by alumni ensemble Bergamot Quartet (Ledah Finck MM ‘18, Sarah Thomas MM ‘19, Amy Tan MM ‘19, Irene Han MM ‘18). With the imminent release of their debut album In the Brink, we discuss how Bergamot has found success building opportunities to give workshops, opening doors for performances and collaborations, and crowdfunding their new CD.

More info about In the Brink
Upcoming Performances
Instagram: @bergamotquartet
Facebook: /bergamotquartet
YouTube: Bergamot Quartet

Recorded Mar. 10, 2022

2021 Intro music by Dmytro Nebesh. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS | More

13. Max Q – Kyle Jones

Posted on by

Christina speaks with saxophonist Kyle Jones (MM ’17), who is currently pursuing a DMA in saxophone performance at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory; in addition to his freelance career, Kyle is an educator and arts administrator. They discuss how to approach building a sustainable career in the arts, including balancing time between school, work, and other activities, proactively reaching out to collaborators and employers, and prioritizing a sense of self and community.

Follow Kyle:

YouTube
Facebook 
Instagram

Links & Resources:

Fast Forward Austin – Website, Instagram
Less Than 10 Music: Website, Instagram
The Professor Is In – Karen Kelsky, PH. D.

Recorded Jan. 5, 2022.

2021 Intro music by Dmytro Nebesh. Audio editing by Greg Hays. Logo by MegDig Design.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS | More