Listen Now

On this episode you’ll hear my conversation with Rich Chwastiak, and up-and-coming DJ known to many as “The Wig”.I first met Rich in 2010 when we were both percussion students at New England Conservatory. Since then I’ve followed his career as an up and coming internationally known DJ. I have always wanted to know more about how he arrived at this point in his career; and what influences him as  a creator of electronic dance music.Rich brings a fresh voice to this style, through is background and training as a classical musician. Among other regular appearances, Rich is a lead creative voice for a show called Acoustica Electronica; which has become a mainstay for almost three years at Club Oberon in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This show combines choreographed dance, theater, and music into a late night party atmosphere drawing a diverse crowd.I met up with Rich backstage, at Club Oberon, before one of these performances. We talked about how Rich first became interested in a career as a DJ which includes the spawn of acoustica electronica. Rich explained what he finds so exiting about electronic dance music and why he remains so passionate about it. I had a great time talking to him and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Rich “The Wig” Chwastiak.You can visit Rich's website here.And be sure to check out Acoustica Electronica if you can! Click here to listen in iTunes and then click subscribe to automatically receive new onesClick here to listen to this podcast in Stitcher

In this episode you will hear from the amazing Tony Miceli. Tony has established himself as one of the most highly regarded jazz vibraphone players and educators of his time. He has pushed the vibraphone to new levels in almost every way possible, and his journey to get there includes many amazing stories. Seeing Tony play is part of what inspired me early on to be a musician. I studied with him a bit in high school and have kept in touch with him ever since. In the first part of this episode, you will hear mostly from Tony alone about his career development as a performer and educator. After that, you will hear more of a discussion about his philosophy as a musician and entrepreneur. I had a great time talking to him and I am glad to share our conversation with you.You can check out Tony's website at www.vibesworkshop.com Click here to listen in iTunes and then click subscribe to automatically receive new onesClick here to listen to this podcast in Stitcher

Click here to listen in iTunes and then click subscribe to automatically receive new onesClick here to listen to this podcast in StitcherEpisode 2: Stories from John Heiss. In this second episode, we hear from the legendary John Heiss. Whether you know him or not, you are in for a real treat with this episode. In the last five, or so, decades John Heiss has met and worked with just about every important person in modern classical music through his work as a composer, teacher, and musician. He even had some amazing up close and personal experiences with some of them. John Heiss has taught at New England Conservatory in Boston for over 40 years. Sometimes I will engage people in a discussion about a certain topic in music, but in this case I tried my best to get out of the way and let a great story teller work their magic. So, this episode resembles more of an oral history. There is no podcast large enough to fit all of the great stories he has to tell, so here are just a few.

Conductor Matt Szymanski The very first episode! In this episode host Dave Tarantino sits down with two of his close friends who also happen to be up and coming conductors in Boston. Each of them has their own ensembles and represent very different paths of the future of classical music. Jeff is interested in maintaining some of the formal traditions of the concert going experience, and Matt hopes to break down and renew those traditions. They are not necessarily opposing viewpoints, but the different correct answers to the same questions.Check out Part I as well and listen to conversations with both! Leave a comment below to share your own thoughts.

Jeff coached by Pierre Boulez at Lucerne Academy The very first episode! In this episode host Dave Tarantino sits down with two of his close friends who also happen to be up and coming conductors in Boston. Each of them has their own ensembles and represent very different paths of the future of classical music. Jeff is interested in maintaining some of the formal traditions of the concert going experience, and Matt hopes to break down and renew those traditions. They are not necessarily opposing viewpoints, but the different correct answers to the same questions.Check out Part II as well and listen to conversations with both! Leave a comment below to share your own thoughts.