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This month we’ve changed things up in order to tell you about the upcoming inaugural Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival on August 4-6th, presented by The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the City of Vancouver. Ashley spoke with Vancouver Symphony CEO Igor Shakhman and City of Vancouver Cultural Services Manager Stacey Donovan to give you the inside story on this unique celebration of the arts and culture of Vancouver, WA. To learn more about what’s being offered, keep an eye on vancouverartsandmusicfestival.com. Special Thanks To City of Vancouver – Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission Columbia Arts Network Vancouver Downtown Association Visit Vancouver Vancouver Farmer’s Market

In this episode Ashley speaks with Maestro Gerard Schwarz, conductor of the All-Star Orchestra and former conductor of the Seattle Symphony, about his incredible career working with the most prestigious conductors in America, his work with the All-Star Orchestra, and the importance of American classical music. Maestro Schwarz will conduct the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, featuring cellist Julian Schwarz, on April 22nd and 23rd, 2023. vancouversymphony.org

In this episode, Ashley speaks with this season’s Artist-in-Residence Orli Shaham. They spoke about the chamber music concerts she has curated this season for the VSO, her kinship with Clara Schumann, Clara’s influence on her husband Robert’s composing, and more. VSO USA’s concert Shumann’s Piano Concerto is on February 25th and 26th, 2023.

In this episode Ashley speaks with Shania Watts, who was a young artist competition gold medalist in 2018. They chat about about the experience of competing as a teenager, choosing a different path as a musician, and what institutions like the young artist competition provide for aspiring performers. The 2022 Young Artist Gold Medlaists will perform with VSO USA on January 21st and 22nd 2023 under the baton of Maestro Salvador Brotons. vancouversymphony.org

n this episode Ashley speaks with All Classical Portland on air host Warren Black, producer of their movie music centered program The Score. They discuss his work with the station, the history and appeal of film music, what’s happening at All Classical this December, and more. VSO USA’s Holiday Pops concert is on December 10th and 11th, 2022. vancouversymphony.org

In this episode Ashley speaks with Craig Morris, trumpet virtuoso and our guest for the November 2022 concert. Topics range from being a recording artist, to working with living composers, and more. Craig Morris will perform with VSO USA on September 5th and 6th 2022 under the baton of Maestro Salvador Brotons. vancouversymphony.org

In this episode, Ashley speaks with Michelle Cann, acclaimed piano virtuoso and our guest for the 2022/23 Season Premiere concert. Topics range from finding motivation as an artist, working with young musicians, the legacy of Florence Price, and more. Michelle Cann will perform with VSO USA on September 24th and 25th 2022 under the baton of Maestro Salvador Brotons. vancouversymphony.org

In this episode Ashley speaks with Rachel Barton Pine, world-renowned and award-winning concert violinist. Topics range from making classical music more accessible, to parenting on the road as a working musician. Rachel Barton Pine will perform with VSO USA on May 21st and 22nd 2022 under the baton of Maestro Salvador Brotons. vancouversymphony.org

In a departure from the usual, very special guest Greg Scholl joined Ashley on the podcast this time. Co-host of the VSO web series Da Capo and long-time speaker at VSO pre-concert talks, as well as VSO principal trombonist, Greg has been a staple at VSO concerts for many years. As resident musicologist, Greg shares his thoughts on what value there is in gaining context for orchestra programs, as well as talking about his own background as a musician. Greg and Ashley also tread into the subject of the decision to change, or not change, a concert's programming when it happens to intersect with world events.

This weekend the VSO is pleased to welcome back classical guitar virtuoso Adam Levin, who performed with them last February to great acclaim. Ashley was delighted to invite him back on the podcast where they spoke about parenthood as a working artist, the value of music education, and much more. vancouversymphony.org

A new year has begun, and there is no better time to celebrate three brilliant and brand new stars. Nikka Gershman-Pepper, David Choi, and Ezekiel Sokoloff are the guests of honor at this month’s symphonic concert. The three of them took home gold medals at the 2021 National Young Artist Competition, and this January 22 and 23 they will make their VSO debut performing their competition selections. Ashley spoke with each of them about the journey that has led them to the stage of Skyview Concert Hall, competition wisdom, and growing up as a musician.

As the VSO prepares for its annual holiday concert at Skyview Concert Hall, Ashley spoke with this month’s phenomenal guest performer Liz Callaway. Known for her work on Broadway in shows like Cats, Baby, and Merrily We Roll Along, as well as her voice performances in Don Bluth’s Anastasia and the Swan Princess films, Liz Callaway has a remarkable breadth of experience. They spoke about adapting as an artist when times are difficult, dealing with stage anxiety, and the late, great Stephen Sondheim. vancouversymphony.org

In anticipation of the November 18th Back to the Movies event, Ashley chatted with score compiler and silent movie music expert Rodney Sauer of the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra about Harold Lloyd's Safety Last, the work of cataloguing silent film music, and more. vancouversymphony.org

In a special episode of the VSO podcast, we're sharing a excerpt from October 16th's Distinguished Speaker Series Panel Discussion, moderated by Warren Black and featuring Zuill Bailey, Dr. Igal Kesselman, Dr. Stephen Shepherd, and Pedro Diaz.

This weekend is the 2021/22 season opening concert at the beautiful Newmark Theatre in Portland, OR, featuring virtuoso violinist Francisco Fullana. Ashley spoke to him about his rising career, working with Maestro Brotons, and his upcoming performance of Saint-Saëns's Violin Concerto No. 3 under the baton of Maestro Brotons. Get your ticket to this exciting concert on our website.

This week we're looking back at a work based on one of the few intact ancient Greek novels: Daphnis and Chloe, composed by Maurice Ravel. First a ballet, then a series of suites, Ravel's lush and resplendent work is one of the most highly praised compositions in French classical music.

This week we look back at Prokofiev's symphonic adaptation of William Shakespeare's beloved play Romeo and Juliet. First in a ballet, then a work for solo piano and a series of symphonic suites, Prokofiev captured the romance and tragedy of the best known couple in the Western canon.

Returning to our series of interviews with the remarkable musicians of the VSO, Ashley spoke with Associate Concertmaster Stephen Shepherd about playing to an empty concert hall, the crucial importance of arts education in schools, the upcoming Young Artist Competition, and more.

In anticipation of the upcoming Young Artist Competition entry deadline, we look back at a past Young Artist Competition Gold Medalist, Anthony Zheng, and his performance of Liszt's Totentanz.

This episode looks back on the career of one of the greatest film composers in cinema history, Ennio Morricone. The beautiful violin performance of Anne Akiko Meyers  pays tribute to the legend of film scoring.