IIRY Podcast: 16. “Confused and scared is better than meaningless.” Cellist Mike Block
In my conversation with pioneering cello player, singer, composer, and educator, Mike Block, we discuss how his creative frustrations within…
IIRY Podcast: 15. “How long should it take to get over someone?”
Here’s another short essay, this time about ghosting, heartbreak, and ambiguous loss. (Subscribe to the podcast here!) Here’s the essay:…
IIRY Podcast: 14. “We didn’t think, ‘we’re gonna master virtual rehearsing and share it with the world.'”Cellist Lauren Usiskin
In my conversation with performer, educator, entrepreneur, and cellist of the Bayberry String Quartet, Laura Usiskin, we discuss how the…
IIRY Podcast: 13. “You play the violin?” A 5-minute essay about “gigging” life, unfair speeding tickets, and the unexpected turn.
I’ve been taking this amazing Live Lit class with the great Ian Belknap, here in Chicago and of course, the…
IIRY Podcast: 12. “The belief that perfection equals worthiness is the biggest struggle of my life.”Dr. Sarah Carter
In Part Two of my conversation with physician, cellist, writer, and former child prodigy, Dr. Sarah Carter, we discuss the…
IIRY Podcast: 11.”In the depths of major depression, I realized I’d lived my whole life in someone else’s dream.”Dr. Sarah Carter
In my conversation with physician, cellist, writer, and former child prodigy, Dr. Sarah Carter, we discuss the “classical music machine”…
IIRY Podcast: 10. “The most important skill is connecting with people” Pianist Assaff Weisman
In my conversation with pianist, teacher, and administrator, Assaff Weisman, we discuss the importance of early teachers; the entrepreneurship…
IIRY Podcast: 9. An excerpt from my work-in-progress, LUNCH BOX
I saw a bag of Gochujang Potato Chips from Whole Foods and I was thrown back in time to my…
IIRY Podcast: 8. “The crisis of perfectionism in classical music” Violinist Rebecca Fischer
In my conversation with violinist, educator, and writer, Rebecca Fischer, we discuss the challenges of maintaining boundaries, interpersonal health, and…
IIRY Podcast: 7 – “Asians are both the ‘model minority’ and an invisible minority” Dr. Mina Yang
In my conversation with pianist, professor, and writer, Mina Yang, we creating space for conversations about racism against East Asians…