IIRY Podcast: 27. Augusta Read Thomas: “Music is so much bigger.”
In my conversation with composer Augusta Read Thomas, she expresses her heartfelt support of Black Lives Matter; her empathy for…
IIRY Podcast: 26. Blair McMillen: “It’s okay to be vulnerable.”
In this conversation with pianist Blair McMillen, we discuss how to manage stage fright and performance anxiety; why being…
IIRY Podcast: 25. Sean Wang: “My quietness was misunderstood as an act of defiance.”
In this conversation with violinist, conductor, and scholar, Sean Wang, we discuss the implicit bias Asians experience in white…
IIRY Podcast: 24. Celia Hatton: “You have to speak up and take up space.”
In this conversation with violist Celia Hatton, we discuss racism, implicit bias and microaggressions; the illusion of meritocracy in classical…
IIRY Podcast: 23. Tricia performs “Ferdinand the Bull,” the children’s storybook classic.
Subscribe to the podcast here! Today’s special episode features “Ferdinand the Bull” from the beloved children’s book “The Story of…
IIRY Podcast: 21. Shannon Wilkinson: “You are valuable because you exist.”
In this conversation with life coach, Shannon Wilkinson, we discuss how we turn to perfectionism to protect ourselves and “stay…
IIRY Podcast: 18. “It’s a weird time to try to reinvent yourself.” Cellist Nick Photinos
In my candid conversation with innovative cellist and founding member of Eighth Blackbird, Nick Photinos, we discuss career transformation…
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: 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…