Episodes

Our final episode this season features horn player Rachel Jones (BM ’18). Shortly after graduating from Peabody, Rachel joined the 229th Army Band Brass Quintet and has since expanded into working in Human Resources for the Guard. Outside of her work with the National Guard, she is an active freelancer on the East Coast and recently became a core member of the Maryland Winds. We’re looking for interviewees for next season! If you are a recent Peabody alumni, or want to recommend we reach out to...

Our guest this month is Ana Uribe Law (MM ’21), a musicologist and violinist. After receiving her Master’s degree in Musicology from Peabody, Ana is now pursuing her PhD at Florida State University. She also holds an MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute. Ana is a passionate advocate for greater representation of popular music genres within academia. Her research centers on contemporary Latin American genres, with a particular emphasis on the impact and influence of reggaeton...

Our guest for this episode is Steve Crino (DMA ’22), a teacher and composer with a deep focus on vocal music. Steve’s creative portfolio includes two award-winning operas, numerous songs, and choral compositions. A passionate interdisciplinary collaborator, he is co-founder of The Circus Opera Company, a new organization exploring connections between opera and circus arts. Steve maintains an active private studio and teaches Music Theory and Music History at Temple University. Our conversation t...

Our guest this month is film, theatre, and games composer Ashna Pathan (BM ’22). Currently working as a full-time assistant to the acclaimed composer Mac Quayle in Los Angeles, Ashna’s recent projects include the award-winning comedy short “Aghast!” and the full-length musical “Senior Year Is Gonna Kill Me! – The Murder-Mystery Musical.” We delve into Ashna’s diverse types of composition, her journey into the LA music production scene, finding opportunity and support in your networks, and her st...

This time on Max Q we are speaking with Marie Herrington (BM ’20, Vocal Performance). A versatile artist, Marie’s repertoire extends from sound installations, as seen with the Alluvium Ensemble at the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center, to her role as a featured composer at San Francisco’s SongFest. We discuss how she got into Chruch music, finding support for your creative endeavors, and the importance of enthusiasm. Currently, she is the Music Director at Govans Presbyterian Church in Baltim...

Max Q this week features drummer, educator, and composer Allen Branch. (BM ’22 Jazz Percussion) A multi-instrumental jazz performer, Allen (also known as Aldo) has played at international venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Berlin Music Hall. More recently, Allen has moved into education and is currently serving as the Dorothy Clayborne Teaching Fellow at the Bryn Mawr School. Website: https://aldobmusic.com/ Instagram: @aldobmusic Allen’s recommendations: 48 Laws of Power – Robert Greene C...

On Max Q we’re featuring soprano and arts-administrator Mira Fu-En Huang (MM ’22 Historical Performance Voice). Mira masterfully juggles her performance career—highlighted by roles in operas like Handel’s “Semele” and collaborations with contemporary composers—with her arts administration work at organizations like the Candlelight Concert Society and Business Volunteers Maryland. A former social media intern at LAUNCHPad, she also earned a Launch Grant for her storytelling project, “Story to Son...

This week on Max Q, we spotlight Andrea Copland (MM ’19, Oboe & Musicology), a Baltimore-based oboist, music historian, and librarian. Integrating actively performing and gigging with contributions to research institutions like Peabody’s Friedheim Library and the répertoire international de la presse musicale (RIPM) database, Andrea has also taken on the role of an educator with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program. Passionate about social justice and music accessibility, she delv...

Max Q this week features dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and movement researcher Rush Johnston (BFA ’22, Dance.) During their time at Peabody Rush received several grants including a Launch Grant for their show “Making a Mess.” Alongside creating widely featured performances, choreography, and dance films, they are the founder of the confi-DANCE project in Greenville, SC, which provides movement workshops for at-risk youth, and Kaleid Movement Collective, an interdisciplinary artistic platform...

This episode we’re interviewing Dmytro Nebesh, who graduated from Peabody with degree in Music for New Media in 2022. Dmytro currently works as a sound designer for Firaxis Games and as a freelance composer. In the interview, we explore how Dmytro’s experiences during school led to his sound design role, connecting and collaborating on professional work, and balancing creative projects and other personal priorities with a full-time job. Website: https://dmytronebesh.com/ Instagram: @dmytro_nebe...

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 Recomme...

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, 20...

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.mikerepp...

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. Record...

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 g...

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 ...

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 ...

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 Reco...

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...

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. Foll...

Composer Frances Pollock (MM ’15, Voice) started her own projects while at Peabody, creating opportunities for both her colleagues and herself. Robin McGinness discusses how Frances figured out prioritizing, the importance and ease of establishing relationships, and building understanding of the financial side of art and opera. Frances’s Opera Earth to Kenzie will be performed as a digital production by Peabody Opera Theater, scheduled for this spring. More Info Music at the end of the episode ...

Jacob Lyerly (MM ’20, Guitar & Pedagogy) joins Robin McGinness to discuss how his experience in the Arts in Health and other Peabody programs built the skills he uses in his career today. While at Peabody Jacob was a member of LAUNCHPad’s student staff, an active performer solo and with his duo Un/Strung, and a regular participant in Peabody’s Arts in Health programing. Currently, Jacob teaches music in North Carolina’s Richmond County Schools. End of episode music is the first movement from Su...

Violinist Shannon Fitzhenry (BM ’18) maintains a busy schedule subbing with the BSO, performing gigs and chamber concerts with other Peabody alumni, and serves as concertmaster for the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. In this episode, she joins Robin McGinness to discuss how she built her current portfolio career, the unique challenges of finding orchestral work, and how to think strategically as an aspiring orchestral performer. Follow Shannon on Instagram: @shannon.fitzhenry.violinist Recorded Augu...

Networking, or making connections with artists, partners, and collaborators is one of the primary challenges we hear about from students and alumni. This week on Max Q we’ve highlighted clips addressing how to talk to people, build relationships, and find strong partners. In order, here are the full interviews featured in today’s episode: Cellist and arts administrator Olivia Rainoff (MM ’20) – Full Episode Bass, voice teacher, and radio announcer John TK Scherch (MM ’17) – Full Episode Cell...