Backstage: Classical Career Conversations
Join host Katrina Stroud as she sits down with professional classical musicians to uncover the personal journeys behind public performances. In each episode, you'll hear conversations that reveal the passion, struggles, and turning points that have shaped the lives of classical musicians.
Hear some of the greatest classical artists in the world share their stories of resilience, artistry, and inspiration and give their advice to aspiring professional musicians. Whether you're a seasoned musician, working student, or someone who loves the transformative power of classical music, this podcast invites you to listen deeply -- to the music, and to the stories behind it.
Love the show? Support Backstage CCC with a donation at paypal.me/backstageccc — every bit helps us share more inspirational stories!
- Update frequency
- every 13 days
- Average duration
- 30 minutes
- Episodes
- 8
- Years Active
- 2025
Estelle Choi: Calidore String Quartet
Cellist Estelle Choi is a founding member of the award-winning Calidore String Quartet. Listen as she talks about her musical background and education, life in a professional string quartet, the line…
Victoria Chiang: Peabody Institute
Renowned viola pedagogue Victoria Chiang is on faculty at the Peabody Institute, Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and the Aspen Music Festival. Listen as she talks about her time studying with Dor…
Eugene Watanabe: Gifted Music School
Join host Katrina as she interviews Eugene Watanabe who founded the Gifted Music School with his wife Dr. Vera and was the first person to graduate Curtis with a double degree in violin and piano. Li…
Simon James: San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Violinist Simon James is a renowned pedagogue at the San Fransisco Conservatory of Music, veteran of the Seattle Symphony for 30 years, and recorder of hundreds of soundtracks. Listen as James talks …
Lawrence Dutton: Emerson String Quartet
Violist of the Emerson String Quartet that won 9 GRAMMYS, Lawrence Dutton talks about his life before the quartet, collaborations and stories from the Emerson Quartet, and gives his advice for aspiri…
David Kim: Philadelphia Orchestra
Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra for the past 26 years, violinist David Kim joins host Katrina to share his stories of studying with Dorothy DeLay, challenges he faced in his career, his j…
Amy Schwartz Moretti: Robert McDuffie Center for Strings
Artistic Director of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and violinist of the Ehnes Quartet, Amy Schwartz Moretti is a violinist who has established herself as a soloist, chamber musician, and gue…
Pilot
In this debut episode, host Katrina Stroud introduces the inspiration behind the show — stories and advice from classical music professionals.
Katrina shares what led her to create the podcast, her ow…