OSA Backstage

Dani & Serena talk to pianist George Li about growing up as a pianist, why it helps to stretch your brain, and 13-year-olds playing Rachmaninoff.

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Dani & Serena talk with JoAnn Falletta about building relationships with orchestras, music as service, and what you gain when you lead from the podium.

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Dani & Serena close out Season 1 of OSA Backstage with a record-busting finale!

References:

7’35”: Jean-Marie Leclair

15’: Tonos del sur

16’55” Netherlands Bach Society; Rudolf Lutz; Pygmalion; Ludwig G…

Dani & Serena talk to Henry Jenkins (violin) and Sara Magill (harp) about finding pieces to be obsessed about, Debussy versus Ravel, and schmalzing it up in the best possible way for the Summer Conce…

Dani & Serena talk to Brett Hodge about building a brass quintet program, why it helps to be on a text-message level relationship with a composer, and a crucial first: Brett’s favorite dinosaur.

Prefe…

Dani & Serena talk with Maria Harding (flute) about the Omaha Chamber Music Society’s Summer Concert Series, which culminates with a 360-degree tribute to Willa Cather. This concert has everything: d…

Dani & Serena talk to Ankush Kumar Bahl (Music Director) about finding what fits, being willing to be uncomfortable, and why you should listen when your violist friend invites you to a Symphony conce…

What could it cost? $10? Dani & Serena talk to KVNO's Ben Rasmussen about what weddings and programming have in common, 3 a.m. Harp Concertos, and why peer pressure tuba might be the best thing that …

Dani & Serena talk to Susanna Perry Gilmore (concertmaster), Maria Harding (principal flute) and Christi Zuniga (principal keyboard) about historically informed performance, margarita mix, and keepin…

Dani & Serena talk to Judy Divis (viola) about creating opportunities for the next generation, faking it ‘til you make it, and having the best seat in the house for 38 years.

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Dani talks to Sarah Cranor (violin) and Pat Pfister about running long distance as professional musicians - and why pickles, above all else, are key.

Dani & Serena talk to violinist Amaryn Olmeda and Maestro Ken-David Masur about Mozart in 2025, being the interpretation, and why it's kenough to just be yourself.

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Dani speaks with composer and OSA program notes writer Mathew Fuerst about listening to music on its own terms, what “sonata form” actually is, and how the answer to “Why?!” is, more often than not… …

Dani & Serena talk to Assistant Principal Bassoon Nick Nelson about trying not to do podcasts, the Texas band tradition, making reeds, and the 2nd Bassoon's role in building up a wind section.

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Dani & Serena talk to Greg Clinton (Associate Principal Cello) and Mary Perkinson (Section Violin) about when you know you’ve found the right instrument, the importance of teachers’ words to their st…

Dani & Serena talk to Erik Thorstensen (Director of Digital Initiatives & Production) and Jamie Pham (Artistic Manager) about discovering what you do well, skipping class to get rid of your flute, an…

Dani & Serena talk to Kevin Tompkins (Assistant Principal Second Violin) and Juliet Yoshida (Section Violin) about faking it, bowings, and why personal space is worth its weight in gold in an opera p…

Dani & Serena sit down with Principal Percussion Paul Matthews and Principal Harp Janna Young to discuss why chimes are the worst, the instrument that’s harder than harp, and a Sleigh Ride gatekeepin…

Dani & Serena talk to West Virginia Symphony Music Director - and OSA guest - Maurice Cohn about cat opinions, treating every rehearsal like it’s the only rehearsal, and composers on the beach. You …

Dani & Serena talk to Omaha Symphony 3rd Flute & Piccolo Lisa Meyerhofer about all things auxiliary instruments, bad air, and why piccolo triggers your fight-or-flight response.

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