Tammy Takaishi is a Board Certified Music Therapist, Podcaster and writer based in New York.

We talked about her podcast Creative Peacemeal, her meaningful and multi-faceted career as a Music Therapist, and her full creative life including her writing. If music therapy is a career you’re curious about, you’ll be inspired by her stories and insights.

As a fellow podcasters, we definitely bonded over our enthusiasm for the medium and the wide range of fascinating, creative people we’ve been able to connect with. I know that fans of Tammy’s podcast will be interested to learn more about her path, personal perspectives and great advice including avoiding burnout.

You can watch this on my YouTube or listen to the podcast; I’ve also linked the transcript to my website

Tammy's podcast Creative Peacemeal

I wanted to let you know about some other episodes I’ve linked directly to this one, with Martha Anne Toll

Heather Taves

Jeeyoon Kim

Gertrude “Trudy” Létourneau

Philip Griffin

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(00:00) Intro

(01:42) Tammy’s musical childhood, juggling creative pursuits

(08:15) Creative Peacemeal podcast

(14:15) preventing burnout

(16:55) Music Therapy with babies NICU

(22:54) Music Therapy careers and training

(29:53) inspiring stories from life as a Music Therapist

(38:30) other linked episodes and ways to support this podcast

(39:10) music therapy life

(49:52) contrast between Houston

Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman is available wherever you listen to podcasts. The video and transcript are linked here on my website, where you can check out my episodes catalog and sign up for Sneak Peeks for upcoming guests: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/jeremy-mastrangelo

This week’s guest is violinist Jeremy Mastrangelo, who’s a wonderful colleague of mine in Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. He’s known in our greenroom as a great storyteller, onstage as an excellent musician, and having heard him give brilliant masterclasses I can attest to his excellence as an educator as well. This episode is infused with Jeremy’s wit and wisdom as well as a couple of beautiful violin performances. We talk about violin shopping in Cremona, teenage life at Interlochen Academy, the difficulties and joys of a career as an orchestral musician, family, and the benefits of deepening our understanding of the composers we play. You will find that one of the wonderful stories in this episode reveals an unexpected discovery!

This independant podcast needs your support. Can you help with $3? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks so much!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:11) Jeremy’s brother Dave, his childhood starting violin

(10:31) Bach Aria from Goldberg Variations

(13:23) Dave Mastrangelo arrangements

(15:05) orchestra audition process

(19:11) working conditions, collective agreements, Syracuse orchestra experience, Sara Mastrangelo

(27:21) please support the podcast!

(28:00) different roles and chairs in the orchestra

(30:31) Interlochen

(34:13) intro to Piazzolla etude

(35:45) Piazzolla Tango Etude no. 3

(39:34) dealing with uncertainty, pandemic Syracuse then Ottawa with Pinchas Zukerman

(45:37) ideal orchestra experiences, role of conductor and players

(50:15) Cremona with wife Sara, Italian heritage, Vittorio Villa

(55:54) Jeremy’s violin teachers Rafail Sobolevsky, Bill Preucil, Hal Grossman, Paul Kantor

(01:03:26) Rafail Sobolevsky story

(01:10:13) Sally Thomas, James Ehnes

(01:14:12) cooking

(01:16:07) great books about composers and performers

(01:20:37) solo experiences, stress dreams, benefits of knowing more about the composers

(01:28:16) one final orchestra story

Avi Kishna is a Dutch sarod player based in Amsterdam, of Indo-Surinamese heritage. You’ll get to know the sarod as an instrument and hear Avi’s perspectives on Dutch society and his interesting collaborations. Among his mentors is his inspiring father, Ramdew Kishna, a multi-talented musician, director, and painter, who played a pivotal role in shaping Avi's musical journey along with his guru, Koustuv Ray. As a young man, Avi embarked on a successful career as in sales and marketing, but during this time he pushed music aside, and I found it deeply touching to hear how he was able to come back to music with the wisdom of having left such an important part of himself behind. You’ll hear about Avi’s project working with schools in Amsterdam to help provide music programs in underserved communities and this episode features some of his sarod music. Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel, and I’ve also linked the transcript here to my website: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/avi-kishna

Can you buy this podcaster a coffee to support this series? https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman Thanks!

Here you'll find the links to Avi's projects like Raga Reflections, where to stream and buy his music, upcoming performances, including a video with dancer Shailesh Bahoran (which we talk about): https://www.sarodbyavi.com/

Link to Muziek Educatie Centrum Amsterdam: https://www.muziekeducatiecentrum.nl/jeugd-fonds-sport-cultuur-amsterdam

Follow me on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/leahroseman

Episode with sitar player Mohamed Assani: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mohamed-assani

Episode with bansuri player Milind Date:

https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/milind-date-bansuri-player

Complete Catalog of Episodes: https://www.leahroseman.com/about

Newsletter sign-up: https://mailchi.mp/ebed4a237788/podcast-newsletter

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(03:42) the sarod

(11:57) Indo-Surinamese heritage and history

(16:16) South Asian music in the Netherlands

(19:38) dancer Shailesh Bahoran

(25:00) excerpt from While She Sleeps

(28:06) bringing different music together, Soundscape Sessions

(38:01) please support this podcast!

(38:39) Ramdew Kishna, Avi’s father

(43:27) racism and inclusion

(50:53) sarod guru Gungun Kaustuv Ray

(56:14) learning from others

(57:56) Raga Reflections

(01:04:19) Darbari

(01:08:00) sales and marketing career, return to music

(01:13:05) giving back through music education

Welcome to Conversations with Musicians with Leah Roseman with powerful, in-depth conversations with a fascinating diversity of musical guests wordwide. In this moving episode, I sit down with GRAMMY-winning composer Carla Patullo. Carla shares her deeply personal journey as well as audio clips from Nomadica, her gorgeous new album born from grief, healing, and resilience following the traumatic loss of her mother and her own battle with cancer. We dive into Carla’s creative process, her emotional transformation, and the collaborative magic behind the album — including features with Martha Wainwright, the Scorchio Quartet, and Tonality. You'll also hear about her powerful projects with partner Elizabeth Beech honoring animation pioneer Lotte Reiniger, her longtime work with Sandra Bernhard, and the meaningful mentorship she’s received within the LGBTQ+ music community, including from Laura Karpman. From her tight-knit Italian family roots to her evolution as a touring artist and composer, this episode is a must-listen for fans of ambient music, film composition, and stories of personal and artistic growth. Like all my episodes, you can watch the video or listen to the podcast; the transcript is linked to my website.

All the clips from Nomadica are listed in the timestamps, and you can buy or stream the album from Carla’s website.

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Other episodes I’m sure you’ll love: Anze Rozman and Kara Talve Adam Blau Martha Mooke EmmoLei Sankofa J. Walter Hawkes Kavisha Mazzella

(00:00) Intro (02:05) album Nomadica, Scorchio quartet, Carla’s mother death (07:46) clip of A Handblown World (13:04) cancer treatments, Carla’s mother’s hair salon (16:40) clip of Nomadica (17:29) Tonality vocal ensemble (19:20) Martha Wainwright (21:35) clip of Fly Under (22:23) cover art, Jamie Dwyer (23:51) Italian family (28:08) Carla’s youth, first album, Berklee (33:07) Sandra Bernhard, LGBTQ+ community (37:25) Lotte Reiniger (39:31) Other linked episodes and ways to support this podcast (40:20) Lotte That Silhouettte Girl (42:26) inspiration for Nomadica, All of Us Strangers (46:40) creative process with clip of Isochronic Waves (48:19) film score work, immigrant experience, Italian heritage (50:52) cancer and recovery, self-care (56:40) Below the Surface with excerpt (59:20) The Hurricane musical, getting back on stage with SO SHE HOWLS (01:02:50) film composer life, effects of GRAMMY win, mindset, orchestration

Darol Anger is an acoustic music legend known as much for his innovative fiddle style beyond Bluegrass and Jazz traditions, and his teaching. Darol has helped drive the evolution of the contemporary string band through his involvement with numerous pathbreaking ensembles such as the Turtle Island String Quartet, the David Grisman Quintet, and his current touring group Mr Sun. This podcast episode is being released a few days before his new 2-album set Diary of a Fiddler #2: The Empty Nest, and you’ll be hearing many clips from this brilliant collaborative project that features dozens of phenomenal string players and improvisers. You’ll find the titles and performers from these clips in the timestamps Diary of a Fiddler #2 Album Anyone interested in the history of American acoustic music will be curious to hear Darol’s stories from his long career, and his advice to students from his many years teaching at Berklee and online at ArtistWorks. Most importantly I’m sure you’ll be inspired by Darol’s openness and generosity to musical connection. My website including YouTube

Darol Anger website Newsletter Buy me a coffee? Podcast Merch Martin Hayes Tracy Silverman Brittany Haas Joe K. Walsh Leslie DeShazor Julie Lyonn Lieberman Sara Caswell (00:00) Intro (02:14) summer festivals, Diary of a Fiddler projects (09:28) Brittany Haas with clip of I Coulda told U (10:49) recording the album, Liza Jane Parade with clip (14:44) Mike Barnett with clip Liza Jane Reboot (18:48) Darol’s early career in San Francisco (28:57) 5 string acoustic violin (33:30) Enion Pelta with clip Ouditarus Rez, teaching (39:00) other linked episodes (39:53) ArtistWorks, Berklee teaching (47:52) Ella Jordan, John Mailander with clip The Unberable Gift (49:43) Berklee, Jenna Moynihan with clip Melt the Teakettle (53:32) the importance of a positive and supportive atmosphere (57:54)playing bowed string instruments, baritone violin (01:01:46) Martin Hayes, Allistair Fraser, Natalie MacMaster (01:07:20) Casey Driessen with clip The Amen Corner (01:09:44) Rembemering Emy Phelps with clip of The Crooked Road to Emy with Tristan Clarridge (01:17:51) Mr. Sun 01:19:23) Diary of a Fiddler #2 with clip of the end of La Ville Manteaux with Trent Freeman, gardening

Originally released in 2022: Tracy Silverman is truly an inspiring musician in every respect and it was such an honour to meet him and be able to record this memorable episode! This interview is also available as a video; the transcript is also linked on my website

We talked about his classical roots, studying with legendary teachers Lewis Kaplan and Ivan Galamian, his rejection of the classical world and his fascinating career, through his years in rock bands, we even talked about some of his early gigs, including learning the ropes as a strolling violinist, getting the job as first violinist of the innovative Turtle Island string quartet, and the development of his Strum Bowing method.

We talked about many musicians, including some of his collaborators and mentors including Terry Riley, Darol Anger, Roy “Futureman” Wooten, Mark Wood, and composers Roberto Sierra and John Adams. In this conversation one of the many topics we covered was the new concerto writtten for Tracy called “Ficciones” by Roberto Sierra.

Finally, we dived into his creative process, how music affects our emotions, and how to stay open by listening to others, and learning to show up as ourselves.

Tracy Silverman website

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(00:00:00) Intro

(00:03:29) Concerto "Ficciones" by Roberto Sierra, premiered with the American Symphony Orchestra

(00:07:13) Tracy's 6-string electric violin built by Joe Glazer with demonstrations, and more about "Ficciones"

(00:14:14) Tracy's support system for the instrument, progression from classical violinist through his rock days

(00:22:37) Lewis Kaplan

(00:25:25) Ivan Galamian

(00:28:40) Tracy's approach to Bach

(00:32:04) Tracy's childhood, improv and composition

(00:36:17) "Ficciones" "Between the Kiss and the Chaos"

(00:40:51) Turtle Island String Quartet and career advice

(00:44:35) Strolling violin gigs, wedding singer

(00:47:41) John Adams, "Dharma at Big Sur", solo recital versions of concerti

(00:50:00) Looping with demo

(00:57:27) Album "Beats and Jams" with son "Toby Beats"

(01:02:11)Terry Riley

(01:24:03) process of improvisation, Strum bowing different styles

(01:17:47) Egberto Gismonti, Darol Anger

(01:22:00) teaching, strum bowing in school music programs

(01:24:43)Turtle Island String Quartet, Darol Anger and the origin of strum bowing

(01:28:08) music affects our emotions

(01:32:10) Roy "Futureman" Wooten, positive mindset

(01:37:30) challenges with the 2020 lockdowns

(01:44:35) commission for "Ficciones" with different orchestras

(01:46:22)Tracy's mission with string playing, practicing, advice

This was originally released in 2022. The internationally renowned South African guitarist Derek Gripper is famous for his groundbreaking technique for evoking the West African kora on the guitar. During this episode you’ll get to hear Derek play quite a bit and you will hear his wonderful insights on how we listen to and learn music, the influence of Montessori and Alexander Technique in his life, his reflections on important collaborations in his career and his perspectives on changes that have been imposed on creators and performers.

My website for the video and transcript

Derek Gripper Website

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(00:00:00) Introduction (00:01:45) Bach guitar music with intro (00:04:00) carnatic music studies, album with tabla player Udai Mazumdar (00:06:12) structural improvisation, Bach (00:08:18) Alexander Technique (00:15:28) violin studies (00:16:24) Derek's recording approach (00:20:30) “Billly Goes to Durban” (00:21:28) kora music, Toumani Diabaté (00:25:18) “Tubaka” guitar music (00:26:36) Derek’s transcriptions, Zoom classes (00:30:12) online music economy, Derek’s experiences with selling albums, Platoon label (00:35:35) Montessori method and teaching guitar (00:39:38) "A Year of Swimming" (00:41:34) Alex Van Heerden, “Sagtevlei”, Steve Reich, Bryan Bolton (00:45:36) Guy Buttery and different collaborations (00:48:12) South Africa and COVID’s economic ramifications (00:49:43) Madosini (00:52:06) World Music as a genre and marketing tool (00:58:23) Derek’s style of performing (01:00:31) mental health, touring, mindset with Alexander Technique inhibition and internal resistance (01:04:42) "Seeing Nobody" guitar music (01:07:00) reflections on Derek’s career, being South African, John Williams, Lucy Duran (01:11:30) Derek’s guitars, Paul Galbraith Brahms guitar, “Bloomdorns”, Hermann Hauser, just intonation and bending notes, oud, lute, veena, (01:17:36) Derek’s advice and reflections on too much input

photo: Luke Young

I'm re-releasing this episode, because my improvising ensemble Collected Strands have just released our second album, Volume 2, also with beautiful cover art by Maryanne Moodie.

This is a special episode of my podcast, celebrating Volume 1 with my improvising ensemble Collected Strands. The other musicians in the group have all been featured previously on this series, and you’ll find the links to those episodes below, with cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne, pianist James McGowan and drummer Mike Essoudry. I’m also delighted that you will get to know the inspiring Australian artist, educator and author Maryanne Moodie who’s woven art graces the cover of this album. You’ll find the link to her work as well. I am also releasing the interview with Maryanne as a separate stand-alone bonus episode connected to this episode. I feel that all my listeners who love music and creativity will find that Maryanne’s personal journey and perspectives will resonate strongly with them, and I hope some listeners in the weaving and art world will also be inspired by the musicians!

We are including excerpts from the album during this episode, and you can listen to both albums here: Bandcamp

Streaming services Volume 1

Streaming services Volume 2

To listen to my individual episodes with the members of the group, head over to my website where you'll also find the video and transcript of this episode.

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photo of Collected Strands: Curtis Perry

cold open with Raphael Weinroth-Browne (00:47) excerpt from Solace, Volume 1 Collected Strands (01:45) intro about the episode, Maryanne Moodie (03:45) James and Leah talk about recording the album, the process of improvising (07:35) intro to Unsettled Night with excerpt (10:16) group discussion, Mike Essoudry using bass bow, creative process in improvisation (12:20) percussive, random textures intro to Chaotic Kittens with excerpt (15:15) Mike and James on creative process (19:25)James and Leah on putting the album together, choosing titles, intro to Baroquinerie with clip (23:58) Raph’s perspectives on improvisation, group discussion (34:52) Leah and James genres, improvised chamber music, intro to Summer’s Eve with clip (38:03) Interview with artist Maryanne Moodie: her start in weaving, writing her books, nurturing our creativity creating commissions, how the audience takes in art, the community of weavers (55:09) ways you can support this podcast (56:03) group discussion, audiences (01:00:37) comments on The Long Journey Home and Summer’s Eve, A Simple Magic with clip