Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

por Leah Roseman
Sociedad y Cultura
Temporada 5

Collected Strands Improvising Ensemble and Weaver Maryanne Moodie (re-release)

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. Newsletter sign-up Podcast Merch 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
T5 · E32
4 ago 2025
1:08:57

Maya Youssef: Teaching Arabic Music, Overcoming Challenges, and her Creative Life Through the Qanun

I’m delighted to welcome Maya Youssef, the world-renowned "Queen of the qanun" and innovative British-Syrian educator .You can also watch on YouTube, and the transcript is linked as well to my website: Maya shares with us how her frustrations with the traditional teaching of Arabic music led her to develop her unique system for teaching musicians and dancers in a completely different way. She also shared her past personal crisis as a victim of domestic abuse and how she found the strength to get out of that danger, which is shockingly pervasive. In fact, she said that she chooses to be vulnerable in sharing this because we never know who is listening. You will be uplifted with clips from Maya’s beautiful second album Finding Home, which I encourage you to buy, and you’ll find all Maya’s projects linked in her website . She also talked to me about her exciting upcoming projects in 2026, including her book about learning and teaching Arabic music, her upcoming album and tours, and her wonderful collaborators. Maya spent the interview with her kanun and you’ll hear her demonstrate several times, including a beautiful improvisation on maqam Rast. Newsletter Podcast Merch Buy me a coffee to support this series? Thanks! I’ve linked several episodes I’m sure you’ll love: Ali Omar El-Farouk Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto Kelly Thoma Mohamed Assani Olcay Bayir (00:00) Intro (02:07) the kanun with demonstrations (08:15) Maya’s youth in Syria (12:38) clip of Silver Lining and more about Maya’s musical education (19:57) challenges with learning taqsim, and how she developed her method (31:13) qanun music: taqsim on maqam Rast (33:03) improvising, composing (35:18) other linked episodes and ways to support this podcast (36:04) musical influences and composing (38:26) clip of An Invitation to Daydream (38:24) avoiding injuries, album Finding Home, creative process with clip of In My Mother’s Sweet Embrace (44:30) Al MacSween, Elizabeth Nott (46:37) about Soul Fever with clip (51:14) Leo Abrahams (53:21) learning from mentors, learning to be entrepreneurial, clip From My Homeland (57:00) surviving domestic abuse and the importance of speaking about it (01:04:01) SOAS graduate school Musicology (01:06:06) Aziza Mustafa Zadeh (01:07:38) two versions of Walk With Me, with clip of version with Leo Abrahams (01:11:05) Maya’s upcoming book about learning and teaching Arabic music, new album, balancing her career
T5 · E31
31 jul 2025
1:16:01

Lily Henley: Sephardic Identity, Ladino Language and Songwriting

The wonderful singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and scholar Lily Henley sings in the endangered language Ladino and during this podcast you’ll hear clips from her album Oras Dezaoradas. Blending her roots in American and Celtic music, Lily creates powerful original music that honours centuries of Sephardic women’s voices. These songs tell timeless stories of love, loss, exile, and resilience, sharing her personal connection to this important tradition. You’ll also learn about: Sephardic history and contemporary communities Lily’s unusual childhood how she’s learned to trust her voice Like all my episodes, you can also watch this on my YouTube channel and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website. Lily Henley Website Newsletter Buy me a coffee? Podcast Merch Other Episodes for you: Polina Shepherd Ida Gillner Jean Rohe Kavisha Mazzella Yale Strom Alicia Svigals Catalog of Episodes (00:00) intro (01:39) Sephardic culture and history, Ladino language, album Oras Dezaoradas (11:15) clip of Porke Yorach Blanka Ninya, Paris Ladino mentors Marie-Christine Bornes-Varol, François Azar (13:41) about Esta Noche Te Amare with clip, Fulbright, Paris Sephardic community (21:53) how close is Ladino to Spanish, clip of Duermite mi Alma, Susana Weich-Shahak, starting Doctorate at Harvard (29:44) other linked episodes and ways to support this series (30:39) balancing academic life and touring (33:40) Lily’s childhood (39:11) about Arvoles Yoran Por Luvya with clip, Dunca Wickel (44:49) first album Words Like Yours (48:23) Morena Me Yaman clip, identity as singer and multi-instrumentalist (57:12) why there’s a track of fiddle tunes with clip
T5 · E30
26 jul 2025
59:47

Exploring Global Soundscapes with Karen Power: Arctic Ice, Namibian Bats & Inclusive Music-Making

Karen Power is an Irish composer who uses environmental sounds in her intriguing work. She is a master field recordist who has recorded sounds in some of the worlds most isolated and challenging locations including The Arctic, Amazon, and Namib Desert. You'll hear clips of her work including The Bats of Namibia, Frogs of Angor Wat, fascinating bog sounds and arctic ice sounds in collaborations with the Quiet Music Ensemble and many brilliant collaboraters on her project human nature. She’s also shared with us a raw field recording from a double cicada brood emergence. Karen and I also talked about her projects working to explore listeneing, composing and improvising with young children and inclusive music making with people living with disabiliities. You can also watch this on my YouTube channel; I’ve also linked the transcript. Episode link It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Ko-fi support page Podcast merch Newsletter Karen Power website human nature album we return to ground Other episodes: Lawrence English Ceara Conway Jesse Stewart Philip Griffin Verna Gillis Ellen Waterman (00:00) Intro (02:22) field recording (11:44) recording bats, human nature album with clip of Bats of Namibia (16:30) different kinds of scores to communicate with the musicians (21:32) we return to ground album with the Quiet Music Ensemble (23:47) clip of Instruments of Ice (25:37) Sonic Pollinators with clip (27:27) we return to ground with clip (33:51) other linked episodes you’ll like (34:42) collaboration with Loré Lixenburg Language Land Sea (41:51) Thomas Buckner, Frogs of Angkor Wat with clip (43:30)Pauline Oliveros, Sirens of New York with clip (47:55) Natural Creators Program for young children (53:45) inclusive ensembles for adults living with disabilities (58:50) Blackbirds, Jessical Cottis (01:01:31) women composers problems with equity (01:06:50) cicadas
T5 · E29
18 jul 2025
1:12:31

Teagan Faran: Exploring Contemporary Violin, Electroacoustic Sound, Tango Traditions & Teaching Philosophy

Teagan Faran is a remarkable violinist known for her versatility as a performer, composer, and improviser. In this episode, you’ll hear selections from her album Middle Child—a compelling and genre-spanning musical journey featuring works by acclaimed contemporary composers, as well as Tegan’s own reimagining of Brahms’ beloved Intermezzo. A Fulbright grant recipient, Tegan spent nine months in Argentina delving into the rich traditions of tango and regional folk music. She shared insights about her time there, along with stories of collaboration and mentorship, including her work with the Grammy-nominated ensemble Palaver Strings and the electroacoustic duo Persephone & the Phoenix. Tegan has also built a dynamic career as an educator and has studied under renowned teachers like Danielle Belen. In our conversation, we touched on her diverse teaching experiences, the importance of injury prevention, and her parallel path as a certified personal trainer. My website link takes you to the video and transcript. Teagan Faran Website Buy me a coffee? Podcast merch Other episodes you may enjoy: Julie Lyonn Lieberman Meg Okura Martha Mooke, bad snacks, and Margaret Maria among so many! photo: Naomi Vand Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:53) album Middle Child with clip of Brahms Intermezzo (05:42) Davis West, with clip of Outermezzo, Deedee Bridgewater (08:44) Palaver Strings (15:58) FARAHMS Misha Vayman with clip (17:59) Persephone & the Phoenix Duo Nicole Brancato (22:51) Casimiro by Julián Granciano with clip, tango, learning in Argentina (28:31) Little Things album, sheet music with clip of El Silbador (34:22) other linked episodes and ways to support this series (35:11) stir crazy by Carlos Simon with clip, Leo Sussman (37:01) mentor Matt Albert (40:41) musical and personal identity (44:24) mentor Danielle Belen, concert presentation, teaching, Ithica, Sphinx (53:06) career advice, exploring instruments (56:29) Temptress Jens Ibsen with clip (59:37) personal trainer, avoiding injury
T5 · E28
11 jul 2025
1:02:44

Olcay Bayir on Alevi Roots, Anatolian Folk & Her Album Tu Gul î

I’m joined by the extraordinary Olcay Bayir, a British singer-songwriter of Kurdish Alevi origin, originally from Turkey. Olcay opens up about the challenges of immigrating as a teenager, her classical training in opera, and how she has forged her own unique musical path. You’ll hear clips from her 2024 album Tu Gulî, along with selections from her earlier projects, featuring songs in several languages. Her rich voice and evocative arrangements breathe new life into Anatolian folk traditions, offering a vibrant and powerful reimagining of this timeless music. In our conversation, Olcay shares: Insights into Alevi culture and spirituality How she honours the strength and stories of Anatolian women her creative process and inspiration from masterful collaborators As always, you can watch this episode on my YouTube channel or listen on your favourite podcast platform. A full transcript is also available, all linked on my website Support page: Ko-fi Podcast merch Newsletter Other episodes I suggest: Omo Bello Sophie Lukacs Gilad Weiss Shahriyar Jamshidi Ali Omar El-Farouk Shirley Kazuyo Muramoto (00:00) Intro (01:54) Songline Music Festival, BBC project, Babel Music Expo inspiration (04:05) album Tu Gul î (07:32) clip of Edlê with Olcay’s intro, from Tu Gul î (08:15) Songwriting, performing in 4 languages, diversity of Anatolian cultures (12:15) Alevi culture (15:12) clip of Ötme Bülbül with Olcay’s intro, poet Pir Sultan Abdal (17:18) choices in instrumentation and arrangements, Ignacio Monteverde (19:46) clip of Ay Dilberê with Olcay’s intro, poet Feqiyê Teyran (21:27) the sad story of Husna, with clip (25:56) childhood in Turkey, how music helped her with the challenges of immigration (29:09) clips of Daha Senden Gayrı Aşık Mı Yoktur? and Nare, Nare with Olcay’s commentary (32:46) Other epiosdes you’ll enjoy and ways to help this series (33:49) opera studies, early musical experiences, coaching vocal technique (36:51) performance skills (40:10) 2nd album Rüya, clip of Yar Dedi, creative process (42:21) içerde EP, Help Musicians UK, clip of Lost Child (46:15) newfound joy in baking and cooking as a creative pursuit, buying the albums on Bandcamp
T5 · E27
3 jul 2025
50:09

Joel Styzens: Relax Your Ears: Joel Styzens on Hearing Damage & Musical Recovery

Joel Styzens is a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose career as a drummer was transformed due to sudden hearing damage. He talked to me about dealing with the physical and psychological effets of hyper acusis and tinnitus, the beauty of hammered dulcimer, and you’ll hear clips from his first 2 albums Relax Your Ears and Resonance. He’s a music educator who loves to help students to make discoveries on their own and we spoke about Joel’s passion for all kinds of artistic expression, and his positive recent experience at the Ragdale Artist residency. Joel’s personal story is so inspiring, and his music is so beautiful; please check out his albums . You can also watch this on YouTube and the Transcript is also linked to my website Support this series! It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Would you like to know about upcoming guests? Newsletter sign-up Podcast merch Other episodes you'll like: Jack Hui Litster Kirsten Agresta Copely Margaret Maria Follow the podcast on social media Photo of Joel: Sarah Boudreau (00:00) Intro (02:49) Joel’s sudden hearing problems (09:47) meeting his wife through his music with clip of Viv (17:51) inspired from the Botanic Gardens in Chicago (20:28) video clip from Waterfall Garden featuring hammered dulcimer (20:32) clip from Burijji (24:51) David’s Dulcimers (28:52) dealing with tinnitus and hyperacusis (34:39) support from family, clips of Lifeline and Memento M (38:34) Other episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series (39:26) cellists Sophie Webber, Katinka Kleijn, ATLYS string quartet, Rob Clearfield (41:41) teaching multi-instrumentalist approach (53:32) Ragdale residency, exploring different forms of creative expression
T5 · E26
28 jun 2025
1:00:23

Healing Through Music: Amanda Martinez on Grief, Mental Health & Her Album Recuerdo

Amanda Martinez writes and records mostly in Spanish, the language of her Mexican dad who biked all the way from Mexico to Canada, and you’ll learn how Amanda’s recent album Recuerdo helped her process her grief going through the illness and death of her father. Amanda is also an actor, and you’ll hear about some of her experiences acting, including My Little Pony, Kim’s Convenience and Rosie’s Rules for which she has composed songs. Amanda came to her acting and music career after pursuing science and business, and you’ll be inspired to hear how she navigated serious personal challenges to following her true path. She shares great wisdom about the importance of talking about mental health and also some of her personal tips for living a full and fullfilled life. You’ll be hearing clips from a few songs from the album Recuerdo, as well as Libérame from Libre featuring Kellylee Evans. You’ll also find Martinez’s music on several Putamayo world music compilation albums. Please check out the links to other episodes you'll like below. Transcript and video on my website Buy me a coffee? Thanks! Podcast merch Newsletter Libérame video Other episodes you'll like: Kellylee Evans Jean Rohe Fern Lindzon Jah’Mila Kavisha Mazzella Shakura S’aida (00:00) Intro (02:33) album Recuerdo, Amanda’s dad Gustavo (10:55) the band (12:36) clip of Sol de Ayer (13:30) Afro-Cuban influence, long-time collaborators (14:59) identity as a musician, mentors (18:55) grief, song with Aviva Chernick (21:22) clip of No te vayas (22:42) performing in South Africa (25:56) Amanda’s teen years (28:17) Other episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series! (29:11) love of dance (31:21) writing lyrics in Spanish (33:16) clip of Release Me (34:00) mental health challenges and background in business (46:01) Libérame with Kellylee Evans (link to video in show notes) (49:40) Namibia SOS Children’s Villages (53:38) Acting career, Rosie’s Rules, My Little Pony, Ari Posner, Carl the Collecctor (59:33) typecasting, Kim’s Convenience, memorizing lines (01:04:40) personal routines and mental health, family
T5 · E25
21 jun 2025
1:14:17

Heather Taves: her Beethoven Journey, Fascinating Research, Developing Creativity

Heather Taves is an acclaimed Canadian pianist, also a composer, improviser, educator and writer. She spoke to me about her unique and inspiring Beethoven Journey, her popular weekly blog which she started in 2023 , paired with performances of all of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas. We talked about getting to know Beethoven as a person and her fascinating research about many women that are part of this history. We also talked about Heather’s work as an educator, developing creativity and approaching teaching music from different angles. She spoke about her mentors including pianist Gil Kalish and writer Diane Shoemperlen, and her experiences travelling around the world by herself. You can also watch this on my YouTube channel, transcript and complete show notes with suggested episodes too on my website! Heather Taves website It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Buy me a coffee? Podcast merch Newsletter sign-up Waves Play from East Coast Suite Arabesque in C major by R. Schumann photo: Terry Manzo (00:00) Intro (02:25) Beethoven Journey, Nanette Streicher, sonata cycle (08:32) Jan and Jean Narveson, Anton Kuerti, women interpreters research (17:52) clip of R. Schumann Arabesque in C major (album linked in show notes) (19:30) Heather’s childhood (22:11) East Coast Suite, Toccata based on Fibonacci series (23:14) Waves Play Toccata by Heather Taves from East Coast Suite (25:49)Creative Projects, helping students to find their voice (32:44) getting to know Beethoven the person (38:39) performing from memory (41:20) Gil Kalish (45:48) other episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series (46:42) Beethoven journey blog (59:18) writing mentor Diane Schoemperlen (01:043:23) Dame Myra Hess (01:07:54) Heather’s life as a composer, her father (01:11:35) world trip, questioning identity (01:16:48) final reflections on the life of a performer
T5 · E24
12 jun 2025
1:19:17

Renée Yoxon: Trans Voice Teacher, Jazz and Disability Rights (re-release)

Archive highlight, originally released in 2023: Renée Yoxon is a trans non-binary singer, songwriter, jazz musician, and trans voice teacher. Renee shares some beautiful and inspiring performances from their albums, as well as stories from life as a disabled person and how their disability and chronic pain has guided the direction of their career. We talk about their musical development, and their experiences both bad and good as they navigated their musical education (after finishing a degree in physics!). Renée explains the kind of work they do with trans vocal exploration and we dive into all kinds of topics in the usual tangential style of this series. The transcript and video are linked here on my website Buy me a coffee? Podcast merch Renée Yoxon website Newsletter sign-up photo: Laurence Philomène podcast theme music: Nick Kold Timestamps: (00:00:00) Intro (00:01:21) Renée’s physics degree, start in school band, Jazz Works camp (00:04:19) free improv group, intergenerational friendships (00:06:38) intro to “Willow Weep for Me” by Ann Ronell (00:08:53) “Willow Weep for Me” with René Gely (00:13:57) piano, ukulele (00:15:26) “Beautiful Alchemy”, film with Teagan Lance and album (00:17:14) “Terrible Alchemy” (00:23:19) Blossom Dearie (00:23:52) worldless improv (00:24:37) studies in New York, living as a disabled person, vocal technique (00:29:33) singing in rock band “Gorgeous George”, care of the voice and endurance training (00:32:20) trans voice aleration, TikTok success, pitch lowering, taking risks and learning to be silly (00:40:14) gender presentation and gender identity (00:42:35) ways we can alter the voice (00:45:09) different languages in terms of vocal alteration, vocal fry and gendered cutural coding for vocal characteristics (00:47:52) TikTok (00:49:22) teaching Trans Voice Alteration to other teachers (00:51:45) the importance of teaching business skills to musicians, University of Limerick, Edel Meade (00:55:58) Banff, McGill, growing up in Ottawa, the importance of mentors, Mark Ferguson, René Gely (01:00:29) social anxiety, speaking in public with a different voice or new language (01:02:38) different people who take Renée’s courses on voice alteration (01:03:18) songwriting, Aoife McAtamney Pink Breath (01:04:27) “Drinking Coffee” (01:08:58) songs “The Bad Years” about their chronic illness (01:10:27) Kazaa music sharing, learning jazz repertoire (01:12:53) Renée’s perspective on the music industry as a disabled person, and experiences at McGill university with lack of accessibility (01:17:46) Mx non-binary honorific, the importance of pronouns (01:20:32) disability rights, more about their McGill experience (01:22:45) Montreal
T5 · E23
7 jun 2025
1:24:32
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