Today we release part one of our interview with International prize-winning violinist Ada Witczyk.   She’s a dual citizen of Poland and Britain, and is the recipient of numerous awards such as the Henry Wood Award, the Star Award by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, and the Margot MacGibbon Award.  As both a modern and baroque violinist, Ada has performed at many of the UK’s most prestigious venues and festivals including Buckingham Palace, Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and Royal Albert Hall. Ada has performed with renowned ensembles such as the Gabrieli Consort, The English Concert, and The Academy of Ancient Music. 

Ada offers a unique perspective on the significance of supporting new music in a society that often favors the old. She delves into her own experiences of inspiring over 150 compositions for the Baroque violin, and shares her insights on the contrast between period and modern instruments. Our conversation also explores the importance of new music for period instruments, shedding light on Ada’s passion for the genre.

But that's not all! Ada also spills the tea on her experiences learning social media marketing and branding. As classical musicians navigate the digital age, she offers her insights on how to connect with new audiences and break free from the perfectionism that can sometimes hinder creativity. Finally, we reflect on the role of mistakes in creating compelling narratives in music and beyond. As always, we appreciate your support for the podcast be it through tuning in, subscribing or spreading the word. Join us for this must-listen episode that promises to intrigue both music enthusiasts and budding artists!

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This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Kate Schroeder and her husband Thayer Bray. Kate is the artist behind Kate Schroeder Ceramics, whose works are in collections around the globe. Before becoming a full-time artist, she spent nearly a decade as an educator, and spent several years working in non-profits. She also managed Accessible Arts, a not-for-profit arts organization which specialized in teaching art to people with disabilities. Thayer is a printmaker with experience as a shop assistant at the Lawrence Lithography Workshop, a gallery assistant at Crane Yard Clay, and teaches bookbinding, papermaking, and lithography workshops. Thayer also helps with many aspects of the ceramics business. Join us as we touch upon a wide variety of entrepreneurial activities in this interview.

Join us as we engage with Kate Schrader and Thayer Bray, who transformed Kate's love for art into a thriving enterprise, Kate Schrader Ceramics. We traverse their journey from selling directly to customers to expanding into B2B selling, and discuss how Kate's lively personality has contributed to their successful navigation through the art entrepreneurship landscape.

Learn about the challenges of selling art online, the complexities of mission-driven and product-driven businesses, and how setting up a retirement plan can ease tax burdens and aid in future planning. 

Finally, Kate and Thayer share their top advice and lessons learned on making art more accessible and reaching a wider audience, and more. They emphasize the importance of starting with online selling, being unafraid to ask questions, and offering lower threshold educational experiences. Tune in and get inspired to explore your artistic passions!

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with Kate Schroeder and her husband Thayer Bray. Kate is the artist behind Kate Schroeder Ceramics, whose works are in collections around the globe. Before becoming a full-time artist, she spent nearly a decade as an educator, and spent several years working in non-profits. She also managed Accessible Arts, a not-for-profit arts organization which specialized in teaching art to people with disabilities. Thayer is a printmaker with experience as a shop assistant at the Lawrence Lithography Workshop, a gallery assistant at Crane Yard Clay, and teaches bookbinding, papermaking, and lithography workshops. Thayer also helps with many aspects of the ceramics business. Join us as we touch upon a wide variety of entrepreneurial activities in this interview.

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This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with British conductor, Timothy Redmond. He’s a regular guest conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata, and Professor of Conducting at the Guildhall School of London and a visiting tutor at the Royal Academy of Music. Tim is also the Principal Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Know The Score ®concerts and Co-Creator of Royal Albert Hall’s My Great Orchestral Adventure.™ Passionate about training future conductors, is the co-founder of the international conducting course "And Other Duties."

In this episode:
We take a thrilling journey into Redmond's creative process, how he brings concerts alive and makes the orchestra the star of the show - all with a dash of imagination. Our conversation doesn't stop at the art of music, we also dive into the heart of music education and the future of orchestras. Tim shares his unique approach to conducting family and education shows, revealing how to strike a balance that allows both the orchestra and presenter to shine. We also hit on the changing tides of classical music and the art of networking for young conductors. But we don't shy away from the hard parts - managing difficult musicians, the role of psychology in it, and the challenges of being an arts entrepreneur. Yet, with Tim's invaluable artistic and entrepreneurial advice, we learn that the rewards are worth the hurdles, and above all, the importance of making arts accessible to all. So sit back and let the orchestra play on!

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This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with British conductor, Timothy Redmond. He’s a regular guest conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata, and Professor of Conducting at the Guildhall School of London and a visiting tutor at the Royal Academy of Music. Tim is also the Principal Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Know The Score ®concerts and Co-Creator of Royal Albert Hall’s My Great Orchestral Adventure.™ Passionate about training future conductors, is the co-founder of the international conducting course And Other Duties.

In this episode:
​From his early training as an oboist to becoming a respected conductor and professor, Timothy takes us behind the music, offering vivid insights into his passion for contemporary pieces and his approach to designing educational concerts worldwide.

Journey alongside Timothy as he recounts the delicate dance of earning respect as a young conductor. Listen closely as he shares the importance of reading the room, earning respect, and not merely imposing ideas. Get an inside look at his first experience conducting the London Symphony Orchestra and how he mastered the art of managing large crowds. As Timothy peels back the layers of his craft, we delve into the complexity of stepping in as a cover conductor and the accompanying challenges.

The world of recording orchestras is no less fascinating. Timothy takes us into the heart of Abbey Road Studios, recounting his experiences recording with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Natasha Marsh. He illuminates how the recording process has evolved over the last century and the unique demands of recording different genres. As he shares invaluable tips on earning respect from lauded ensembles and the essential role of connecting with the audience, prepare to have your curiosity ignited by the captivating world of orchestras. Join us on this magnificent musical journey with Timothy Redmond!

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