Living the arts
Here is my recent interview for the Iowa Arts Council ‘Live the Arts in Iowa’ series.
What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Listen. It’s a quality that my principal conducting teacher, Gustav Meier, emphasized both on and off the podium.
What is a piece of advice you wish to give to others?
To young musicians: Stay in close touch with your love of music - it’s the only thing you can rely on in an often difficult and unpredictable profession.
To listeners: Never be distracted by how others define musical genres or by preconceptions of what you are about to hear - just open your ears and allow the sound to move you.
Tell us in 10 words or less what music means to you.
To paraphrase Mahler - a whole world of sounds.
Where do you find the most inspiration from and why? Who has inspired you the most?
As much as I love orchestral music, especially that of Mozart, Mahler, Stravinsky and others, it’s not the only thing that inspires me. I draw inspiration from music of all kinds [hip hop to Latin to baroque cantatas] and I am also a student and lover of art, design, photography and literature. I also find great inspiration in nature, and in the personal challenge of confronting it physically [as I do on bike and skis] or harnessing its processes though gardening.
What did you do last Friday night?
Got some rest. And the next day I led the WCFSO through a full rehearsal of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, had two wonderful pre-concert discussions with patrons and then performed the piece. Pretty typical schedule for me, actually; at least one day most weekends between September and May finds me introducing music and onstage. When I’m not working Friday nights I like to spend time at home with my wife, Jenette, and our dog, Lucy [and, in the near future, with our first child].
If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be?
Mozart, my favorite artist. I’d love to grab a beer with him and pitch a commission or collaboration.
What is one of the most surprising or unexpected musical experiences you’ve had?
One of the things I love about my career is that surprising things happen all of the time. I find that the impact of my work is definitely diminished if I don’t challenge myself, my colleagues, and my listeners with new and unique musical experiences as often as possible.
What are some plans/wishes you have for the future?
I feel very fortunate to be living my dream - sharing my love of music with all kinds of audiences almost every single week - at such a young age. As I look to the future, my primary hope is that I can continue to learn and grow as an artist and make ever more immediate connections with audiences.
