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Thursdays @ Three

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Q&A With Emily & James

What does All Classical Radio mean to you? How would you describe the station to someone who is not familiar with it?

Emily: I’ve been listening to All Classical since the moment I first moved to Portland in 2011. I scanned the radio waves, found the classical music station, and that was that. Since then, I’ve volunteered during fundraisers, gotten to know the on-air hosts, performed on Thursdays at Three, and been involved in the Recording Inclusivity Initiative, not to mention logging hundreds of listening hours in the car and at home! I truly can’t imagine my musical life in Portland without All Classical Radio.

James: All Classical is the station that we listen to most often in the car and around the house. It’s a place where we expect to hear a wide variety of classical music, ranging from internationally renowned recordings to live local performances featuring our friends and colleagues. The station and the hosts are very accessible to the public and to performing musicians in Oregon, which sets All Classical apart from other stations.

What do you hope to accomplish with this residency?

James: I’d like to focus in part on activities that involve both Emily and me together, for instance, an on-going composition project that I’ve been working on which focuses on expanding the repertoire for Violin and Clarinet. I’m a composer myself, and I’ve completed around 15 new duos, many of which we have recorded this summer. I hope to approach some other composers about adding works to this project.

I’d also love to try and share my own personal experiences as a musician, including the good, bad, and ugly. Of course, musicians face pressures to present a “curated” version of ourselves to the public. However, as artists I think we have a duty to show all sides of our humanity, because art deals with the full range of human emotions. I’d like to discuss and write about the up and down relationship I’ve had with my instrument and music over the years, and what it takes to keep the passion alive through the various successes and failures one encounters on the journey of crafting a life in the performing arts.

Emily: I’m so looking forward to collaborative opportunities within the All Classical community, including with the Young Artist in Residence and ICAN. James and I plan to be present both in person and over the airwaves, and we are especially excited about helping to celebrate the opening of the James DePreist Recording Studio!

You are involved with a few organizations who champion works by women and musicians of color in your performances. How important is supporting works by underrepresented musicians for you?

Emily: With my string quartet, mousai REMIX (with violinist Shin-Young Kwon, violist Jennifer Arnold, and cellist Marilyn deOliveira), I’ve been fortunate to study and perform works by underrepresented composers from the past as well as a diverse array of composers working today. It’s been a rich experience for us over the years, and it’s rewarding to know that each and every performance expands the music’s reach.

James: I think classical music is still very much in a time where we need to focus consciously on diversifying our repertoire. It would be great if this could be a more subconscious process, but I think we’ll need to put active attention towards performing more works by underrepresented composers for at least a few more generations. Things are changing in a more positive direction though. Little by little the conversations musicians tend to have about “oh, have you heard so and so’s music?” or “you gotta check out this piece” are shifting to include more and more works by folks who aren’t dead, white, European males. This is a welcome change, and we need to make sure this trend continues.

Our Artists in Residence often mentors our Young Artist in Residence and youth ambassadors. Do you have any advice for young musicians just getting started in their musical career?

James: Focus on what you love most of all, and listen to lots of music. Be openminded about where your career might lead you. There are many ways to be a professional musician, and some activities will be a better fit for you and what you are most interested in will shift over time. I have been fortunate to have a diverse range of interests, ranging from composing, teaching, orchestral performing, chamber music performing, and arts management and advocacy. Having many interests will both make you more employable and will give you the opportunity to fine-tune how you are spending your time if things get stale. And I’d say cherish your friends in the arts – they may become lifelong collaborators.

Emily: My best advice for young musicians: learn to take precious care of your body and mind! A performing career can be physically and emotionally taxing, and you must be your own advocate every step of the way. Being a respectful colleague and retaining a curious spirit are also crucial!

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Enjoy this video of Coty’s journey as a music educator, submitted as part of her award nomination.

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ABOUT

Coty Raven Morris joined the All Classical Radio team in May 2023, and was the host of the station’s 2024 summer series, Sound in Print. In addition to her role as on air radio host, she is a featured author on the All Classical Radio Arts Blog, and a familiar voice on ICAN Radio, the station’s 24-hour arts and music network for children, their families, caregivers, and educators.

Coty is the Hinckley Assistant Professor of Music Education and Social Justice at Portland State University. She is the Northwest Choral Representative for the National Association for Music Education, as well as the Community Choir Chair for Northwest region of the American Choral Directors Association. Coty is also the Founder of Being Human Together, a community rooted in music education striving to normalize difficult topics – like mental health, systemic oppression, diversity, and inclusivity – through conversation and connection.

Read the official press release from the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum to learn more.

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All Classical Radio’s “Music Heals” campaign is a community effort to celebrate the power of healing through music. The station invited musicians, conductors, music and art therapy professionals, and more to share their Healing Notes: reflections on their experiences with healing music. Keep reading to learn about our special guests and listen to interviews on demand. 

You can help keep the healing going.

Listener support makes everything we do at All Classical Radio possible, from daily handcrafted playlists to special guest appearances that share a behind-the-scenes look into the music you love. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today to ensure continued access to All Classical Radio’s community-funded service. We hope you will share your story of healing when you get in touch.

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Naomi LaViolette

Naomi LaViolette is a versatile composer, pianist, and singer-songwriter whose music is not only influenced by her classical education but also by her study of jazz, folk songs, soul, pop, and gospel. As a singer, Naomi attributes songwriting in her early 20s as a way to process strong emotions and experiences. With four albums of original music under her belt and many more singles, Naomi writes songs filled “with the stories, emotions, celebrations, and struggles of what it means to be human.”

Under the artist name Lucente Skye, Naomi writes works for solo piano that assist in mindfulness and meditation. With song names such as “Hope,” “Discovering Peace,” and “Now,” Naomi is helping listeners incorporate more calm and peace in their daily lives.

Listen to Naomi’s conversation on air with Christa Wessel (9/6/24):

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David Danzmayr

David Danzmayr is widely considered one of his generation’s most dynamic and exciting conductors. Having served as Music Director of the Oregon Symphony since 2021, David is no stranger to All Classical’s local listeners. As Music Director, David has made a name for himself as a force of positivity and adventurousness. His programming is diverse and collaborative, with a particular focus on access to education and building community around the arts. Mixing European and American standards with a steady stream of new works and pieces by historically overlooked composers, David is influencing the future of concert programming from the heart of Portland.

In addition to his work with the Oregon Symphony, David leads the versatile ProMusica Chamber Orchestra Columbus and holds the title of Honorary Conductor of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra.

Listen to David’s conversation on air with Brandi Parisi (9/9/24):

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Elaina Stuppler

Elaina Stuppler is an award-winning composer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist who, despite her young age, already has an extraordinary list of commissions, premieres, and accolades under her belt. Currently serving as All Classical’s Young Artist in Residence and Co-Principal Trombonist for Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP), Elaina is making a name for herself regionally and around the world. Elaina’s passion for music is inspired by her desire to share her love of the art form with the wider community and form opportunities for connection. When asked about her process for composing, Elaina noted, “What I enjoy most about composing is that it is a creative sanctuary that allows me to channel my emotions through music.”

Listen to Elaina’s conversation on air with Christa Wessel (9/10/24):

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Dr. Larry Sherman

Dr. Larry Sherman is a Professor of Neuroscience at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and serves on multiple national and international scientific panels. Dr. Sherman’s research on brain development and neurodegenerative diseases has been printed in over 100 publications. As a public speaker, one of his most sought-after topics of discussion is the neuroscience of music, which was expanded upon even further in his book (co-authored with Dennis Plies), Every Brain Needs Music: The Neuroscience of Making and Listening to Music. As music and art programs continue to get cut from educational institutions, Dr. Sherman is using his research to verify the importance of music and other creative endeavors to human brain development, brain aging, and overall human well-being.

Listen to Dr. Sherman’s conversation on air with Suzanne Nance (9/11/24):

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Ethan Sperry

Ethan Sperry is a renowned choral conductor responsible for bringing Portland State’s Chamber Choir to international renown. As Director of Choral Activities at PSU and Artistic Director and Conductor of the distinguished Oregon Repertory Singers, Ethan’s leadership promotes the power of artistic collaboration to make a positive impact on the community. He believes in music’s ability to capture essential human experiences and bring them to life for listeners. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that Ethan has transformed the way local audiences feel about choral music—his performances are often noted as exhilarating and meaningful.

In addition to having recorded several award-winning albums, Ethan is a prolific arranger of World Music for Choir and a frequent collaborator with film composer AR Rahman.

Listen to Ethan’s conversation on air with Brandi Parisi (9/11/24):

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Anna Schaum

Anna Schaum is a violist, mental health specialist, and founder/ proprietor of The Center for Sound Relationships, an organization that creates generative community through events that foster sound personal, professional, and societal relationships. Through her work, she uses music to help groups come together into community. Anna specializes in personal growth and views the human condition “as a giant opportunity to keep expanding awareness and exercising creativity to meet challenges.”

Listen to Anna’s interview, produced by Lisa Lipton and Christa Wessel (9/12/24):

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Kenji Bunch

Kenji Bunch is a composer, violist, and educator whose music transcends cultural or generational barriers and inspires empathetic connections with his listeners. As one of the most frequently performed composers of the Pacific Northwest, Kenji writes music to entertain, inspire, and facilitate healing. In collaboration with George Takei, Kenji created Lost Freedom: A Memory, interweaving music with Takei’s narration of his WWII-era childhood incarceration. Through this experience, Kenji learned “the potential of using music as a healing force.” Kenji co-directs Portland-based chamber music ensemble Fear No Music with his wife, pianist Monica Ohuchi, with the mission to make classical music more accessible.

In addition to his work as a composer and performer, Kenji teaches at PSU, Reed College, and for Portland Youth Philharmonic.

Listen to Kenji’s conversation on air with Christa Wessel (9/12/24):

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Todd Lawrence

Todd Lawrence has been working in non-profit organizations for over 25 years, including as Volunteer Program Administrator for Housecall Providers, an institution providing primary care medical services and hospice to our community’s homebound and chronically ill members. Todd also serves as a board member of the Portland-area Swan Songs, an organization providing private live music concerts for individuals with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life. In addition to his hospice career, Todd has spent his life in music as a songwriter and recording artist under the pseudonym Milo Binder.

Listen to Todd’s conversation on air with Christa Wessel (9/13/24):  

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Maggie Johnson

Maggie Johnson is an Oregon Licensed and Board Certified Music Therapist and currently serves as Program Director for Earthtones Northwest. She is also the lead music therapist for the Oregon Symphony’s Music Now program, bringing symphony musicians to dementia care communities for fun and interactive performances. Maggie’s clinical focus is on relational-based music therapy for groups and individuals experiencing isolation or marginalization due to health and/ or societal barriers. Through her work, Maggie promotes the power of music to help people experience the full range of human emotions and connect with a sense of peace, wonder, and excitement.

In addition to her work with Earthtones and the OSO, Maggie facilitates drop-in music therapy classes for babies, toddlers, and young children and their families called Birdie Beats.

Listen to Maggie’s conversation on air with Brandi Parisi (9/13/24):

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María García

Puerto Rican native María García is a distinguished pianist, teacher, and coach, as well as All Classical Radio’s 2022-2023 Artist in Residence. In addition to her work as a sought-after collaborator and music teacher, María performs with regional ensembles such as the Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Third Angle Ensemble, and 45^th Parallel Universe, and was a founding member of the Award-winning 20 Digitus Piano Duo. As an educator, she not only instills a love of music in her students but facilitates emotional intelligence and human compassion: “Teaching music is about personal connection and opening a key to another world for students. I hope to pass on how to connect to your emotions, to your culture, and learn about the world and its beauty.”

Listen to María’s conversation on air with Brandi Parisi (9/16/24):

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Nancy Ives

Nancy Ives is an exceptionally accomplished composer and cellist, known locally and beyond as an Oregonian legend. She has served as Principal Cellist of the Oregon Symphony for over 20 years. As a composer (and relative of Charles Ives), Nancy creates music deeply inspired by the natural world while also being accessible and relatable without sacrificing depth and complexity. Her collaborative multimedia work Celilo Falls: We Were There evokes the oldest continuously inhabited native community in North America that was ultimately flooded by The Dalles Dam construction in 1957.

In addition to her work as a performer and composer, Nancy is an Instructor of Chamber Music at Lewis & Clark College. She co-founded Classical Up Close, providing greater community access to music by bringing intimate performances to the places where people live, work, and play.

Listen to Nancy’s conversation on air with Christa Wessel (9/16/24):

A lot can happen in five years – and built on the foundation of our listeners and community members, All Classical Radio has seen groundbreaking growth and achievements since 2019. From launching the International Children’s Arts Network, to creating the award-winning Recording Inclusivity Initiative, and celebrating the station’s 40th anniversary, there are many highlights to reflect on as we move into our fifth decade of community-minded, community-funded radio. We’re proud and grateful to share this most recent impact report with you, celebrating some of the highest high notes of the past five years of orchestrating happiness over the airwaves.

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All Classical Radio 2024 Impact Report: Five Years of Orchestrating Happiness

Print at home: All Classical Radio 2024 Impact Report
(For best results, please print double sided.)

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This report is more than just a symphony of statistics, it’s a full score of all that we have accomplished together – made possible by your support. Thank you for keeping the music playing.

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Congrats again, Rebecca! Learn more and see Current’s full list of 2024 Rising Stars at current.org.

Learn more about All Classical’s Artist Anthology, which Rebecca has been spearheading, at anthology.allclassical.org.

Read blog posts by Rebecca on All Classical’s Arts Blog.

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ABOUT

Music has been a fundamental part of Rebecca Richardson’s life since her earliest memories. From a childhood spent in choirs, piano lessons, and musical theater productions to earning an Master of Music degree in voice performance, she has been guided by the call of classical music. A SoCal native currently settled in SE Portland, she spent nearly a decade writing and performing on the East Coast. She got her first taste of music research while working as a Music History T.A. in grad school, and ever since, has been obsessed with humanizing the names behind the music we all love so much.

When she’s not stooped over her desk, gleefully going down rabbit holes, you can find her on long, scenic walks with her husband and daughter, savoring a glass of Pacific Northwest wine, or immersed in a sturdy historical biography.

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Current is a nonprofit news organization covering public media in the U.S for professionals in the industry. Leaders and staff at NPR, PBS, CPB, public radio and TV stations, independent producers, board members, and national policymakers rely on Current for information, inspiration and insights into this mission-driven field.

Current was founded in 1980 by the National Association of Educational Broadcasters, the historic forerunner of both PBS and NPR. For several decades, Current was managed financially by WNET, a leading national producer and PBS station that serves the New York City region.

Learn more at current.org.

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