Studio Class

Episode 95: Masterclass - Kathleen Kelly

February 6th, 2023  |  1 hr 17 mins

arts coaching, classical singing, micro actions, music business

Kathleen Kelly’s projects and repertoire are wide-ranging and diverse. From Mozart to commissioned works by her peers, she is both deeply experienced in the classical vocal canon and engaged in new creation. Recent notable projects include a recording with soprano Emily Albrink - which we’ll reference in this episode, leading the world premiere of Matt Bohler’s opera FAT PIG (composed for activist soprano Tracy Cox), and the filmed opera Interstate, composed by Kamala Sankaram, co-authored and performed by Kathleen and soprano Jennifer Cresswell, produced by Minnesota Opera.

Kathleen has appeared internationally as a pianist in collaboration with singers including appearances at incredible and top tier venues around the world. She has worked with many companies including the San Francisco, Metropolitan, Houston Grand, and Vienna State Operas, and she is regularly invited to speak and write on womens’ issues in the opera industry.

Episode 94: Masterclass - Carrie Hennessey

January 16th, 2023  |  1 hr 12 mins

arts coaching, classical singing, interview, micro actions, music business

Carrie Hennessey is a wayfinder through the deep, spiritual and technical discoveries of the voice. She truly lights a fire in those around her - teaching music education through lectures, workshops, Master Classes, and she is joyfully dedicated to guiding all around her to find their true authentic voice in the world. Currently, Carrie is developing her one woman show about her life in singing, quitting for 12 years post trauma and creating from nothing a versatile and vibrant career steeped in authenticity. I am so excited to share this Masterclass episode with Carrie Hennessey with you!

Episode 92: Masterclass - Kala Maxym

December 6th, 2022  |  54 mins 13 secs

arts coaching, classical singing, interview, micro actions, music business

Kala is the Founder of Five Senses Tastings, a Certified Women-Owned Business. Her philosophy of Sensory Wellness encourages guests to harness the energy, power, and play of their five senses using music, wine, and food, and sweet treats.

Inspired by her childhood abroad, Kala believes that diversifying our own sensory ecosystems leads us to find beauty and inspiration not just in ourselves but in the world around us. She is a professional opera singer who has performed worldwide (including for three presidents), and now intentionally uses her voice to advocate for voting rights. She is a former federal government employee, bone marrow donor, a polyglot who speaks German, French, and Spanish, and is certified through the Wine & Spirits Education Trust.

Kala lives in Los Angeles with her partner and two orange Bronx street cats, Ollie and Caspar.

Episode 91: Micro Action Monday - Deal with negative feedback

November 28th, 2022  |  15 mins 46 secs

arts coaching, classical singing, micro actions, music business

No one likes to receive negative feedback - it's true. But, how you respond to criticism will influence what kind and speed of progress you can make in your professionally creative career. In this Micro Action Monday, Megan discusses how to take in, respond to negative feedback, and turn it into a positive situation.

Episode 90: Masterclass - Hilary Ginther

November 21st, 2022  |  1 hr 9 mins

arts coaching, classical singing, micro actions, music business

Mezzo-Soprano Hilary Ginther has been profiled by Opera Now magazine as one of ten young American singers intent on taking the opera world by storm. Take a listen to her Masterclass episode on Studio Class to find out more about this artist well on her way to stardom.

Episode 89: Micro Action Monday - Make your auditions shine

November 14th, 2022  |  17 mins 46 secs

arts coaching, auditions, classical singing, micro actions, music business

"Having an audition that really shines is not about, 'Oh, I wore this dress that they really liked.' It's about, 'I made a moment for them in that room. They felt so inspired by my work that they knew I would be the right fit for an entire production or I would be the right fit for their company.'" In this Micro Action Monday episode, Megan discusses a few tips to make your auditions really stand out.

Episode 88: Micro Action Monday - Create a practice schedule

November 7th, 2022  |  20 mins 31 secs

arts coaching, classical singing, micro actions, music business

"Go ahead and actually prepare with efficiency and effectiveness so that you can make the most out of your work and feel like you're bringing your best musical self to the situation." In this Micro Action Monday episode, Megan breaks down the process of creating an efficient practice schedule in 7 steps.

Episode 87: Masterclass - Megan Ihnen on Being a Whole Person with Rebecca Hass (Crossover Episode)

October 31st, 2022  |  59 mins 48 secs

arts coaching, classical singing, crossover episode, micro actions, music business

Megan does a crossover episode with Rebecca Hass of "Being a Whole Person" podcast!

Here's what Rebecca wrote about our chat... "I had a delightful conversation with Megan Ihnen, a mezzo-soprano and “new music force of nature” who wears many hats as a performer, educator, coach/consultant for musicians, and also in arts admin. With these many roles, she is an amazing connector and natural community builder.

Tune in to hear us chat about creative placemaking, authentic community building, balancing many roles and having lots of work variety, burnout, being a musician during the pandemic, routines, harmful ideas around “hard work”, and how we can bring our very favorite selves to our creative work."

Episode 86: Masterclass - Kelly Corcoran

October 24th, 2022  |  46 mins 53 secs

arts coaching, classical singing, micro actions, music business

Named “Best Classical Conductor” by the Nashville Scene, Kelly Corcoran is Artistic Director & Conductor of Intersection, a contemporary music ensemble now in its 9th season in Nashville. Corcoran founded the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted the Nashville Symphony in hundreds of performances for nine seasons as Associate Conductor and Director of the Symphony Chorus.

Join us in this Masterclass episode featuring Kelly Corcoran!

Episode 85: Micro Action Monday - Work with a new collaborator

October 17th, 2022  |  14 mins 43 secs

arts coaching, classical singing, micro actions, music business

Ask yourself, "Am I bringing my best self to each collaboration?" In any collaboration when you start working with somebody new, I want you to think, "Wow, it's really an honor to get to work with this person. How can we both achieve our goals together through this piece, through this music, and then also honor the composer's intentions, the composer's creativity, and our shared musical imagination?"

Megan shares her thoughts on working with new collaborators in this Micro Action Monday episode on Studio Class.