Studio Class - Episodes Tagged with “Interview”

Episode 113: Masterclass - Samuel Martin

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 11:00:00 -0600

Step into the world of classical music and #TeamArtSong with pianist Samuel Martin in this Masterclass episode. From international stages to innovative projects like "Before She Became Fire," Martin's debut album with mezzo Kathryn Leemhuis, his dynamic performances redefine the genre. As the Founding Artistic Director behind the Cincinnati Song Initiative, he's hailed as "Cincinnati's champion for art song."

A New York native and alumnus of top institutions, Martin now teaches at The Hartt School, University of Hartford, shaping future musicians. Join us as Sam shares insights on artistic collaboration, musical innovation, and his relentless pursuit of excellence.

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Be on the Studio Class Podcast
Megan Ihnen is a professional mezzo-soprano, teacher, writer, and arts entrepreneur who is passionate about helping other musicians and creative professionals live their best lives. Studio Class is an outgrowth of her popular #29DaystoDiva series from The Sybaritic Singer. Let your emerging professionals be part of the podcast! Invite Megan to your studio class for a taping of an episode. Your students ask questions and informative, fun conversation ensues.

Special Guest: Samuel Martin.

Episode 103: Masterclass - Ann McMahon Quintero

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:00:00 -0500

Praised for her evocative interpretations of oratorio and opera, Ann McMahon Quintero has filled the 2022/23 season with new works and old favorites. She joins Boston Baroque and Alabama Symphony for Messiah, Charleston Symphony for Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky Cantata, and performs in the world premiere of Ghosts with San Diego Opera in the role of Yadira.

Ms. Quintero was thrilled to join Santa Fe Opera in 2022 in one of her signature roles, Mistress Quickly in Falstaff. Also in the 2021/22 season, she portrayed the titular role in Lizbeth with Opera Orlando and Madame Flora in The Medium with Chelsea Opera, with whom she enjoyed a successful run as the inimitable Julia Child in Lee Hoiby’s_ Bon Appétit!_ in June, 2021.

Her previous work has included many enjoyable turns with Boston Baroque singing their annual Messiah as well as performances of Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9., M. Haydn’s Requiem in c minor, Cornelia in Giulio Cesare, Juditha in Juditha Triumphans, and Storgé in Jephtha.

Ms. Quintero also enjoys a rewarding relationship with the Defiant Requiem Foundation, performing their special presentation of the Verdi Requiem in Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín. She has performed the piece with Mo. Murry Sidlin over a dozen times throughout the U.S., sharing the story of Rafael Schächter and the brave artists of Terezín. In addition, she has also performed the piece Hours of Freedom: The Story of the Terezín Composer, a program of music composed at Terezín.

What she did over the pandemic:

Like everyone, the pandemic left Ann with a wealth of time, so she followed the crowd and turned to baking sourdough and learning to play the ukulele. She also earned her certification as a yoga instructor and did a deep dive into learning more about social justice. Ann also fostered a wonderful pit bull named Ella and will provide more photos than you need upon request.

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Special Guest: Ann McMahon Quintero.

Episode 101: Masterclass - Kerriann Otaño

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 09:45:00 -0500

Kerriann Otaño is the Vice President of Engagement at America’s 11th oldest opera company, OperaDelaware. Originally from Long Island, New York, Kerriann studied at the Verdi Conservatorio in Milan, Italy, before receiving her Bachelors degree from Indiana University and her Masters from Mannes the New School for Music. Kerriann sang opera professionally for 10 years, performing at Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opera San Jose, and Wolf Trap Opera. She is featured on Naxos album Bernstein: Songfest with Wolf Trap Opera. Kerriann began her transition into administration in 2019 after a mental health crisis, and she prides herself on her advocacy for artists and audiences across the country.

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Special Guest: Kerriann Otaño.

Episode 100: Masterclass - Chelsea Hollow

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0500

Chelsea Hollow “has rewritten the book on the potential of musical activism," curating & commissioning solo recitals based on activist texts as well as exploring ways to make traditional opera exciting to new audiences. In recognition of this work, she presented on Art and Activism (2021) for the United Nations’ Office of Human Rights. This past April, Chelsea released her debut album Cycles of Resistance with Aerocade Music, featuring 22 of her commissions chronicling examples of human resilience in Mandarin, Dutch, Turkish, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Czech in addition to English. She is known for her “soaring high range” and “stage panache!” premiering new operatic works and singing traditional roles such as Queen of the Night, Zerbinetta, and Olympia.

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Special Guest: Chelsea Hollow.

Episode 94: Masterclass - Carrie Hennessey

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0600

Carrie Hennessey is a wayfinder through the deep, spiritual and technical discoveries of the voice.

Early success in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions led to high expectations, but singing after trauma in her early 20s dismantled the ease in her voice and presence. A top artistic mentor once reviewed, ‘This is not the same singer I heard 2 years ago. Go back home’, and a famous singer/coach exclaimed, ‘If you’d just sing like Renata Tebaldi…’ Hennessey left, losing her identity and voice.

Ms. Hennessey has since found her true voice and created a wildly unique and energized career path in theater, opera, symphony work, recital, and education, wearing with pride the hats of trauma-informed teacher and facilitator, producer, singer, actor, innovator and writer.

She is known for her soaring voice and richly nuanced characters onstage, and has sung all over the world. Notable highlights include debuting as Kát’á in Kát’á Kabanová at the Cal Shakes Amphitheater, As Blanche Du Bois in Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire. Carrie captivated audiences in an immersive production of The Stronger and as Elle in La Voix Humaine in NYC. Her bold and nuanced interpretation of Strauss’ Vier Letzte Lieder resonated among the redwood trees with Music in the Mountains Orchestra. She then channeled the physical comedy of Carol Burnett and fearless vocalism and sense of humor of Beverly Sills in the world premiere ballet by Darrell Grand Moultrie “On the Rocks, Please!”

Carrie lights a fire in those around her - teaching music education through lectures, workshops, Master Classes, and 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.

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Special Guest: Carrie Hennessey.

Episode 92: Masterclass - Kala Maxym

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0600

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.

My gratitude goes out to Hannah Boissonneault who edits our Masterclass episodes and to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

You can help support the creation of these episodes when you join the Sybaritic Camerata on Patreon. Get started at patreon.com/mezzoihnen.

Special Guest: Kala Maxym.

Episode 43: Masterclass - Dale Trumbore

Megan Ihnen | The Sybaritic Singer — Mon, 10 May 2021 15:30:00 -0500

Dale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer and writer whose music has been praised by The New York Times for its "soaring melodies and beguiling harmonies." Trumbore's compositions have been performed widely in the U.S. and internationally by ensembles including The Aeolians of Oakwood University, American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Modesto Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, and Tonality.

Trumbore has served as Composer in Residence for Choral Chameleon as well as Artist in Residence at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Copland House, and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico.

How to Go On, Choral Arts Initiative's album of Trumbore's choral works, debuted at #6 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Chart. Choral Arts Northwest, The Esoterics, Helix Collective, New York Virtuoso Singers, and soprano Gillian Hollis have also commercially recorded works by Trumbore. Her choral works are available through Boosey & Hawkes, G. Schirmer, and Graphite Marketplace.

A big thank you to Juanitos and Scott Holmes for the music featured in this episode.

Special Guest: Dale Trumbore.