Joseph Bohigian is a composer and performer whose cross-cultural experience as an Armenian-American is a defining message in his music. His work explores the expression of exile, cultural reunification, and identity maintenance in diaspora. His music, described as “delightfully accessible and inventive” (SoundWordSight), has been heard around the world at the Oregon Bach Festival, June in Buffalo, Walt Disney Concert Hall, New Music on the Point Festival, TENOR Conference (Melbourne), and Aram Khachaturian Museum Hall. His recent piece Khazeri Yerazhshtutyun focuses on the gesturality of the ancient Armenian musical script called khaz and was written for the Festival Mixtur Composition and Sound Experimentation Workshop in Barcelona. He has also worked with performers including Mivos Quartet, Decibel New Music, Great Noise Ensemble, Argus Quartet, Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy, and members of Yarn/Wire. Currently, Bohigian is composing a work on the resettlement of Syrian-Armenians in the Republic of Armenia in collaboration with the Rerooted Archive. In addition to composing, Bohigian performs as a percussionist, pianist, and laptop musician. He has premiered many new works and curated concerts of contemporary music for the Composer’s Voice Concert Series in New York, for which he was called a “triple-threat” by Time Out New York for his role as curator, composer, and performer. He founded the Fresno State New Music Ensemble and is a member of Ensemble Decipher, a group dedicated to the performance of live electronic music, with whom he has recently performed at the International Computer Music Conference, New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, Society of Electro-Acoustic Music Conference, and Network Music Festival. Having grown up in the large Armenian community of Fresno, California, the themes of displacement, dispersion, and reclamation in Armenian culture are important influences on his work. In 2012, he traveled to Yerevan, Armenia where he wrote his piece Dzirani Dzar, based on the folk song of the same name, while studying with composer Artur Avanesov. In 2015, he wrote In the Shadow of Ararat, a work commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ararat was premiered alongside other works by living Armenian composers and featured on NPR’s Here and Now and The California Report. He recently spent nine months in Armenia, where he composed The Water Has Found its Crack based on his archival research at the Komitas Museum-Institute and taught a laptop orchestra workshop at the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan. Bohigian is a graduate of Stony Brook University, where he held a Graduate Council Fellowship, and California State University Fresno. He has studied with Nirmali Fenn, Matthew Barnson, Margaret Schedel, Perry Goldstein, Dan Weymouth, Kenneth Froelich, and Benjamin Boone.

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Ep. 144: Joseph Bohigian, composer and performer

Ep. 143: Eugenia Forteza, opera singer and founder of 360 of Opera. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Eugenia Forteza joins the podcast for a second time during the pandemic (recorded on Dec. 21, 2020). In this podcast we talk about Eugenia's busy schedule during the pandemic, what various arts organizations have done during this time, getting married and much more. Eugenia is the founder of 360 of Opera which has a tremendous following in the opera world and beyond. Eugenia currently resides in NYC, where she freelances as a vocalist, actor and model. She is the Founder and Lead Editor of 360° of Opera and serves as a Board Member ​of Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra & Frisson Films.

Ep. 143: Eugenia Forteza, "We don't just make pretty music, it has a message."

Ep. 142: Joe Kinzer, ethnographer, archivist, and ethnomusicologist Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. From Joe Kinzer's website: I am an ethnographer, archivist, and ethnomusicologist specializing in issues of identity and religious expression in Asian musical contexts. I am the Senior Curatorial Assistant in the Archive of World Music at Harvard’s Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, as well as an Affiliate Faculty member at Antioch University. My work focuses on musicians, audiences, and asking ethnographic questions about objects, such as musical instruments and sound recordings, and how the contrapuntality of agency between these forces works to inform cultural formation. In my book project, Arab Lutes and Global Routes in the Music of Muslim Malaysia (Routledge, forthcoming), I use the circuitous migration of Arab lutes to Southeast Asia as a lens to explore how centuries of conflicting Hindu-Buddhist and Islamic influences from India and the Middle East have transformed and continue to complicate Malay cultural politics in 21st century musical practices. I teach courses in humanities research methods using the lenses of global pop, world music, and sound studies. I have had the privelege of teaching courses at Northern Illinois University, University of Washington, and Antioch University. Some of these courses included Introduction to Music and Culture Studies, American Popular Song, and Humanities Research Methods through Music and Sound. I received a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in music from Northern Illinois University. My work has received generous support from a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship, the U.S. Department of Education’s Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) program, and the Social Sciences Research Council of Canada. I play the oud and guitar and currently perform with Boston College’s Astaza! Arab Music Ensemble. I live in Boston with my wife and daughter.  © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 142: Joe Kinzer, ethnographer, archivist, and ethnomusicologist

Ep. 141: David Korevaar, "You can access the world, it's not easy to reach the world..." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Korevaar talks about his studies with Earl Wild and David Diamond, recordings, teachings and much more. Hailed for his “wonderfully warm, pliant, spontaneous playing” by the Washington Post, award winning pianist David Korevaar is in demand as a soloist, chamber musician and collaborator. Korevaar has performed and given master classes throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America. Recent highlights include recitals and master classes in Taipei, and a tour of Brazil, with recitals and master classes in São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, João Pessoa, Recife and Natal. He has also concertized and given master classes in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan as part of the U.S. State Department’s Cultural Envoy program and taught at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) in Kabul. Korevaar’s active career includes solo performances with the Rochester Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Japan’s Shonan Chamber Orchestra, Brazil’s Goiania Symphony, and with acclaimed conductors Guillermo Figueroa, Per Brevig, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski and Jorge Mester. His performance of John Cage’s Concerto for Prepared Piano and Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Paul Zukofsky was praised by the New York Times “as admirably projected in the devoted and lovely performance of David Korevaar.” David was honored to work with Cage to prepare the concerto. © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020   

Ep. 141: David Korevaar, "You can access the world, it's not easy to reach the world..."

Ep. 140: Leslie Mandoki, "Music is the greatest unifier.." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode rockstar Leslie Mandoki talks about his early years in Hungary, being a refugee in Germany and eventual rise to stardom. In 1991, Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, and Al Di Meola became founding members of Leslie Mandoki’s band project ManDoki Soulmates, and for almost three decades, Leslie Mandoki has continued to unite a “who is who” of the icons of Anglo-American and European rock and jazz- rock in the Mandoki Soulmates band. The remarkable lineups in the band’s recordings and performances over the years has included singers and players including Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, David Clayton-Thomas, Chaka Khan, Chris Thompson, Bobby Kimball and Steve Lukather, Nick van Eede, Eric Burdon, Nik Kershaw, Greg Lake, Al di Meola, Randy and Michael Brecker, Cory Henry, Bill Evans, John Helliwell, Till Brönner, Klaus Doldinger, Mike Stern, Richard Bona, Anthony Jackson, Victor Bailey, Pino Palladino, Tony Carey, Mark Hart, Paul Carrack, Peter Frampton, and Jon Lord. The Soulmates concerts are marked by the musical synergy of all these musical icons united in one supergroup of Grammy award winning legends, where everyone’s egos come second. Original Soulmates compositions and collective improvisations on highest levels are just as much part of the concerts as world-renowned hits of the individual Soulmates members. “One stage – one band!” With his Soulmates Leslie Mandoki raises Jazz-Rock back to socio-political relevance, to quote him in his own words: “Even in times of Twitter, social media and short news on the smartphone, when mental laziness often blocks the perception, music for us is still like a love letter to our audience – handwritten with ink on paper.” This band is pure sophisticated JazzRock, or as Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) put it: “One of the best bands you will ever hear!”

Ep. 140: Leslie Mandoki, "Music is the greatest unifier.."

Ep. 139: Rose Gear, executive director and bassist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Rose speaks about her passion for hiking, capoeira, professional career as a bassist, move to PNW to work with the Seattle Symphony and Ludovic Morlot, finding a new bass, working as a Executive Director and more. Rose Gear, an experienced music and arts administrator, business professional and musician, has been appointed full-time executive director of the Cascade Symphony Orchestra by the organization’s board of directors. Gear, who has served as executive assistant to the Seattle Symphony’s music director, Ludovic Morlot, during the past four years, will be the CSO’s administrative leader, working with board members to establish and achieve the mission and values of the orchestra. She will manage business affairs and advocacy in addition to directing community relations and fundraising for the 57-year old nonprofit music organization. She will also work with Cascade Symphony Music Director Michael Miropolsky. The current Seattle area resident “graduated with distinction,” earning a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Wisconsin. She also received an MBA – with a specialty in arts administration – from the same institution. Her background with the Seattle Symphony includes experience in marketing; patron, board member, volunteer and donor relations; and concert venue management. Prior to relocating to Western Washington, she served for a year in marketing for the Madison (Wisconsin) Symphony. © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 139: Rose Gear, executive director and bassist.

In this episode Jovino speaks about his long relationship with Hermeto Pascoal, background in biology, teaching, composing and performing. We also talk about Pascoal's boxing encounter with Miles Davis and much more. Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is among the top Brazilian musicians working today. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal. He was an integral part of Pascoal's group from 1977 to1992, where he fine-tuned his artistry, performing around the world and co-producing several legendary records. Jovino’s personal style is a creative blend of energetic grooves, deep harmonies, telepathic improvisation, lyrical melodies and great ensemble playing, always inspired and informed by the colorful richness of Brazilian music. His compositions include samba, choro, baião, xote, forró, marcha and many more styles, rooted in centuries-old musical tradition while pointing to new and adventurous harmonic languages.

Ep. 138: Jovino Santos Neto - pianist, composer, arranger, educator.

Ep. 137: Joseph Young, conductor. "Don't wait for people to open doors for you." Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this episode Joseph talks about his early career as a high school band conductor, studying with Marin Alsop at the the Cabrillo Festival, attending the Peabody Conservatory and working as an assistant at the Baltimore Symphony. He also speaks about New Music USA, Amplifying Voices, conducting competitions, running, yoga, working with Robert Spano, stepping in to conduct at last minute, life changing moments (one of which is becoming an uncle) and much more. Praised for his suavely adventurous programing, Joseph Young is increasingly recognized as “one of the most gifted conductors of his generation.” Joseph is Music Director of the Berkeley Symphony, Artistic Director of Ensembles for the Peabody Conservatory, and Resident Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra–USA at Carnegie Hall. In recent years, he has made appearances with the Saint Louis Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Bamberger Symphoniker, New World Symphony Orchestra, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música, and the Orquesta Sinfonica y Coro de RTVE (Madrid); among others in the U.S. and Europe. © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020 

Ep. 137: Joseph Young, conductor. "Don't wait for people to open doors for you."

Ep. 136: Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Vanessa Reed is excited to be joining New Music USA as President and CEO following just over a decade with PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading funder of new music and talent development. During her time at this specialist new music agency, Vanessa significantly increased support available to diverse music creators at critical stages in their careers and repositioned the Foundation as international advocate and go-to partner for major new music collaborations. Her leadership of strategy and outreach resulted in the launch of an array of transformational funding programmes including the Momentum Music Fund, Women Make Music, Musicians in Residence China and the New Music Biennial which help music creators of all backgrounds to realise their potential. More recently, she also founded, with European and Canadian partners, the award-winning international Keychange initiative which invests in female talent and raises awareness of the gender gap in music.

Ep. 136: Vanessa Reed, President and CEO of New Music USA

Ep. 135: Teni Odabashian, non-musical guest. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. This is the first time in over 130 that I am featuring a guest who is not a musician. Teni has been one of the early supporters of the podcast and it was a pleasure to speak with her on the show. In this episode Teni talks about being a working mom, traveling, treasured possessions, Paul McCartney, Charles Aznavour, listening to music with her father, Armenian heritage, growing up in LA and much more. © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 135: Teni Odabashian, non-musical guest

Ep. 134: THE RECAP with George Jackson, principal guest contributor. This the second episode of the RECAP series with conductor George Jackson. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. In this podcast we talk about the state of orchestras during the pandemic, positives and negatives of state sponsored orchestra, blind auditions, repertoire for chamber orchestra and more. We also talk about past composers we would have enjoyed corresponding with. For more information about George Jackson please visit: http://www.georgejackson.net/   © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 134: THE RECAP with George Jackson, principal guest contributor

Ep. 133: Abo Gumroyan, Grammy winning bassist. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Grammy Award-winning electric and double bassist Abe Gumroyan crosses musical borders on a daily basis. His diverse musical background has allowed him to perform a wide range of genres ranging from salsa and Latin jazz to traditional Armenian and ethnic fusion to classical. The son of Armenian immigrants, Abe was born in Los Angeles, CA and began double bass studies at the age of 9. A frequent guest with the San Francisco and San Diego Symphony Orchestras, Abe has had the unique opportunity to work with the world's leading conductors such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Ricardo Muti, John Adams, and Charles Dutoit. Aside from his work in the classical music industry, Abe is also an in-demand recording musician, most noted for his work in Latin and pop music. Abe recorded on the Grammy-winning freshman album from the San Francisco-based Latin big band Pacific Mambo Orchestra, garnering his first Grammy win at age 27. Abe's live credits include performances with Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Ricky Martin, Carrie Underwood, and many others. Whether as a sideman, soloist, or producer, Abe is known for his deep groove, creative and melodic solos, and mastery of different tones and techniques for any musical situation. Abe graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Scott Pingel (Principal Bassist of the San Francisco Symphony), and attended the USC Thornton School of Music, studying with David Allen Moore (Bassist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic). © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 133: Abo Gumroyan, Grammy winning bassist

Colorado-based conductor Jeremy D. Cuebas is quickly establishing himself as a symphonic, operatic, and contemporary musician in the Denver area. He acts as assistant conductor with the Fort Collins Symphony, will soon be starting as the first assistant conductor with the Aurora Symphony, and is regularly invited to lead ensembles as diverse as, Opera Fort Collins, the It Could Be Anything new music ensemble, and the Boulder Concert Band. Jeremy is the founder and co-host of Podium Time, a podcast of interviews and discussions with emerging and established conductors. In August 2019, Jeremy was invited to join the faculty of the International Conducting Workshop and Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria to assist with the program and produce videos and podcasts for promotion. The Podium Time Podcast reaches thousands of conductors and students each year, and its catalog of over 80 interviews includes conductors such as JoAnn Falletta, Teddy Abrams, Brett Mitchell, Kevin Noe, Christopher Rountree, Tito Muñoz, and Roderick Cox.

Ep. 132: Jeremy D. Cuebas, conductor and podcaster

Ep. 131: Harp and Plow, Americana duo. Let's Talk Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan. Harp & Plow is a husband-and-wife Americana duo that combines a classically trained harpist and a blues-based guitarist, singer/songwriter. These talents create a unique, musical experience that explores American roots music with a modern approach. DEBUT SINGLE “Pastures of Plenty” is now available on all digital platforms! https://song.link/x47C3PthKFv84 For more information about Harp and Plow please visit: https://www.harpandplow.com/   © Let's Talk Off The Podium, 2020

Ep. 131: Harp and Plow, Americana duo

Evan Meccarello was recently appointed Music Director of the Binghamton Community Orchestra. Meccarello is committed to new explorations in classical music and engaging with communities across the Northeast. Meccarello is committed to new explorations in classical music and engaging with communities across the Northeast. Meccarello’s conducting experience spans professional, collegiate, youth, and civic ensembles. Based in Rochester, he is Founder and Director of the Hochstein Alumni Orchestra, a community of musicians that rally around the cause of affordable music lessons. Over ten years, he has commissioned five alumni of Hochstein to write orchestral works for the ensemble. Meccarello currently conducts the Thames Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra in New London, CT and the Irondequoit Community Orchestra.   Summer 2019 included performances with professional orchestras in Bulgaria, while the 2019-20 season has featured work with civic and university orchestras from Buffalo to Saranac Lake to Providence, RI. Meccarello serves as guest conductor and clinician at middle and high schools, including NYSSMA Area All State and All-County festival orchestras. He previously was Conductor of the Nazareth College Chamber Orchestra and continues to support the program as Assistant Conductor of the Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra. Meccarello’s training in conducting has included lessons and masterclasses with worldacclaimed conducting teachers, including Larry Rachleff, Benjamin Zander, David Effron, and Jorma Panula. He holds a masters degree in orchestral conducting from Bowling Green State University and a violin performance degree from Nazareth College, where he was a two-time winner of the school’s concerto competition. Meccarello is Vice President of the Keuka Lake Music Festival and a radio host for Soundspace on WAYO-LP in Rochester. He can sometimes be found in Argentine tango clubs, playing violin for dancers.

Ep. 130: Evan Meccarello, conductor

Host Tigran Arakelyan talks to renowned figures in the world of music about personal stories, success and taboo subjects in the world of music. The mission of this podcast is to create discussion on a variety of topics in music, culture, and arts. In my discussion there will be many questions, answers, comments, critique and ideas.

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