Community Musician: the NCMC podcast

Interview with Fiddle Teacher Lily Sexton

In this interview, fiddle teacher Lily Sexton talks about the fiddle ensemble she leads at NCMC, how she gets students to learn by ear, different styles of fiddling, and a bit about her bluegrass band Mamma's Marmalade.

Paul Arslanian and the Northampton Jazz Workshop

In this interview, jazz pianist and leader of Northampton's Green Street Trio talks about his weekly jazz concert and jam session which has become a beloved institution among local music lovers.  He discusses jazz and artists he's worked with over his long career in music.

Interview with Carolyn Mazel, Music Together teacher

In this session, Carolyn Mazel talks about NCMC's Music Together Program and how it helps very young children and their parents learn the language of music through exposure to music and participation in musical activities.

Interview with teacher Kate O‘Connor

In this interview, long-time keyboard and vocal teacher Kate O'Connor talks about her approach to teaching students who are on the autism spectrum, and the similarities and differences between different kinds of students.

Interview with Band Leader Nancy Janoson

In this episode, we talk with Nancy Janoson, who leads NCMC's Pioneer Valley New Horizons band.  The group is made up of older musicians, most of whom are coming back to music after many years away.  She describes the nature of and the importance of the program, and also talks a bit about her long career as a musician.

Interview with Anne Werry about Chamber Music

In this interview, long-time NCMC cello teacher Anne Werry talks about chamber music, its importance in learning musicianship and enjoying playing music, and her role in managing NCMC's chamber program over the last five years.  And you'll hear her lovely rendition of the beginning of Bach's most famous cello suite.

Interview with Evelyn Harris

In this interview, NCMC Ku'umba Women's Choir founder Evelyn Harris talks about her career as a singer, leading the choir, her work with "Sweet Honey in the Rock", and how she picks the songs she sings.  As a special treat, you'll get to her sing on the intro and at the end of the interview.

Interview with Iron Horse founder Jordi Herold

In this interview Joe Blumenthal talks with Jordi Herold, who founded Northampton's iconic Iron Horse Music Hall in 1979 about the early days of the club, and how it happened to evolve from a personal dream about a perfect place to hang out in a center of cultural life to the center of Northampton's dynamic music scene.

Interview with violin expert Matt Stamell

In this interview Matt Stamell, owner of Stamell Stringed Instruments in Amherst. talks in depth about the violin and unravels some of its mysteries.  You'll learn a lot about what separates good violins from mediocre ones, how they're designed, the nature of their strings, the importance of the bow, some violin history, and what to look for if you're interested in buying one.

Interview with bassist Lynn Lovell

Long-time NCMC bass instructor Lynn Lovell talks about her career in music: how she got started, students good and bad, playing at Carnegie Hall and a Presidential inauguration, and the constant juggling act that is the life of a working musician.