Community Musician: the NCMC podcast

Interview with George Owens about NCMC's Alzheimer's Project

In this episode, George Owens describes an innovative project in which musicians go into nursing homes and play for Alzheimers patients.  He talks about the creation of the program by director Jason Trotta and pianist Beverly Pickering, how it has evolved over time, what the sessions are like, and how it benefits the patients.

Interview with Joe Belmont, leader of NCMC Jazz programs

Joe Belmont has been leading NCMC's jazz ensembles for youth and adults for twenty years.  In this interview he talks with Joe Blumenthal about jazz, improvisation, and the jazz program at the Music Center.

Meg Kelsey-Wright and the Piano Connection

For this session Joe Blumenthal interviews long-time NCMC piano teacher Meg Kelsey-Wright.  The interview features an in-depth discussion of the innovative "Piano Connection" program she founded at the Music Center.

Interview with Bill Feinstein, NCMC founder

In this episode, board member Joe Blumenthal reminisces with founder Bill Feinstein about the earliest days of the Northampton Community Music Center; how it came into being and how it moved from its first instruction in his living room to bringing it to its current home on South St. 

Interview with Emily Greene, Suzuki violin teacher

Violin teacher Emily Greene talks about the Suzuki method of learning music and the advantage, particularly for young children, of thinking of music as another language.  She also talks about Dr. Suzuki's book "Nurtured by Love" and his mission of making the world a better place through music.  In addition, she discusses how she and the Music Center have adapted to the pandemic.

Interview with teacher Adam Bosse

NCMC board member Joe Blumenthal interviews teacher Adam Bosse.  Adam talks about his teaching at NCMC and the surprising upsides of being a musician during the pandemic.