This month, Ashley interviewed our three amazing 2023 Young Artist Competition gold medalists, who will be performing their winning selections with the orchestra at our January 2024 concert. Xinran Shi, Esme Arias-Kim and Diego Chapela-Perez competed last October and won gold after being selected out of dozens of hopefuls from all across the nation for the pool of nine finalists. This weekend, Maestro Brotons will conduct their pieces along with the moving 3rd Symphony by Carl Nielsen on January 20th and 21st. Tickets are on sale at vancouversymphony.org ..read more

In this episode Ashley spoke with GRAMMY nominee and violin virtuoso Philippe Quint. They spoke about the Tzigane by Ravel, and the Chaconne from The Red Violin, both of which he will perform in this month’s program, as well as his unique projects celebrating the music of Astor Piazzolla and Charlie Chaplin, and more. You still have time to get tickets to the program Pines of Rome conducted by Maestra Sarah Ioannides on November 4 and 5 by going to vancouversymphony.org ..read more

In this episode Ashley spoke with award-winning concert pianist and professor of music at the Cleveland Institute of Music Antonio Pompa-Baldi. They spoke about the enduring power of Rachmaninoff, the upcoming program, his lifelong dedication to supporting and encouraging the musicians of tomorrow, and more. You still have time to get tickets to this brilliant program on September 23 and 24 by going to vancouversymphony.org ..read more

In this episode Ashley spoke again with Maestro Gerard Schwarz, conductor of the All-Star Orchestra and former conductor of the Seattle Symphony, about his involvement with the upcoming Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival, the value of classical education for all, and more. Maestro Schwarz will conduct the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA On August 5th and 6th at the Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival in Esther Short Park. vancouversymphony.org ..read more

This month we’ve changed things up in order to tell you about the upcoming inaugural Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival on August 4-6th, presented by The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the City of Vancouver. Ashley spoke with Vancouver Symphony CEO Igor Shakhman and City of Vancouver Cultural Services Manager Stacey Donovan to give you the inside story on this unique celebration of the arts and culture of Vancouver, WA. To learn more about what’s being offered, keep an eye on vancouverartsandmusicfestival.com ..read more

In this episode Ashley speaks with Maestro Gerard Schwarz, conductor of the All-Star Orchestra and former conductor of the Seattle Symphony, about his incredible career working with the most prestigious conductors in America, his work with the All-Star Orchestra, and the importance of American classical music. Maestro Schwarz will conduct the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA, featuring cellist Julian Schwarz, on April 22nd and 23rd, 2023. vancouversymphony.org ..read more

In this episode, Ashley speaks with Michelle Cann, acclaimed piano virtuoso and our guest for the 2022/23 Season Premiere concert. Topics range from finding motivation as an artist, working with young musicians, the legacy of Florence Price, and more. Michelle Cann will perform with VSO USA on September 24th and 25th 2022 under the baton of Maestro Salvador Brotons. vancouversymphony.org ..read more

In this episode Ashley speaks with Rachel Barton Pine, world-renowned and award-winning concert violinist. Topics range from making classical music more accessible, to parenting on the road as a working musician. Rachel Barton Pine will perform with VSO USA on May 21st and 22nd 2022 under the baton of Maestro Salvador Brotons. vancouversymphony.org ..read more

In a departure from the usual, very special guest Greg Scholl joined Ashley on the podcast this time. Co-host of the VSO web series Da Capo and long-time speaker at VSO pre-concert talks, as well as VSO principal trombonist, Greg has been a staple at VSO concerts for many years. As resident musicologist, Greg shares his thoughts on what value there is in gaining context for orchestra programs, as well as talking about his own background as a musician. Greg and Ashley also tread into the subject of the decision to change, or not change, a concert's programming when it happens to intersect with ..read more

This weekend the VSO is pleased to welcome back classical guitar virtuoso Adam Levin, who performed with them last February to great acclaim. Ashley was delighted to invite him back on the podcast where they spoke about parenthood as a working artist, the value of music education, and much more. vancouversymphony.org ..read more