Let’s explore exactly what goes into developing a new Broadway music with producer (and Tony voter) Cristina Maria Vivenzio!  If you haven’t heard, there’s a new book musical hitting the Broadway mainstream mid March and we can’t wait! The preview tracks have been epic! In this episode we talk all things from the classic novel, The Outsiders and how it’s being adapted to what’s destined for an award winning musical!  Cristina Marie Vivenzio (Producer) is currently the Vice President of Production and Development at The Araca Group and a Co-Producer on their Broadway musical, The Ou ..read more

Eric David Ackerman is an aspiring presence in the world of music, theatre, and film. Hailing from New Jersey, he is currently pursuing his BFA in Acting at the Savannah College of Art and Design and today we get to talk to him about creativity, balancing it all, and an epic album/experience he just dropped - “SPIRALING.” Why is this conversation important? Get ready to be inspired! Eric thrives in creative spaces and fosters connections with like-minded individuals who share his love for the arts. With his unwavering commitment to personal growth and a knack for connecting with people, Eric ..read more

Meet conductor and author, John Hughes. In this conversation, we discuss John’s new book, Letters to a Young Conductor: Thoughts on Music and Life, all about how to maintain joy in music-making, career development, and how to keep the big picture in mind. This is really the perfect episode following bonus #23 in December and Dr. Robertson in January! To get your primed for the convo, check out this blurb all about the book, but tune in to learn more!  "Letters to a Young Conductor: Thoughts on Music and Life is now available in print and on Apple Books. I wrote this with a younger versio ..read more

Happy New Year! And what a way to start with this awesome episode!  We’ve started this little mini-series on avoiding burnout thanks to feedback we are hearing as part of ACDA’s Advocacy and Collaboration Standing Committee. The goal of these episodes is to provide our members and listeners with tools to avoid and overcome burnout - one of the leading causes to folks leaving our fabulous career.  In this episode, part one of two, you’ll hear from Director of Choral Studies and Founder of ChorAmor.com, Dr. Troy Robertson. We talk about how to guard your time, explore what we really ..read more

Meet NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) CEO and President of the NAMM Foundation, John Mlynczak. In this conversation, we talk about what is NAMM and how important it is for us to know the work they are doing, especially as music educators. This episode was incredibly inspirational and exciting as NAMM is continuing the awesome work they’ve been doing while also starting some new huge things under Mlynczak’s leadership. The big question - who wants to go to the Trade Show with me? 2025? Let’s do a meet-up! I can’t wait!  Find out more about NAMM: https://www.namm.org/about&nb ..read more

This conversation covers the recently released 2022 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts from the NEA. The decline in arts audiences from 1982 - 2022 as well as an upcoming workshop series designed to empower small-budget arts leaders to drive meaningful change in 2024 with relevance strategist, Ruth Hartt.   Ruth Hartt leverages interdisciplinary insights to champion the arts, foster inclusivity, and drive meaningful change. Known for merging powerful perspective shifts with actionable insights, Ruth brings a unique blend of experience to her work as a relevance strategist for arts ..read more

You’ve met Dr. Steenblik before in his awesome episode about the sight-reading chorus as part of Florida All-State programming. We get to bring him back today, but this time addressing a BIG hot topic - burnout! Get ready for tools, ideas, and so much more — including guest co-host, Alex Gartner! This episode is part of the ACDA National Standing Committee for Advocacy & Collaboration Committee’s curated content. Check out more from Dr. Steenblik in episode 143!  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QfCtU4Mlcc4  Resources list: Brock, Barbara L., and Marilyn L. Gra ..read more

Let’s talk about “customer value!” Meet the American Choral Directors Association's newest Director of Membership Programs & Services, Dennis Carpenter. In this episode, you’ll learn all about the path that led Dennis to ACDA, his goals and ideas for the role, and lots of other little tidbits, especially related to advocacy and collaboration as this episode is part of the A&C Committee’s curated content. Learn more about Dennis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denniscarpenteriom/ and https://acda.org/national-office  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jybyf3bbGxU.  ..read more

Meet UK Singer/Songwriter Polly Paulusma as we talk about songwriting, motherhood and the music business, mental health, wild swimming…and so much more! This conversation is a fun one! Learn more about Polly: pollypaulusma.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DHwpFumLJvs  The Music (ed) Matters Podcast is sponsored by our friends over at Perform International. Thinking of going on tour domestically or abroad, want to take a solo tour, or team up with a dynamic festival? PI offers the best educationally sound and culturally significant experiences! Check them out, and tel ..read more

Meet Ruth—former opera singer, “compassionate truthteller”, relevance strategist, and arts champion. Her company, “Culture for hire,” addresses the eye-opening perspective shift for arts orgs - it’s not about you!  In this conversation, “The Business of Choir” Co-Author, Alex Gartner joins as co-host as we talk to Ruth about how we can all approach arts marketing and our arts orgs - no matter what kind of “arts” we are involved in - to start being essential!   Learn more about Culture for Hire: https://www.cultureforhire.com/ Learn more about Ruth Hartt: https://www.cultureforhire ..read more