Cellist Estelle Choi is a founding member of the award-winning Calidore String Quartet. Listen as she talks about her musical background and education, life in a professional string quartet, the lineage of the older generation of chamber musicians, and advice she gives to aspiring musicians.

Learn more about the Calidore String Quartet and listen to their recordings: https://www.calidorestringquartet.com/

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Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstagecccpodcast

Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Renowned viola pedagogue Victoria Chiang is on faculty at the Peabody Institute, Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and the Aspen Music Festival. Listen as she talks about her time studying with Dorothy Delay and Heidi Castleman, finding her passion for teaching, and the importance of having a growth mindset as a classical musician.

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Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstagecccpodcast

Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Join host Katrina as she interviews Eugene Watanabe who founded the Gifted Music School with his wife Dr. Vera and was the first person to graduate Curtis with a double degree in violin and piano. Listen as he talks about his violin and piano careers, starting the Gifted Music School, and his true passion for teaching music to young students.

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Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstagecccpodcast

Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Violinist Simon James is a renowned pedagogue at the San Fransisco Conservatory of Music, veteran of the Seattle Symphony for 30 years, and recorder of hundreds of soundtracks. Listen as James talks about being a musician contractor, recording in the symphony and in the studio, and his inspirations as a renowned violin teacher.

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Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstagecccpodcast

Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Violist of the Emerson String Quartet that won 9 GRAMMYS, Lawrence Dutton talks about his life before the quartet, collaborations and stories from the Emerson Quartet, and gives his advice for aspiring professional musicians.

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Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

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Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra for the past 26 years, violinist David Kim joins host Katrina to share his stories of studying with Dorothy DeLay, challenges he faced in his career, his journey to the Philadelphia Orchestra, the important roles of a concertmaster, and his advice for aspiring professional musicians.

For more information on David Kim: davidkimviolin.com

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Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

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Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

Artistic Director of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and violinist of the Ehnes Quartet, Amy Schwartz Moretti is a violinist who has established herself as a soloist, chamber musician, and guest concertmaster. Listen as Moretti shares stories of how she met James Ehnes and Robert McDuffie, turning points in her career, and her advice for how to balance a multifaceted career while balancing your personal life.

For more information on Amy Schwartz Moretti: amyschwartzmoretti.com
For more information on the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings: McDuffie.mercer.edu

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Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

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Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok

In this debut episode, host Katrina Stroud introduces the inspiration behind the show — stories and advice from classical music professionals.

Katrina shares what led her to create the podcast, her own journey in classical music, and what listeners can expect in future episodes. Each conversation will take you behind the scenes with esteemed professionals musicians as they share the real stories behind their careers. Through honest and heartfelt interviews, you'll hear about the triumphs, setbacks, and turning points that shape a life in classical music.

Whether you’re a music student, a seasoned musician, or simply curious about the stories of the industry leaders, this is your invitation to step backstage and discover the people behind the performances.

Let us know what you think!

Support the show

Producer and Editor: Katrina Stroud

Follow us on Instagram: @backstagecccpodcast

Intro and Outro Music: Beethoven Sonata No. 1, III. Rondo performed by Katrina Stroud and Leila Lok