Sounds of the World

Today we have the absolute pleasure and honor of talking to rising classical music star composer, Jimmy Lopez. We discuss his humble beginnings in Lima, Peru, his education in Finland and California, and his advice for composers that want to have performances of their music but are finding many doors closed in their faces. We also talk about how he found his own voice while thousands of miles away from home. 

Personal Links:

Pers...

Today we talk with Steve Marz! Steve is a musician originally from Boston and making his way with some great songs. We talk about religion, the infamous Boston accent, the bands he played with, moving to Denver, being true to oneself, and being a performer in a pandemic world. We talk about being grateful during the hardest times and how music is one of the best forms of catharsis. Steve is a wonderful songwriter with his first alb...

Today we have a wonderful episode with the suddenly viral and extremely humble, Louie Benson, a.k.a. Team Louie. We discuss his attempted stand up comic career, how he got into music, his love for rap, his alter ego The Party Planner, and, ultimately, how overnight he became a viral sensation. Louie is an amazingly humble person and a complete crack up. We know that you will love this episode and he will definitely be someone that ...

We are back with another amazing episode and inspiring interview with the Tik Tok star and core figure to the band Vattica, Alex Millar. Today we talk to Alex about life, music, and Tik Tok video success. Alex is best known for the segment, Self Made is a Toxic Myth, where Alex debunks the American myth that if you work hard enough you will make it to the top of the music world by yourself. Alex is inspiring, and truly gets Hillary...

Today we have the great honor to introduce and talk with a young rapper from New York, King Konye, as well as have a guest co-host, Abigail Montgomery. We get to talk with King about his musical dreams, creating a following, and dive deeper into what he enjoys in life. Thank you so much King and thank you Abigail for jumping in and helping out. 

Guest:

King Konye

Music Included in this Episode:

The Trial from the album The Four...

In this episode we have the wonderful honor to talk to Dr. Doug Bielmeier. We get to talk with him about electronic and electroacoustic music. We also talk about his brand new record out “Ambient Works”, his previous albums, and the importance of the genre in the musical world. Not only is Doug a wonderful composer but he is also a host of his own podcast. Make sure to check it out with the link in the artists profile! 

Guest:

Do...

Today we are in Baltimore speaking with singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and all around inspiration Anthony Parker, a.k.a. Wordsmith. We speak to him about being a military child, writing hip-hop music that is relatable for those that haven't grown up in the quintessential neighborhoods, using your position for positive change, and much more. Anthony also drops volumes of knowledge on us about music, life, and in gen...

Today we have the honor of speaking with conductor/arranger YoonJae Lee! YoonJae is a Korean American and currently lives in New York City. We talk with YoonJae about discussing musical topics and mental health on Clubhouse, connectivity of classical music, individuality versus group, music appreciation, arranging the giant Mahler symphonies for chamber orchestras, and his fantastic group Ensemble 212. YoonJae is a wonderful conduc...

Today we are in the Maryland/Virginia area speaking with the lead singer of Any Given Sin - Vic Ritchie! We talk with him about our mutual friend (and previous guest) Dusty Grant, the formation of Any Given Sin, Vic’s song writing process, our favorite beers/liquor, practicing and producing music during the pandemic, talk about hip-hop and rock music, as well as trash on Drake. This episode was a blast to do and Vic was wonderful! ...

Welcome to the Big Apple! We have a very special guest and special host today! Our special co-host today is Abigail Montgomery, Bill’s wife. And we are talking with composer Tom Morrison. He is a good friend of Hillary’s from the University of Montana where he started as a forestry major but then quickly found a place within the music studies. Hillary, Abbie, and Tom chat about readjusting to the city, cheating on your therapist, T...

Welcome to Sousse, Tunisia! Today we speak with the fascinating and so humble rapper, Marwan Mrag. He started as a b-boy with numerous groups and eventually worked up to being featured with other rappers from around the Tunisian area. We saw him featured on a song via Instagram and knew we had to know more about him. This is his first ever interview outside of Tunisia and we couldn't more excited and honored to be a part of his...

We have come to the deep south where we have the wonderful opportunity to speak with Austin Franklin. Austin is from Jasper, Texas, by way of Oklahoma, but went on to Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and is currently at Louisiana State University where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Experimental Music and Digital Media. His music is ethereal, sublime, serene, and tense. We discuss his early life in music and how he came to be a comp...

We are in the Great White North speaking with teacher and business woman Glory St. Germain. Glory St. Germain is the Founder/CEO and International Bestselling Author 50+ Ultimate Music Theory Books & The Power of WHY. She is also the Host of the Magic of Music Movement Summits, Expert Coach & Course Creator - UMTC Elite Educator Program. Glory brings remarkably successful teaching experience to the development of the Ultima...

Today we are in Oklahoma where we have the distinct honor of speaking with Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate and premiering the first part of a two part interview. Jerod is a member of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma and proudly represents his traditions. He is also a wonderfully gifted composer and performer that works to combine his Native American traditional music upbringing with a Western Classical Music education. We talk abo...

We are in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in our latest episode. We get to connect with Bill’s old college friend Ulises Ramirez. We talk with him about his musical upbringing, playing drums/trumpet, the pressures of growing up as the child of immigrants, and mariachi music. From his upbringing in Montana/Idaho to being thrown in to the deep end at University of Indiana in Bloomington, we discover a rich history and talent that seems alm...

Today we are in Chicago talking with our dear friend and inspired vocal teacher, Liz Jackson Hearns. Liz Jackson Hearns, MM (she/her/they/them) is the Co-Founder of The Voice Lab, Inc. in Chicago; co-author of The Singing Teacher's Guide to Transgender Voices, Co-Founder of Resonate, Chicago's all-trans chorus; Co-Founder of Trans Turning Point, a wellness fair for trans/gnc folks and trans-owned businesses;, and a voice in...

We have a very special guest here today from Japan, Shawn Renzoh Head. Born in St. Charles, Missouri, he began his musical education at 10 where he started on viola. He was introduced to music composition quickly after and began composing for ensembles at 15. Within a year, he had music performed throughout America and Europe. At 18, he discovered a passion for the shakuhachi while traveling throughout Asia. He soon became the youn...

Our guest today, Tatev Amiryan, was born and raised in Armenia in the Caucus Mountains. She has received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in music composition and music theory at Tchaikovsky Special Music School and in composition and musicology at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, Armenia and holds a doctorate of music arts degree in music composition from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Musi...

Our guest today is Dorothea Taylor. She was born and raised in Michigan and started playing drums at 13 when she joined a drum and bugle corps in her hometown. She got her first set of drums in high school and joined a band after she graduated, playing five nights a week. She started teaching drumline for her high school’s feeder program when she was 17 and has been teaching ever since. She has played in a variety of bands includin...