The Music Mind Lab

Caileen Wan
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  • Music Interviews
  • Biweekly

How do other musicians practice? What do they think before going onstage? How do they navigate competitive environments? What summer programs and festivals do they recommend?  In this podcast, you'll find the answers to these questions and much more. Explore interviews with musicians across the nation about their experiences, stories, and words of advice! Website: https://musicmindlab.org/

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 22: The Power of Music Therapy: Elizabeth VanSant

    About the Episode: In this episode, professional music therapist Elizabeth Vansant shares her journey becoming a music therapist, the process of designing and tailoring sessions for her patients, and the incredible impact of music therapy on her patients. About the Artist: Elizabeth (she/her) grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri and fell in love with music, specifically show tunes, at an early age. She received her Bachelor’s of Music in Music Therapy at the University of Kansas and fulfilled her internship at a school for autistic individuals in Columbus, Ohio.  Elizabeth embraces a neurodiversity-affirming and client-centered approach to therapy and strives to help each individual reach their chosen goals. One of her greatest joys is providing a space in which her clients can comfortably be themselves while they make music together. Though she primarily works with autistic and other neurodivergent individuals and groups, she also enjoys facilitating memory care groups at local long-term care centers. Intro/outro music by Bertrand W.

  2. Oct 13

    Episode 21: Competing With Yourself: Madelyn Huang

    About the Episode: In this episode, violinist and pianist Madelyn Huang shares her insight into overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating two instruments, and finding joy and confidence through her repertoire.  About the Artist: Madelyn Huang, 17, is currently studying with Simon James in the Coleman Violin Studio. In 2026, she earned 2nd place in the solo violin category at the State Solo and Ensemble Competition and was invited to the SYAMFA Concerto Playoffs. She also attended the Bowdoin International Music Festival, where she studied with Renee Jolles. Intro/outro music: Sibelius Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, i. Allegro Moderato, performed by Madelyn Huang

  3. Oct 6

    Episode 20: The Path to a Professional: Chen Zhao

    About the Episode: In this episode, acclaimed violinist Professor Chen Zhao shares his experiences transitioning from music studies to a professional career, his favorite recordings, insight into approaching new repertoire, and advice on balancing a musical career with personal interests. About the Artist: Chen Zhao joined the San Francisco Symphony second violin section in 2000 and was previously a member of the New World Symphony. He is also a professor of violin at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a violin coach for the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra. As a soloist, Zhao has appeared with the SF Symphony, SF Symphony Youth Orchestra, Camellia Symphony, Oslo Chamber Orchestra, Stanford Symphony, Cal Poly Symphony, UC Davis Symphony, and Curtis Symphony. He has also toured extensively across the United States, Europe, and Asia, including appearances at the Ravinia Festival, La Jolla Music Society, Sun Valley Music Festival, Round Top, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Evian Rencontres Musicicales, Pacific Crest Music Festival, BBC Proms, and Lucerne Festival. Zhao is a native of Shanghai and showed an early interest in music, playing a makeshift violin—a chopstick and pencil box—until receiving a one-eighth-size violin on his fourth birthday. He studied with his uncle Ronghao Nie and gave his first public performance at the Shanghai Children’s Palace at age six. He later studied at the Shanghai Conservatory, Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, Curtis Institute of Music, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His teachers include Jiaxiang Zhou, Jiyang Zhao, Heiichiro Ohyama, Felix Galimir, and Camilla Wicks, along with members of the Amadeus, Guarneri, Vermeer, Juilliard, and Borodin quartets. Intro/outro music: Naja's Waltz, performed by Chen Zhao (playing on a 1713 Stradivari on loan from Strad Society), Hagan Tran, Harriet Cohen, and Joe Brackmann.

  4. Jun 15

    Episode 19: Finding Growth in Challenges: Mary Clementi

    About the Episode: In this episode, Ms. Mary Clementi speaks about her experiences with encountering and overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of music foundations, and the joy of staying open to new opportunities.  About the Artist: Mary is in her seventh year at Lakeside School and her twentieth year of teaching. She relocated to Seattle from New York City, where she was the Executive Director and Music Director of Highbridge Voices, an after school music and academic program serving children in the Bronx. Mary has served as a guest clinician and adjudicator in schools in New York, Virginia, Maryland, and Wisconsin. She was a 2013 Fellow to the International Conductors Exchange Program in Hangzhou, China. She is a member of Mirinesse Women’s Choir. Mary received her Master of Music Education degree at Florida State University in Tallahassee, and her Bachelor of Music degree at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Intro/outro music: Bel Canto by Gary Fry, performed by Highbridge Voices, conducted by Mary Clementi

  5. Jun 2

    Episode 18: Pursuing Music Education: Erica Johansen

    About the Episode: In this episode, Erica Johansen speaks about her experiences navigating music school, managing stage fright, finding her passion in her career, and ultimately pursuing a career in music education. About the Artist: ERICA JOHANSEN grew up on both coasts, spending equal childhood years on Cape Cod and in the Monterey Bay area. She began studying the violin at age 8 with a teacher who referred to herself as “the fiddlewitch.” Since 1998 Erica has resided in the Pacific Northwest where she enjoys a healthy balance of teaching and performing while raising two teenage boys. Johansen holds a Master of Music in violin performance from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Puget Sound. Her primary teachers include Ed Seferian, Rochelle Walton, Kyung Chee and Rene Staar. Erica is concertmaster of the Lake Union Civic Orchestra and has served in that role since 2002. She is in her 18th year teaching and conducting at Lakeside School, where she runs a robust string program of over 150 students in grades 5-12. Intro/outro music: Rimsy-Korsakov Scheherazade, I. The Sea and Sinbad's Ship solo performed by Erica Johansen

  6. May 26

    Episode 17: Fostering Mentorships: Eidee Tan and Selina Lai

    About the Episode: In this episode, Eidee Tan and Selina Lai speak about their inspirations, motivations, and plans for Octave, a youth-run organization aiming to foster musical mentorships. About the Artists: Eidee is a Seattle-based student violinist, chamber musician, and ensemble leader who began her violin studies during the Covid-19 pandemic and quickly discovered a passion for connecting with others through music. She has been a member of the Seattle Chamber Music Society Youth Academy for the past three years, performing in winter and summer festival pre-concert recitals and presenting full chamber music programs in Tacoma and other regional venues.She serves as concertmaster and section leader in school and community orchestras, including Newport High School and Seattle Youth Symphony, and is actively involved in coaching and mentoring younger musicians. Eidee currently studies with Professor Ronald Patterson, a former student of Jascha Heifetz, and Simon James of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Selina Lai is a junior at Newport High School and plays the violin and viola. She has been playing the violin for 7 years and the viola for around 3 years. She plays the viola in her quartet, but mainly plays the violin in and out of school. Outside of school, she enjoys creating music with her peers in the Youth Symphony of Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO).  She is the co-organizer of the program at a local middle school, coaching young musicians and taking that opportunity and experience to tutor more students in her school. Her passion for tutoring stems from volunteering in organizations that allows her to make a change in her community. Intro/outro music: Debussy String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10, performed by the Achille Quartet (Eidee Tan, Selina Lai, Elliott Pyon, and Eli Paek)

  7. May 12

    Episode 16: Driven by Curiosity: Heather Bentley

    About the Episode: In this episode, composer, violist, and educator Heather Bentley explains her composition inspirations and process, the impact of her classical background, her experiences with music education, and her future plans to pursue music in France. About the Artist: Seattle-based violist and composer Heather Bentley has trailblazed a career as one of the West Coast’s most visible improvisatory musicians, specializing in creating evocative atmospheres and textures. Classically trained, she has shifted to an unabashedly experimental artistic output: As a performer, she can be seen performing on instruments like her electric seven string and five string violins or her electronic pedal board in numerous chamber ensembles that utilize improvisation, electronics, and often both. As a composer, her work for chamber ensembles and orchestras has been performed by organizations across the US. Relentless in her pursuit of creativity, she continues this work as co-founder of Kin of the Moon, a 501(c)(3) organization which fosters collaboration between artists in service of creating unique art. Intro/outro music: Monday’s Child (2020-21) For viola solo, written and performed by Heather Bentley

  8. Apr 28

    Episode 15: Bridging Generations: Megan Liu

    About the Episode: In this episode, pianist and singer Megan Liu explains the unique quality of music to bridge generations, express emotions, and bring joy to others. About the Artist: Megan Liu, a junior at Newport High School, is a pianist and (casual) singer. She moved to WA from Beijing when she was 10 years old. She has been playing piano for 12 years and singing for 8 years. She sometimes plays the piano or ukulele to accompany her singing. She has been part of Project Andante, a student-led music performance organization, for almost 4 years. She likes to perform classical and pop music renditions. Outside of music, she enjoys exploring Indie video games, watching theories and ARGs on YouTube, running around her neighborhood, and hanging out with her little sister.   Intro/outro music: Debussy Suite bergamasque, L. 75: I. Prélude , performed by Megan Liu

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About

How do other musicians practice? What do they think before going onstage? How do they navigate competitive environments? What summer programs and festivals do they recommend?  In this podcast, you'll find the answers to these questions and much more. Explore interviews with musicians across the nation about their experiences, stories, and words of advice! Website: https://musicmindlab.org/

Information

  • Creator
    Caileen Wan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Caileen Wan
  • Show Website
    The Music Mind Lab