Musical Progression Michael Merrill

Superstar composer Tarik O'Regan joins us this week with plenty of advice and optimism about what the pandemic can offer concerning opportunities. Join us as we talk about navigating the shutdown, the need for a new way of thinking regarding institutional biases concerning race and other aspects, and what O'Regan believes the new future will look like.

Looking for a music career in academia? My guest this week, Prof. David J. Smith, has tons of answers as to how to do just that. We discuss the importance of research, quality over quantity, and the process of getting your scholarly works recognized and published.

Dr. Brandon Waddles' choral compositions and arrangements have been published and performed by choral ensembles around the world, including the Morehouse College and University of Michigan Glee Clubs, Oakwood Aeolians, Westminster Choir, Brigham Young University Singers and the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir. In 2019, he was awarded as the inaugural recipient of the ACDA Diverse Voices Collaborative Grant. In addition, he has worked as a transcriber of Black gospel music for numerous choral octavos, hymnals and hymnal supplements published by GIA, including his recent work as a contributing editor for the One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism hymnal. Brandon recently released Just In Case You’ve Forgotten, the first selected compendium of works by the late Thomas Whitfield, the subject of his dissertation.

Brandon has been blessed to work with a diverse array of musicians including Dalton Baldwin, Martin Katz, Angela Brown, George Shirley, Donnie Ray Albert, Vinson Cole, Fred Hammond, Kathy Taylor, Anita Wilson and Chrystal Rucker. Recently serving as Music Director for Grammy-nominated recording artist Ledisi, he has collaborated with the celebrated singer on multiple occasions, including her Nina & Me concert series and LEDISI: THE LEGEND OF LITTLE GIRL BLUE show-run at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Dr. Waddles holds professional memberships with the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.

Today’s guest is Allison Vest, a collaborative pianist and music entrepreneur from Rexburg, Idaho. In today’s podcast, we talk about her journey from being a college student to one of the most popular and sought-after collaborative artists in the SE Idaho region, as well as how she works with her performing ensembles to get gigs and sponsors, and a whole lot more.

Allison is a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho having completed a Bachelor of Science in Music degree in 2009. During her time as a student, Allison was frequently asked to accompany university choirs and voice students. After graduating, she has continued providing her accompaniment services to BYU-Idaho as an employee of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She works with university choirs, symphonies, bands, students, and other professors as a rehearsal and performance pianist for the Theater and Music departments. Her many experiences with the university have led to an extensive repertoire list that includes every genre from every era of music. She is highly regarded by university faculty as well as performing arts students.

Allison’s main passion is opera. She was a featured harpsichordist for the 2011 BYU-Idaho Theatre production of The Marriage of Figaro and has accompanied opera selections from Don Giovanni, Gianni Schicci, Old Maid and a Thief, Madame Butterfly, Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute, Tartuffe, Carmen, and numerous other works.

As a collaborative pianist Allison has accompanied and played alongside artists such as Alyson Cambridge, Alfie Boe, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Santino Fontana, David Archuleta, Frederica Von Stade.

Allison has frequently accompanied and performed with the Idaho Falls Symphony and has earned the praise and respect of Conductor, Dr. Thomas Heuser. She has also collaborated in performances for Opera Idaho, The Playmill Theater, and the Idaho Falls Opera Theater among many other solo and ensemble groups including her latest venture with Trio de Bois.

Be sure to check out her website after the podcast at allisonvestaccompanist.com

Welcome to the Musical Progression Podcast, where I interview professional musicians in all stages of their careers to try to find out how to grow from an emerging artist to a fully-evolved professional.

Help the Musical Progression Podcast by signing up on patreon.com/mikemerrillcomposer