THE REMOTE PODCAST Michael Zarathus-Cook

For Episode 6 of The Remote Podcast, Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser—the Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra—talks about how the organization intends to make the most of the $3.85 million donation recently announced. In a wide ranging conversation, we discuss how this donation enables Daniel to help pursue his vision for the TSO’s community outreach; what he makes of his journey thus far as a black, gay conductor in classical music, as well as the gender-disparity on the podium.

If you’d like to learn more about Daniel—he’s got a very interesting story—do checkout his documentary with the CBC titled ‘Disruptor Conductor’. It is streaming now on CBC Gem.

A great conversation with the very smart and very savvy artistic director of Tapestry Opera, Michael Mori. Tapestry really leads the way when it comes to commissioning full length Canadian operas. We talk a great deal about how the company is navigating their programming through the Pandemic. We also talk about their livestream concerts, their Women in Musical Leadership program (the application for which is available at tapestryopera.com ) and wrap with up with a stretch of his view on what it means to do away with the gap between how an organization presents itself, in regards to being pro-diversity, and what it actually does to promote diversity. 

Episode 4 of the REMOTE podcast: A great conversation with cellist Arlen Hlusko about her latest recording, commissioned by the Fall For Dance North Festival. The album, in[verse], features a cast of dancers reading selected poems paired with cello works curated and performed by Arlen. We also talk about the year that has been and how classical music can create a more diverse and inclusive culture. Lotsa fun chatting with Arlen, I hope you enjoy it—please pass it on if you do, and keep an ear out for the next episode!

in[verse] is available to listen to for free at ffdnorth.com till October 18th
Also check out the interview with FFDN's Artistic Director, Ilter Ibrahimov

Episode 3 of the REMOTE podcast: A great conversation with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s CEO, Matthew Loden, about the array of programs that the orchestra has put together to replace the fall programming they originally intended. It’s pretty cool to see some of the initiatives they’re taking part of in the broader community, from the AGO to the YMCA. We also talk about the nuances in how an orchestra gets to a more diverse and inclusive space, like the pros and cons of blind auditions for example. It was a blast chatting with Matthew, I hope you enjoy it—please pass it on if you do, and keep an ear out for the next episode!

Click here for a list of the TSO's programming for Fall 2020

Interview with Toronto-based pianist Stewart Goodyear, about coping with the pandemic as a performer, the Black Lives Matter Movement as it pertains to the the performing arts, and a brief history of his discography as a performer of colour. 

For more information on Stewart as well as some of the topics discussed, visit his website www.stewartgoodyearpiano.com

Photo Credit: Anita Zvonar 

Interview with Toronto-based pianist Luke Welch about his  article 'Life As a Black Classical Pianist' and the recent NYT Op.Ed 'To Make Orchestras More Diverse, End Blind Auditions'.