The Music Mind Lab

Caileen Wan
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  • Music Interviews
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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. 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

    22 min

  2. 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

    24 min

  3. 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)

    28 min

  4. 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

    28 min

  5. 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

    21 min

  6. Apr 14

    Episode 14: Going With the Flow: Mia Hong

    About the Episode: In this episode, violinist Mia Hong explains the unique curriculum of Juilliard Precollege, shares notable memories from summer programs, and speaks about focusing on self-growth.  About the Artist: Mia Hong is a 16-year-old violinist from New York. She studies with Ann Setzer at Juilliard Pre-College, and has previously attended the Meadowmount School of Music.  Intro /outro music: Clara Schumann Three Romances for Violin and Piano, Op. 22 (1853) I. Andante Molto, performed by Mia Hong

    15 min

  7. Mar 31

    Episode 13: Loving Yourself: Brandon Hu

    About the Episode: How do musicians overcome frustrating performances and reach the highest efficiency possible while practicing? In this episode, violinist Brandon Hu explains the importance of planning, reflecting, researching composers and music history, and building a strong and loving relationship with oneself. Listen to Brandon share notable lessons from summer programs, speak about the intersection between music and writing, and give a framework for maintaining efficient practice every day.  About the Artist: Brandon Hu is a sophomore at the John Burroughs School. Hu started playing the violin at three and at the age of eleven, started transitioning from a music lover to a serious musician. At the age of 9, he joined the Webster Community Music School’s (CMS) string orchestra. He joined CMS’s Young People’s Concert Orchestra in 2019 and was the principal of second violins at the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra (YPSO) during the 2022-2023 season. During that season, he and YPSO were chosen to perform at the Missouri Music Educator Association.   Hu’s first concerto debut was with the Odyssey Chamber Series alongside two violinists performing the “Bach Triple Violin Concerto” as one of the winners of the Odyssey Concerto Competition in Columbia, Missouri. In 2023, he was awarded the runner-up at the Missouri state level in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) in the junior string division.   At John Burroughs School, Hu, along with his classmates, founded the school’s first ever chamber music ensemble, The Burrough Trio, and performed at the school and around the St. Louis Area.   Hu has studied at music festivals such as Indiana University’s Jacob School of Music Summer String Academy in 2023, Meadowmount School of Music in 2024, and University of Michigan’s MPulse Center Stage Strings in 2025. He has received guidance from pedagogues like Mr. Pasha Sabouri, Mr. I-Hao Lee, Ms. Danielle Belen, Mr. Elbert Tsai, and Mr. Simon James.  Hu would like to thank his former teacher Ms. Celina Casado for guiding him on the very start of the violin. He thanks Ms. Joo Kim who has taught over the last 9 years and has helped him to grow as a musician and as a person. Intro/outro music: Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No. 5 in A minor, Op. 37, performed by Brandon Hu

    23 min

  8. Mar 17

    Episode 12: Letting Go of Results: Ana Chirinos

    About the Episode: How do musicians manage their everyday practice and deliver their best performances onstage? In this episode, cellist Ana Chirinos explains how she began playing the cello, her experiences with orchestra and chamber music, her preparation process for the National Sphinx Competition, advice for college auditions, and strategies for balancing music with academics.   About the Artist: Ana is a 17-year-old cellist from Columbus, Georgia. Although she began on violin like her mother and sister, she soon realized she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and picked up the cello instead. She has earned first place in the Atlanta Music Club Scholarship Competition, received honorable mention in the Sphinx Competition and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, and was a finalist in both the Samuel Fordis Young Artists Concerto Competition and the Ronald Sachs International Music Competition. She is also an awardee of a full scholarship from the International Cello Institute. Ana enjoys learning orchestral repertoire and listens to the music so often that she memorizes not only her part, but the parts of other sections too. One of her favorite works is Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade, a piece she finds cinematic, colorful, and full of vivid storytelling. Intro Music: Haydn Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb/1, performed by Ana Chirinos at the 2026 Sphinx Competition Semi-Finals

    24 min
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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
    2K
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Caileen Wan
  • Show Website
    The Music Mind Lab