Beyond Mastery (Eugene Friesen)
Explore every episode of Beyond Mastery
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04 Apr 2023 | Welcome to Beyond Mastery with Eugene Friesen | 00:00:55 | |
This podcast highlights new trends and new thinking in contemporary musicianship. In each episode, Grammy Award-winning composer and cellist Eugene Friesen conducts fascinating interviews with artists who are navigating our fast-moving culture with imagination and optimism. To find more information on our featured guests along with a growing menu of strategies, retreats, and conversations with the Beyond Mastery community of contemporary musicians, visit BeyondMastery.com. _____ | |||
| 04 Apr 2023 | Interview with Paul Winter | 01:08:17 | |
Paul Winter is a genre-defining and genre-defying multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist. Paul saw early success as a jazz saxophonist and bandleader with albums on Columbia Records, playing at the Kennedy White House, and State Department tours of South America. This tenure blossomed into a life of purpose in music championing endangered species, our planet, and creating ensembles of startling diversity. _____ | |||
| 13 Jun 2023 | Interview with Matt Glaser | 00:45:47 | |
Matt Glaser is an American jazz and bluegrass violinist and has been an influential thought leader in the history of American jazz and roots music for many years. In this episode with host Eugene Friesen, he talks about his journey in the creative industry, his insights into the history of American jazz and roots music, and how his journey aligns with the world of improvisation, collaboration, and creative expression. _____ | |||
| 14 Jul 2023 | Meditation for Performance with Barbara Bogatin | 00:57:52 | |
San Francisco Symphony cellist Barbara Bogatin is also a longtime practitioner of Insight Meditation. In this episode with host Eugene Friesen, Barbara brings these two parts of her life together with practical and transformative tips on practicing, auditioning, and performing. To learn more about Barbara, explore the show notes on the Beyond Mastery website. _____ | |||
| 28 Sep 2023 | Reframing the Role of the Musician: A Conversation About Sound Work and Community Healing with Joshua Leeds | 00:27:29 | |
How can we expand musicians' imaginations about how they can serve communities beyond traditional performance? In this episode of Beyond Mastery, host Eugene Friesen engages in a profound dialogue about the power of music with music producer, educator, and sonic activist Joshua Leeds. _____ | |||
| 16 Nov 2023 | Harmony Beyond Boundaries: How Chelsey Green Has Defied Genres with Violin and Viola | 00:51:22 | |
How do we find a way toward a new kind of relevancy for creative artists through innovative forms of collaboration? And how do we honor our histories to engage audiences in our creative process? In this episode, host Eugene Friesen speaks with Chelsey Green, a Billboard-charting artist and teacher renowned for her passionate and innovative performances. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Chelsey shares her unique journey—from classical roots to the dynamic fusion of jazz and hip hop with her ensemble, The Green Project. On the road to her successes, Chelsey shares the challenges she faces as a Black woman navigating the traditionally stratified worlds of music. Her ability to authentically blend seemingly disparate styles creates a sound that is uniquely hers—passionate, vivacious, and truly electrifying—echoes the power of resilience and the transformative ability of music to break down societal barriers. Head to the Beyond Mastery website to learn more about Chelsey and follow her on Instagram @drchelseygreen. _____ | |||
| 14 Dec 2023 | Flutist Nancy Stagnitta: The Virtues in Virtuosity, Self-Kindness, and Red Boxing Gloves | 00:54:57 | |
Renowned for her virtuosity and versatility, flutist Nancy Stagnitta’s musical evolution was born in classical music and expanded through jazz. In this episode, she sits down with Eugene Friesen to share how improvisation impacted the evolution of her classical artistry and how now, as an instructor at Interlochen Arts Academy and principal flutist with esteemed orchestras, Nancy imparts the art of improvisation, encouraging students to transcend the confines of sheet music. _____ | |||
| 21 Jan 2024 | The Habits of Healing and Devotion, and the Feminism in Rhythm with Glen Velez | 00:52:06 | |
Four-time Grammy Award-winner, Glen Velez, is legendary figure in the modern frame drum movement, revered worldwide by musicians and audiences alike. His pioneering influence reshaped contemporary music, introducing a new genre of drumming inspired by years of percussion and frame drumming studies across diverse cultures. In this episode, Glen shares his captivating journey with host Eugene Friesen, unfolding his virtuosic combinations of hand movements, finger techniques, and original compositional style. Learn about his innovative approach, incorporating stepping, drum language, and Central Asian overtone singing. _____ | |||
| 18 Feb 2024 | Kenny Werner: Pianist, Composer & Author of "Effortless Mastery" | 00:54:28 | |
What does "mastery" mean? Eugene Friesen sits down with esteemed jazz pianist and composer - and dear friend - Kenny Werner to share their journeys towards effortless playing and self-discovery Learn about shedding performance anxiety and redefining the practice of music, plus techniques for practicing piano effortlessly, honing improvisation skills, and overcoming overwhelm in the face of musical challenges. But beyond technique, Kenny and Eugene delve into the spiritual dimensions of music, discussing its role in harmonizing spaces and fostering peace in a chaotic world. Full of insight, stories, and humor, Kenny reveals an approach to music that is refreshingly light and yet deep in the extreme. _____ | |||
| 20 Jul 2024 | Underground Audiences: From Earth to Heaven with Bach, Humor, and Dobbs | 00:48:20 | |
A master storyteller and devotee of Bach's cello suites, Richard Hartshorne aka Dobbs has dedicated his life to bringing music to the most unlikely places around the world. In this episode with Eugene Friesen, Dobbs reveals how his musical journeys have not only changed the lives of his audiences but have also reshaped his own understanding of impact and service through art. Since 2004, Dobbs has performed exclusively in locations where music is a rare gift: from prisons in the US and Uganda to refugee camps and UN schools in Palestine, from drug rehab centers in Afghanistan to centers for abused women and homes for blind children in Iraq. His performances offer a profound sense of connection and remembrance to those in the most extreme circumstances, affirming the transformative power of music. Discover more about Dobbs and his global musical mission at BachwithVerse.org. _____ | |||
| 02 Sep 2024 | Strings of Change: John Mark Rozendaal’s Cello-Driven Activism | 00:35:03 | |
John Mark Rozendaal is a renowned musician and fervent climate justice activist. Celebrated for his mastery of Baroque and Renaissance music, John Mark has shifted his focus towards a critical and urgent mission—saving our dying planet. John Mark’s unique protest, playing Bach in front of Citibank to spotlight their substantial investments in fossil fuels, not only led to his arrest but also spotlighted the powerful role that music and musicians can play in societal change. In this conversation with Eugene Friesen, John Mark shares his transition from performing in esteemed early music ensembles and teaching at prestigious institutions to taking bold actions with Extinction Rebellion and Climate Defiance. Eugene and John Mark discuss the motivations behind this dramatic career shift, the challenges of overcoming feelings of helplessness against climate threats, and how we can bind together to make impactful statements on global issues. _____ | |||
| 20 Oct 2024 | Improvisation and Healing with Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater | 00:28:19 | |
Classically-trained virtuoso Jordan Rudess reveals how he unlocked the power of improvisation and self-expression, transforming his music into a profound healing force. Jordan shares his journey from Juilliard prodigy to pioneering creative artist and key member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. _____ | |||
| 15 Nov 2024 | Musical Freedom with Eugene Friesen | 00:16:43 | |
Join us in this profound exploration as we dive into the heart of musical freedom. Eugene reflects on the transformative power of music and how artists can reach beyond mastery to a place where only love for the music exists. Forget the audience, forget the critics, and forget the technique—discover how embracing this freedom can lead to performances that feel like flying, rich with safety, possibility, and a deep sense of belonging. Inspired by the words of Mozart and Rostropovich, Eugene shares his personal journey and insights into how musicians can truly embody their art, turning each note into a dialogue with the soul of the composer and, indeed, with something even greater. _____ | |||