Welcome to the Backstage: Classical Conversations Podcast!

Pedagogy Episodes

Misha Amory: Brentano Quartet
March 23, 2026

Misha Amory: Brentano Quartet

Listen to the season finale with violist Misha Amory, teacher at the Juilliard School and Curtis Institute, and founding member of the Brentano String Quartet, the quartet-in-residence at the Yale School of Music. In this ins...
Danielle Belen Part 2: University of Michigan
March 9, 2026

Danielle Belen Part 2: University of Michigan

Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan, Danielle Belen, talks about how she prepares her students for auditions, creating a supportive studio environment, entrepreneurship, and gives her advice to aspiring professi...
Danielle Belen Part 1: Center Stage Strings
March 2, 2026

Danielle Belen Part 1: Center Stage Strings

Danielle Belen, Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance, shares her journey though the music world and finding her passion for teaching the violin. Listen as she discusses her musi...
Paul Watkins: Yale School of Music
Jan. 5, 2026

Paul Watkins: Yale School of Music

Paul Watkins is an esteemed cellist on faculty at the Yale School of Music and a member of the Emerson String Quartet starting in 2013. He discusses the influence of his musical education, the importance of mentorship, and th...
Fabiola Kim: University of Michigan
Nov. 17, 2025

Fabiola Kim: University of Michigan

Violinist Fabiola Kim is a renowned solo violinist and teaches at the University of Michigan and Colburn School. Listen as she talks about her musical mentors, finding her passion for teaching, lessons she's learned performin...
Jeffrey Turner: Indiana University
Oct. 20, 2025

Jeffrey Turner: Indiana University

Double bassist Jeffrey Turner is a renowned principal orchestral musician, conductor, and pedagogue and teaches at the Indiana University Jacob's School of Music. Listen as he walks through each of his career paths, explains ...
Annie Fullard Part II: Art of Collaboration
Sept. 22, 2025

Annie Fullard Part II: Art of Collaboration

Annie Fullard, first violinist of the Cavani String Quartet and head of chamber music at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and Peabody Institute, talks about developing her chamber music pedagogy and chamber music legacy...
Victoria Chiang: Peabody Institute
Aug. 18, 2025

Victoria Chiang: Peabody Institute

Renowned viola pedagogue Victoria Chiang is on faculty at the Peabody Institute, Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and the Aspen Music Festival. Listen as she talks about her time studying with Dorothy Delay and Heidi Castl...
Eugene Watanabe: Gifted Music School
Aug. 4, 2025

Eugene Watanabe: Gifted Music School

Eugene Watanabe founded the Gifted Music School with his wife Dr. Vera and was the first person to graduate Curtis with a double degree in violin and piano. Listen as he talks about his violin and piano careers, starting the ...
Simon James: San Francisco Conservatory of Music
July 21, 2025

Simon James: San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Violinist Simon James is a renowned pedagogue at the San Fransisco Conservatory of Music, veteran of the Seattle Symphony for 30 years, and recorder of hundreds of soundtracks. Listen as James talks about being a musician con...
Guest: Simon James
Amy Schwartz Moretti: Robert McDuffie Center for Strings
June 2, 2025

Amy Schwartz Moretti: Robert McDuffie Center for Strings

Artistic Director of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings and violinist of the Ehnes Quartet, Amy Schwartz Moretti is a violinist who has established herself as a soloist, chamber musician, and guest concertmaster. Listen a...