Download the transcript: coming soon!

Season 6, Episode 2: Leading Faithfully with Ashley Schlusselberg ’25E

In this week’s episode, join Jeff Dunn as he speaks with alum Ashley Schlusselberg ’25E, discussing Ashley’s experiences as a student at Eastman, exploring her Jewish identity through music, and how she built connections with the local Jewish community of Rochester. As one of the first recipients of Eastman’s AMP Up Grant, Ashley was able to utilize funding and resources to engage with the community as she prepared for her senior recital.

Host: Jeff Dunn

Guest: Ashley Schlusselberg, ’25E

Mixing, Mastering: Kelly Jutsum

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Music: Will Jae

Transcript: TBD

Learn more about GUEST ARTIST

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript: Coming Soon!

Season 6, Episode 1: Elements of Sound with Adrian DiMatteo ’12E

In this episode, Jeff chats with guitarist, educator, and author Adrian DiMatteo ’12E about his unique journey. Adrian is the founder of the Sonic Institute, which offers experiential workshops, training programs, music lessons, healing sessions and events designed to help people connect with sound and music as a tool for meditation and healing. Adrian also discusses his experiences performing across the world, experiencing music making in different cultures, and his mindset that has enabled his journey as a professional musician.Release date:28 August 2025

Host: Jeff Dunn

Guest: Adrian DiMatteo

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose, Kelly Jutsum

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Music: Will Jae

Transcript: Coming soon!

Learn more about Adrian DiMatteo

Learn more about Sonic Institute

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript: Coming Soon!

Season 5, Episode 18: Behind the Baton with Dr. Mark Powell

In this episode, Jacob Rose ’24 chats with Dr. Mark Powell ’19E (DMA), Director of Orchestral Activities and Senior Lecturer at the Arthur Satz Department of Music on the University of Rochester’s River Campus. Dr. Powell speaks about his musical journey – from his early inspirations and experiences as a conductor to his time at the Eastman School of Music, his teaching philosophy, and future plans for his ensembles.

Host: Jacob Rose

Guest: Dr. Mark E.M.L. Powell, DMA

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Music: Will Jae

Transcript: Coming soon!

Learn more about Dr. Powell

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript: Coming soon!

Season 5, Episode 17: Creating a Visionary Ensemble with Eighth Blackbird

In this episode, graduate students Uday Singh and Julian Stuart-Burns chat with team members of Eighth Blackbird about the ensemble’s history, growth, and initiatives.  Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the GRAMMY award-winning ensemble, Matthew Duvall, shares the evolution of the group and how the organization’s mission has evolved.  Garrett Obrycki ’13E expands by adding his journey and perspective as the Director of the Creative Lab, an immersive residency that brings together composers, performers, and technologists to develop and perform new works.

Host: Uday Singh, Julian Stuart-Burns

Guest: Eighth Blackbird

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Music: Will Jae

Transcript: Coming soon!

Learn more about Eighth Blackbird

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript: Coming Soon!

Season 5, Episode 16: Sparking Scintillations with Blacktop Percussion

In this episode, Jeff chats with members of Blacktop Percussion, Brandon Berlanga, Michael-Lee Smith, and John Dawson, about their project “Scintillations,” which was funded in part by an IML Mentorship Grant.  The percussionists discuss creating their group, their first project, and the challenges in creating a new commission. “Scintillations” composer Sebastian Zhang joins the conversation to share his role in the project, and advice for those looking to create similar works.  

Host: Jeff Dunn

Guest: Blacktop Percussion, Sebastian Zhang

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Music: Will Jae

Transcript: Coming Soon!

Learn more about Blacktop Percussion

Learn more about Sebastian Zhang

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript:

Season 5, Episode 15: Unconventional Storytelling with District5 and Tara Hoot

In this episode, Jeff chats with members of District5, a DC-based wind quintet unafraid to program the seemingly impossible, and winners of a Paul R. Judy Center for Innovation and Research Grant. District5’s grant funded “The QUEEN-tet Project: A Symphonic Drag Story Hour,” a collaboration including Tara Hoot, an award-winning DC-based drag queen, and composer Christen Taylor Homes. Tara Hoot and Christen join the conversation to discuss the creation and impact of these performances, and long with conversations about all these musicians’ journeys.

Host: Jeff Dunn

Guest: District5, Tara Hoot, Christen Taylor Holmes

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Music: Will Jae

Transcript: Jacob Rose

District5’s upcoming “QUEEN-tet Project” at Johns Hopkins University!

Learn more about District5

Learn more about Tara Hoot

Learn more about Christen Taylor Holmes

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript:

Season 5, Episode 14: Global Impact with the China International Low Brass Elite Seminar and Vincent Huang ’22E (MM)

This episode features Vincent Huang ’22E (MM), recipient of an IML Mentorship Grant for his project, the China International Low Brass Elite Seminar. Hear about Vincent’s decision to study abroad in the US and his creation of the Seminar, offering masterclasses, lectures, and concerts for all levels of students in Nanjing, China. Joined by Professors Mark Kellogg, Professor of Trombone and chair of the Winds, Brass and Percussion Department and Larry Zalkind, Professor of Trombone, the seminar took place in the summer of 2024. Tune in to hear their experiences abroad and to discover why gaining experience beyond the classroom is crucial for personal and professional growth.

Host: Jeff Dunn

Guests: Vincent Huang, Mark Kellogg, Larry Zalkind

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose

Artwork:  Luke Juntunen

Music: Will Jae

Transcript: Jacob Rose

Learn more about Vincent

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript: S5E13 Transcript

Season 5, Episode 13: Behind the Stacks of the Sibley Music Library with Rick McRae

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Rick McRae, Catalog/Reference Librarian at the Sibley Music Library, where he primarily catalogs Eastman-related materials such as dissertations, concerts, and recital recordings. Rick shares his journey to becoming a music librarian, as well as insights on the value of staying open to new career opportunities while keeping a creative outlet alive. He also discusses the resources available to those interested in the field, the challenges of librarianship in the digital age, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of the Sibley Music Library, the largest university music library in the U.S.

Host: Jeff Dunn

Guest: Rick McRae

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose

Music: Will Jae

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Transcript: Jacob Rose

Learn more about Rick McRae

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript: S5E12 Transcript

Season 5, Episode 12: Breaking into Broadway with Chad Smith ’98E (MM)

In this episode, Jeff chats with Chad Smith ’98E (MM), saxophonist and woodwind artist. Chad discusses his varied experiences touring, performing on Broadway for shows such as Wicked and Threepenny Opera, among other live performance and recording in both New York and Los Angeles. Additionally, Chad speaks about his teaching and development of a multi-woodwind degree, and offers advice for those exploring opportunities in musical theater.

Host: Jeff Dunn

Guest: Chad Smith

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Music: Will Jae

Transcript: Jacob Rose

Learn more about Chad Smith

Learn more about MAESTRA

Learn more about MUSE

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.

Download the transcript: S5E11 Transcript

Season 5, Episode 11: International Journeys for Musicians with Rosanna Moore ’14E (MM) ’19E (DMA)

In this episode, IML Associate Director Blaire Koerner chats with Eastman alumna, English harpist, educator, and actor Dr. Rosanna Moore.  Moore talks about the challenges, opportunities, and suggestions for international musicians who aim to study and work in the United States. She will discuss the steps she took to gain her positions and visa status in America, such as becoming tenured second harpist at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, to the transition back over the pond and starting anew in yet another country as the recently appointed Assistant Lecturer in Harp at the Dublin Conservatoire at TU in Ireland.

Host: Jeff Dunn

Guest: Rosanna Moore ’14E (MM) ’19E (DMA)

Mixing, Mastering: Jacob Rose

Music: Will Jae

Artwork: Luke Juntunen

Transcript: Jacob Rose

Learn more about Rosanna Moore

University of Rochester International Services Office

US Department of State – Immigration

US Department of State – Visa Types

Contact Jeff with questions, comments, or ideas for new episodes.