Catching up with returning guest Kevin Fitzgerald :)Make sure you check out or revisit my interview with Kevin in Season 2 when we talked about audition preparation and navigating the business:https://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/s2e7/ANDhttps://theconductorspodcast.com/podcast/s2e8/All About Chaowen Ting

Five key preparation factors for competitions (and as a good conductor in general!)1. Know the score inside out2. Have (form and be very firm) your own opinion about the music3. Have enough techniques to deliver your ideas4. Keep a high energy and engage musicians at all times5. Develop problem solving skills - rehearsal techniques, interruptions from the jury, being asked to do a piece you are less good atAll About Chaowen Ting

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on May 6, 2024. The session was moderated by my colleague Dr. Janet Kim, and our panelists were:Arianne Abela, Director of the Choral Program, Amherst CollegeMaria A. Ellis, the Girl ConductorAmanda Hanzlik, Director of Choirs, E.O. Smith High School; President - Elect, ACDA Eastern RegionLiana Salinas, Artistic Director, Miami Children's ChorusIf you missed my interview with Maria A. Ellis in Season 1 Episode 2 where I interviewed...

Very happy to welcome Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, the winner of the 2022 La Maestra Competition in Paris, where I was a quarter-finalist. Anna and I talked about her experience after the competition, her growth and challenges, and what she has learned in her journey. This interview was recorded in May 2024 when Anna was expecting her daughter and we wish her and her family a wonderful start of this new chapter.Learn more about Anna: https://annasulkowskamigon.com/All About Chaowen Ting

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on May 3, 2024. The panelists of the sessions were:Juhi Bensal, composer, conductor, and educatorJoanna Drimatis, Music Director and Chief Conductor, Beecroft OrchestraKatie LaBrie, composer, conductor, and educatorAll About Chaowen Ting

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on April 28, 2024. The panelists of the sessions were:Marta Gardolinska, Music Director, Opera national de LorraineStephanie Rhodes Russell, Founder, Women’s Artistic Leadership Initiative; Guest Conductor, Wolf Trap Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Washington National OperaMichelle Rofrano, Artistic Director, PROTESTRA; Guest Conductor, Madison Opera, City Lyric Opera, Curtis Institute of MusicIf you missed my interview with Michelle Rofr...

I've always thought that I wasn't a good competition type of conductor, until I realized that I actually convinced myself that I wasn't good in a certain area so I didn't need to continue improving myself.From 2022, I entered La Maestra Competition in Paris, won the 3rd Prize at Kussewitzky Competition 2023 and 2nd Prize at the Mendelssohn Competition 2024. In this season's episodes, I will be sharing more what I've learned in my journey.But before that, my thoughts on conducting competitions...

I finally had the pleasure to meet and speak with Dr. Andrea Brown, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Maryland. Previously served as director of orchestra and assistant director of bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and assistant director of bands at the University of Michigan, we spoke about her experience as a conductor and the founder of “Women Rising to the Podium.”All About Chaowen Ting

Live recording from an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Panel Discussion on April 3, 2024. The panelists of the sessions were:𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹, 2024 Sphinx Medal of Excellence & former Assistant Conductor, Memphis Symphony𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗶 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗼, Dudamel Fellow, LA Philharmonic; Associate Conductor, North Carolina Symphony𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮, Assistant Conductor & Diversity Fellow, Buffalo Philharmonic𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗫𝗶𝗮, Associate Conductor, Seattle SymphonyIf you missed my interview with Kalena Bovell in Season 1 Ep...

My first in person interview for the podcast with conductor Chloé Dufresne, recorded on February 23, 2024 when she visited Atlanta through the Villa Albertine artist residence program with the French Consulate in Atlanta. We talked about her conducting training, experiences with American and European orchestras, and current and upcoming projects.Learn more about Chloé: https://www.chloedufresne.com/All About Chaowen Ting

Based on my experiences teaching conducting workshops and participating in competitions, the three biggest mistakes are:1. Worrying so much about the ensemble problems when you are the one causing the problems.2. Only concerned about your conducting, your vision of the music and fail to connect with musicians. 3. Thinking that it’s only about conducting - how about your leadership styles, interpersonal skills, and the way you present yourself?All About Chaowen Ting

Welcome back to season 3 of The Conductor’s Podcast. In this season I will be sharing things I’ve learned this past year, my experiences participating in competitions, interviews with some new and old friends, and live recordings of several Girls Who Conduct webinars!All About Chaowen Ting

Last week I spoke with Karen on Marketing for Musicians, and we discussed boundaries and showing your uniqueness to the world, and understand who you are serving. In today's conversation, I spoke with Karen about another part of her specialty - career coach, and dig into how people have different definitions of success, and to find the answers from within. Karen Cubides is the passionate and engaging founder and CEO of the Karen Cubides Agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her holistic...

Today's episode is a must listen for musicians as we learn marketing for ourselves, create opportunities and put ourselves out there for business! Karen Cubides is the passionate and engaging founder and CEO of the Karen Cubides Agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her holistic approach to coaching her clients allows her to serve a wide range of well-established musicians and young professionals alike in unique and personal ways. Through her intimate understanding of the relationship...

Conducting auditions are something that's hard to navigate as each organization and ensemble does look for different things, but no one would disqualify a good conductor! Typically, an audition for an assistant conductor would be only 10-15 minutes, while a music director audition might be a full rehearsal (2-3 hour), or even a concert cycle consisting 4-6 rehearsals, depending on the ensemble's schedule. My objective of all conducting auditions is to share my musical ideas with the ensemble...

Today’s episode is the second half of my conversation with a long-time friend, Kevin Fitzgerald, current Associate Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony. Last week we spoke about preparing for job applications and auditions, and today we will continue the conversation and hear all the behind the scene stories of navigating the business. As 2021 Tanglewood Music Center Conducting Fellow and four-time recipient of Career Assistance Grants from The Solti Foundation U.S., Kevin Fitzgerald is at...

In today's episode, you will hear the first half of my conversation with a long-time friend, Kevin Fitzgerald, current Associate Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony. We went way back to my years at the Eastman School of Music, and it's such a pleasure to speak with him on the topic of preparing for job applications and auditions. As 2021 Tanglewood Music Center Conducting Fellow and four-time recipient of Career Assistance Grants from The Solti Foundation U.S., Kevin Fitzgerald is at the...

Should I enter a graduate program? Look for jobs? Go to masterclasses? Those are some questions that I got asked the most. For us conductors, we have to create our own curriculum, our own path, and to make decisions all the time. In today's episode, I will share with you three main factors to consider when figuring out "what's next:" YOUR MUSICIANSHIPYou have to be a good conductor, and that includes your techniques and your knowledge. Your being a good conductor is the most important thing...

Last week I spoke with social media guru Nicole Riccardo about how musicians can create a meaningful online community through social media. She generously provided a lot of tips and suggestions for my listeners. When we talk about marketing, curating an image of our own for the world, it's unavoidable to discuss one's brand. Are you struggling with defining your "brand" or finding your "niche"? What are some possible ways we can market ourselves better through our social media presences and...

I am not a person who is naturally good at social media - when I say I'm an introvert, many people would seem surprised, but I am really awkward starting a conversation with strangers. Flutist turned digital marketer, Nicole Riccardo, the Founder & President of NR Media was introduced to me through a common flutist friend years ago when I was just naively debating whether I should learn more about social media and started to cultivate an online profile. In today's episode, you will hear...

Diversity Statement has become a more and more frequently asked application material. No matter you are applying for a music directorship or an educational role, the organization very often is interested in knowing your vision on diversity, inclusion, and equity.   Feeling stuck as a straight white man (or anything else)? No worries, let me show you how to kill your diversity vision, and how to revive it.   Best Ways to Kill Your Diversity Statement: Claiming that "I have a friend /...

Zoom Interviews are now more common since Covid - and organizations are often skipping the traditional phone interview and conduct a zoom interview for shortlisted candidates instead. If you've had unsuccessful zoom interviews in the past, you want to do a quick self-check and see if you've got it right, and know the purpose of the interview: to obtain enough interest in order advance to the next round   Some Zoom Interview Setting Tips from my friend Tim Verville: Set up a nice corner with...

As the largest body of an orchestra, it's always great to have a string sectional to unify style, articulation, and even phrasing. If you are not a string player yourself, what are the mistakes to avoid when leading a string sectional? Instead of: Get stuck in bowing discussionsNot knowing your termsGive instructions on bowing or fingering Do this: Always have a set of bowings marked in the part before distributing them Describe the sounds you wantLet the principals / concertmaster...