What's in this Episode

Wendy Cavett, Music Director for “Mamma Mia”, shares her secret to keeping each performance fresh.  Her path to Broadway was built on her abilities as a singer, dancer, performer, and pianist.  She talks about the different roles of contractors, music directors and the structure of administration between small vs. large productions. Explaining how a show starts from development to production she shares her role as an arranger and how she keeps her own career moving forward by challenging her own skills and technique with new projects.  

Links

http://www.wendybobbittcavett.com/home.html

What's in this Episode

Chris Reza, substitute Broadway multiple woodwind player, through his deliberate efforts in networking and his ability to play multiple instruments and styles, forged his own path to Broadway in less than a year after arriving in NYC!  He learned very quickly how to be successful in a tough business.  We talk about his process of networking, getting hired, practicing/learning, choosing instruments, time management skills, juggling many shows, and the struggle in learning new instruments.  He shares his various experiences of Broadway playing, the hours, arrangement of the orchestra in a pit or off stage, click tracks, using headphones, being a substitute Broadway musician, getting that one show permanent position and the secrets to his success.  

Links

http://www.chrisrezamusic.com/Home/Chris_Rez_Welcome.html

What's in this Episode

In the second part of the interview with Richard Adams he shares how his retirement lead him full circle with his career returning to his first creative talent, writing.  A sleeping talent of writing resurfaced once he left Manhattan School of Music after a 31 year tenure as an administrator.  He began studying playwriting and had his first premier of his one act play “The Treachery of Honesty”, which received eight performances at The Birdcage Theater in Northern California this year.  With a new focus on creating a career as a playwright he negotiates being student and three skills he uses in forging a new career.  

Links

https://www.facebook.com/richardelder.adams?fref=ts

What's in this Episode

Richard Adams shares his career path that lead him from being a creative writer, a French Horn orchestral player, music management, theater management, to a 31 year tenure at the Manhattan School of Music starting in the career planning office, later as Director of Admission, various Dean positions and finally Vice President.  As the founder of conservatory career training he speaks frankly about the skills that musicians need to cultivate to be successful in selling themselves and creating a music career.  Sharing how he instigated changes to the conservatory curriculum, how he managed the resistance along with these changes, and how this lead the way to innovations in conservatory education.  He talks about what it was like being an administrator, the skills he used, experience in hiring of new faculty, and how to negotiate the politics and culture.  

Links

https://www.facebook.com/richardelder.adams?fref=ts