Today you'll hear my interview with Jeffrey Biegel: Pianist, composer, arranger, professor and entrepreneur.

We talked about what it takes to create a major project and find buy-in from EVERYWHERE. About the importance of bringing new music into the world. About sharing the legacy of those who have come before and creating your own. This conversation was a delight! 

Jeffrey Biegel is a respected pianist of traditional repertoire, starting life nearly deaf. He studied with Adele Marcus and has built a career of old and new music. He created the first classical livestreams in 1997 and most recently, the first 50 state project free to orchestras celebrating America with Peter Boyer's "Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue". Mr. Biegel also recorded the critical edition of "Rhapsody in Blue", and composed "Three Reflections" of JFK, RBG and MLK. He has created over two dozen commissioning projects while simultaneously playing in the grand tradition of the piano, most notably reflective of Josef Lhevinne. 

Check out Jeffrey's website and follow him on Instagram! 

Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical! 

Theme music and audio editing by DreamVance.

You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode!

Or you could hop on a short call with me to brainstorm your next plan. 

I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!

I’ve had a few conversations recently with people about pricing, about raising the prices that you’re charging for your teaching or for your reeds, or for the coaching that you offer. And I’ve had conversations with people recently about choosing to monetize or not to monetize a skill or passion, a hobby that they have.

So I'm sharing some thoughts on this topic with you!

This episode is brought to you today by Happiest Musician Coaching. You are amazing, and I believe in you. What are you trying to create?  What do you need your career to be and do for you? What are you not seeing that you need to do and work on?  I love these conversations and supporting musicians like you. For a limited time, I'm offering a free 30-minute call to get you some clarity around your next steps, and see how I might help you get unstuck! 

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review! 

You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode!

I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!

Lullabies For Piano And Cello is a collection of instrumental works inspired by Icelandic folk songs. Accompanied by cellist Steiney Sigurðardóttir, the duo tracked the album in Reykjavik’s Eldborg Concert Hall. Following the implementation of choir, orchestra, and cinematic heft on 2022’s Solon Islandus, Gabríel made a conscious decision to strip the sound down to just these two instruments. As opposed to electronics, multi-tracking provided expansive flourishes. Together, Gabríel and Steiney unlocked a striking sound reliant on their quiet chemistry and a rich connection.

The 10-track album traces its origin to a famous collection of Icelandic melodies entitled Icelandic Folk Songs, which was unearthed by Gabríel at an antique bookshop in his home city of Reykjavik. Originally published in 1906, this out-of-print tome collated various folk numbers and lullabies with rare sheet music. Gabríel decided to not only reimagine five of the book’s tunes but to also pen five of his own lullabies as an homage to tradition.

“I have faith in the power of melody, and lullabies encapsulate both history and nostalgia,” says Gabríel.  “When I’m writing music, nostalgia is my favorite feeling to capture. It’s a complex emotion because it evokes both sadness and happiness at the same time. Lullabies are core musical memories for all of us, and with Lullabies for Piano and Cello I hope to unlock them for you.”

At just 24 years old, Gabríel responds to ancient Viking folk songs with the perspective of a postmodern Gen Z composer. By challenging himself to compose contemporary lullabies, he has explored his own fantasy world – a fantasy for his generation. And like all the best fantasy worlds, it is rooted in the history and mythology of his people, the Icelanders. After generating over 100 million streams for his original instrumental compositions and earning widespread international acclaim, Gabríel summons the spirit of timeless Icelandic lullabies with a twist of his own magic.

I loved talking with Gabriel because I learned A LOT. A lot about Icelandic history and linguistics. A lot about creating a brand new work with a sense of nostalgia. A lot about self-promotion and how having a record deal doesn't mean that all of your problems are over.  This was a fascinating conversation and I know you will enjoy it! 

This episode is brought to you today by Happiest Musician Coaching. You are amazing, and I believe in you. What are you trying to create?  What do you need your career to be and do for you? What are you not seeing that you need to do and work on?  I love these conversations and supporting musicians like you. For a limited time, I'm offering a free 30-minute call to get you some clarity around your next steps, and see how I might help you get unstuck! 

Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical! 

Theme music and audio editing by DreamVance.

You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode!

I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!

Do you ever feel like you are at the mercy of your work, or your teaching studio, or your business, and like the only time you can have for yourself is just IN THE CRACKS? 

You can do better than that. In today's minisode, we talk about taking agency in your schedule!

This episode is brought to you today by Happiest Musician Coaching. You are amazing, and I believe in you. What are you trying to create?  What do you need your career to be and do for you? What are you not seeing that you need to do and work on?  I love these conversations and supporting musicians like you. For a limited time, I'm offering a free 30-minute call to get you some clarity around your next steps, and see how I might help you get unstuck! 

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review! 

You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode!

I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!

Composer and educator Dr. Joseph Sowa writes music that revels in vivid colors and rich textures. His music has been performed by a wide spectrum of groups, from prestigious ensembles like the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Dal Niente, and the PRISM Quartet, to schools and churches across North America. His talent has earned him accolades from ASCAP, the American Prize, and the Barlow Endowment. 

 Joseph is also the founder of the Wizarding School for Composers, where he teaches both amateur and college-trained musicians how to compose memorable, goosebump-inducing music — and do it in a healthy, happy, and effective way.

 Joseph is brilliant. In this conversation he demystifies and de-stuffifies the art of composition, ALMOST making me believe that I too could do it. He's an INSPIRATION, and I know you will love this conversation! 

You'll hear him talking about an oboe project during the Fall 2023 cohort of the Wizarding School - that's a collaboration with my Invincible Oboist FLOW program!  WE will have oboe pieces written for US! If you are an adult oboist, and looking for a community of support and world-class mentorship that will INCLUDE a personalized composition? You might be very interested in my nine-month program and I encourage you to reach out to me now! 

But of course, I want to promote Joseph's Wizarding School here, and he's hosting events throughout August 2023 and you should absoutely check it out. 

Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical! 

Theme music and audio editing by DreamVance.

You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode!

Or you could hop on a short call with me to brainstorm your next plan. 

I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!