Minisode 10: Makiko Hirata

So How's That Going logo next to photo of Makiko Hirata smiling
 
As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this episode, we speak with Makiko Hirata, who has curated our final Next Up program of the 2021-22 Season. Her program will explore the life and music of Ernst Toch in historical context, performing pieces in chronological order with narration from Toch’s grandson, author Lawrence Weschler. The program begins with the Brahms and Mozart of Toch’s early days in Europe—before fleeing the influence of Nazi Germany—through Toch’s very last piano pieces written in Southern California in 1962.

The concert takes place in Thayer Hall on Thursday, May 12. Register for the concert.
 

Music in this Episode

JAMES STEPHENSON Celestial Suite for Brass Quintet
 V. Hawking
Jackson Prasifka, Horn
Diego Stine, Tuba
Gracie Potter, Trombone
Forrest Johnston, Trumpet
Tyler Norris, Trumpet
From Next Up: Celestial Suite, April 27

Minisode 09: Kyle Kremer

So How's That Going logo next to photo of Kyle Kremer smiling

As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this minisode, we talk to Kyle Kremer (Conservatory ’15) who has curated the upcoming program for the Next Up Series. His program is called Celestial Suite: Combining Music and Astronomy, which will feature a brass quintet from the Colburn Conservatory of Music along with Kyle’s narration and visual projections of the cosmos.

The concert takes place in Thayer Hall on Wednesday, April 27.

Register for the concert

Music in this Episode

MENDELSSOHN String Quartet No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 13
I. Adagio – Allegro vivace
Zi Yang Low, Violin
Blues Zhang, Violin
Haixin Wan, Viola
Angeline Kiang, Cello
From the Music Academy Young Artist Performance, March 19

RACHMANINOFF Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos in C Major, Op. 17
III. Romance
Daniel Wang, Piano 1
Ukki Sachedina, Piano 2
From the Music Academy Young Artist Performance, February 12

Minisode 08: Evin Blomberg

So How's That Going logo next to photo of Evin Blomberg smiling
 
As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this minisode, we talk to Evin Blomberg (Conservatory ’15). Evin curated a program that features solo violin repertoire by Kreisler, Ysaÿe, Marsalis, and Bach. The beautifully rendered solo performance is her inspired answer to the isolated realities brought on by the pandemic.

The concert takes place virtually on March 17.

Register for the concert
 

Music in this Episode

KREISLER Recitativo und Scherzo-Caprice, Op.6

BACH Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004
 V. Chaconne

Episode 06: Samuel Melnikov

Samuel Melnikov
 
In this episode, we spoke with ballet dancer Samuel Melnikov. After studying in the Dance Academy from 2014 to 2017, Sam joined the New York City Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2020.
 
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Music in this Episode

BACH Suite for Violin and Harpsichord in A Major, BWV 1025
Kako Miura (Conservatory ’19), Violin
Ian Pritchard, Harpsichord

DEBUSSY Afternoon of a Faun
Martha Chan, Flute
Wei Pan, Clarinet
Kristina Annamukhamedova, Piano

Minisode 07: Kako Miura

So How's That Going logo next to photo of Kako Miura smiling and playing violin outside
 
As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this minisode, we talk to Kako Miura (Conservatory ’19), who curated our first in-person program, To Be Bach or Not To Be Bach, which paints a picture of the musical world in which the composer lived.

The concert takes place in Thayer Hall on Thursday, December 9.

Register for the concert
 
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Music in this Episode

BACH Suite in G Major, BVW 1007
Benjamin Chilton, Viola

Minisode 06: Ryan Davis

Ryan Davis with So How's That Going logo
 
As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this minisode, we talk to Ryan Davis (Conservatory ’19), who curated the first Next Up concert of the year, Chromatophores, which will premiere on Thursday, October 14.

Register for the concert
 
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Music in this Episode

RYAN DAVIS: “Colour You Like”

Minisode 05: Maya Paredes

Black and white photo of Maya Paredes next to So How's That Going wordmark
 
As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this minisode, we talk to Community School alum Maya Paredes, who curated the fifth and final program, Modern and Popular Music Jukebox, which premiered Saturday, May 29, 2021.
 
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Minisode 04: Alicia Lee

So How's That Going logo next to Alicia Lee smiling and holding a clarinet
 
As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this minisode, we talk to Conservatory alum Alicia Lee, who curated the fourth program, Styles and Textures for Solo Clarinet, which premieres Saturday, May 8.

Register for the concert
Read more about the program
 
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Episode 05: Kris Bowers

Kris Bowers
 
In this episode, Emmy Award-winning composer, jazz pianist, and Community School alumnus Kris Bowers talks about his remarkable 2020, his family’s unwavering support of his music from a young age, and the changing landscape of the music industry.
 
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Links and Resources

Kris Bowers’ Official Website
A Concerto is a Conversation
Kris Bowers and Ben Proudfoot In Conversation
 

Music in this Episode

Kris Bowers: SUMMON (2019), an L.A. Contemporary Dance Company film

Minisode 03: Eric Byers

Eric Byers
 
As part of Colburn’s Next Up Series, which showcases alumni, we’re speaking with the alumni curators of each program and sharing these conversations as minisodes. In this minisode, we talk to Conservatory alum Eric Byers, who curated the third program, Retrouvé, which premieres Saturday, April 10.
 
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Music in this Episode from the Next Up Concert:

ROBERT SCHUMANN Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
MARIN MARAIS Voix Humaines