Rise Up Chorus Presents "Meet the Musicians"

hosted by Matthew LaPine

Join host Matthew LaPine (Founder and Artistic Director of Rise Up Chorus) as he takes a journey through the life stories of incredible musicians, both professional and amateur. Each episode is a conversation with an active musician telling the most compelling story of all: the journey of their life! Everyone has a story -- join us for the adventure! read less
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Episodes

Episode 14: Meet Brandon Waddles
May 8 2021
Episode 14: Meet Brandon Waddles
In this episode, Helen Kernizan, the Youth Chorus Director of Rise Up Chorus, guest hosts "Meet the Musicians". This is the 14th episode of "Meet the Musicians" and the fourth episode in our series that delves into issues surrounding race with professional, classical musicians and music educators of color. In this episode, Helen interviews the Brandon Waddles, a vibrant musician who is a respected singer, conductor, and composer.Brandon’s choral compositions and arrangements have been published and performed by choral ensembles around the world, including the Morehouse College and University of Michigan Glee Clubs, Oakwood Aeolians, Westminster Choir, Brigham Young University Singers and the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir. In 2019, he was awarded as the inaugural recipient of the ACDA Diverse Voices Collaborative Grant. In addition, he has worked as a transcriber of Black gospel music for numerous choral octavos, hymnals and hymnal supplements published by GIA, including his recent work as a contributing editor for the One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism hymnal. Brandon recently released Just In Case You’ve Forgotten, the first selected compendium of works by the late Thomas Whitfield, the subject of his dissertation. Brandon has been blessed to work with a diverse array of musicians including Dalton Baldwin, Martin Katz, Angela Brown, George Shirley, Donnie Ray Albert, Vinson Cole, Fred Hammond, Kathy Taylor, Anita Wilson and Chrystal Rucker. Recently serving as Music Director for Grammy-nominated recording artist Ledisi, he has collaborated with the celebrated singer on multiple occasions, including her Nina & Me concert series and LEDISI: THE LEGEND OF LITTLE GIRL BLUE show-run at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.Dr. Waddles holds professional memberships with the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc.
Episode 12: Meet Elisabeth Stevens
Apr 13 2021
Episode 12: Meet Elisabeth Stevens
We again welcome our guest host Helen Kernizan, the Youth Chorus Director of Rise Up Chorus, to "Meet the Musicians". This is the 12th episode of "Meet the Musicians" and the third episode in our series that delves into issues surrounding race with professional, classical musicians and music educators of color. In this episode, Helen interviews the incredible Elisabeth (Lis) Stevens, a classically-trained singer and educator. Elisabeth “Lis” Stevens @iamlisastefani, founder and Principal teaching artist at Studio LIS Voice brings a combined level of knowledge and experience that few can boast. Her performance credits include the Metropolitan Opera, Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Teatro Verdi di Sassari, and other world stages in Italy, France, China, Austria and across the US.  2020 saw the launch of her innovative Quarantine Sing! Program @studiolisvoice to support singing artists in cultivating a calm mind, a peaceful spirit and renewed energy and commitment to the voice and career through the pandemic and beyond. The program offers singers the opportunity to study intensely and perform for international audiences through digital platforms, while also singing in masterclasses for industry professionals including artist managers, conductors, and opera administrators.  In addition to teaching and singing, Ms. Stevens is the author of Perfect Practice: A Journal for Singers (@perfect.practice.singing on Instagram), published in 2020 . This exciting tool will help singers develop and maintain healthy practice habits that will advance their technique and artistry beyond the studio, making them independent, consistent, confident artists. Order your copy of Perfect Practice at http://perfectpractice.studiolisvoice.com @perfect.practice.singing on Instagram. Learn more about Studio LIS’s programs and apply for upcoming opportunities at www.studiolisvoice.com "Meet the Musicians" is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.
Episode 10: Meet Carrie Compere
Mar 13 2021
Episode 10: Meet Carrie Compere
In this tenth episode of "Meet the Musicians" Podcast, our host Matthew LaPine again welcomes our guest host, Helen Kernizan, who continues our series of conversations discussing the issues of race with professional, classical musicians and music educators of color. Helen is Rise Up Chorus’s Youth Chorus Director, and she teaches music at the Township of Ocean Intermediate School in Ocean Township, NJ.Born in Southern California and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Carrie Compere attended Trenton public schools and graduated from Trenton Central High School. She briefly attended Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, NJ.She began acting professionally in 2010 and has both stage and TV/Film experience. A few productions include:Broadway:The Color PurpleHoller If Ya Hear MeOff-Broadway:DaddySistas the Musical.1st National Tour:The Color PurpleShrek the MusicalFilm/TV“Many Saints of Newark” (2020)“Dead Men Tell No Lies” (2020)“The Crew” (Netflix)“City On A Hill” (Showtime)“Manifest” (NBC)“New Amsterdam” (NBC)“Seven Seconds” (Netflix)“NYC 22” (CBS)“Show Boat: Live at Lincoln Center” (PBS)Carrie is a wife of 22 years to her husband, Jerry, and a mother of their two children, Isaiah and Pneuma. Carrie continues to work as an actor but her most important job and commitment remains that of a wife and mother.Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.
Episode 7: Meet Eric Whitacre
Jan 30 2021
Episode 7: Meet Eric Whitacre
In this seventh episode of "Meet the Musicians" Podcast, host Matthew LaPine sits down with one of the world’s leading composers whose music has changed the face of choral music, Eric Whitacre. Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor, Eric Whitacre, is among today’s most popular musicians. His works are programmed worldwide and his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united singers from more than 145 countries over the last decade. Born in Nevada in 1970, Eric is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School of Music (New York). He completed his second term as Artist in Residence with the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 2020 having served five years as Composer in Residence at the University of Cambridge (UK). His compositions have been widely recorded and his debut album as a conductor on Universal, Light and Gold, went straight to the top of the charts, earning a Grammy. As a guest conductor he has drawn capacity audiences to concerts with many of the world’s leading orchestras and choirs in venues from Carnegie Hall (New York) to the Royal Albert Hall (London). Insatiably curious and a lover of all types of music, Eric has worked with legendary Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, as well as British pop icons Laura Mvula, Imogen Heap and Annie Lennox. In 2018 his composition, Deep Field, became the foundation for a pioneering collaboration with NASA, the Space Telescope Science Institute, Music Productions and film-makers 59 Productions. His long- form work The Sacred Veil, a profound meditation on love, life and loss, was premiered by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by the composer, and released on Signum Records in 2020. His collaboration with Spitfire Audio resulted in a trail-blazing vocal sample library, became an instant best-seller and is used by composers the world-over. A charismatic speaker, Eric Whitacre has given keynote addresses for TED, Apple, Google, the United Nations Speaker’s Program, in education and for numerous global institutions. "Meet the Musicians" Podcast is produced by Rise Up Chorus, a community chorus organization whose mission is to bring the community together and enrich lives through musical experiences. For more information about Rise Up Chorus, visit us online at www.riseupchorus.org.
Episode 5: Meet Jeriel Johnson
Dec 26 2020
Episode 5: Meet Jeriel Johnson
In this fifth episode, Matt has a conversation with Jeriel Johnson, the Executive Director of the Recording Academy™ Washington, D.C. Chapter, responsible for overseeing Membership & Industry Relations for D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. Jeriel is also Executive Sponsor of the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective, an advisory group of esteemed artists and industry executives dedicated to the inclusion, recognition and advancement of Black Music and its creators and professionals within the Academy and music industry at-large. A native of Philadelphia and an accomplished drummer, Jeriel received a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music, and after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business & Management he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the music business. Prior to assuming the role of ED of the D.C. Chapter, Jeriel served as Head of Urban Music at the Recording Academy, where he oversaw the awards process for the R&B, Rap, and Reggae categories for the GRAMMY Awards®. Prior to the Academy, Jeriel held leadership roles at NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Records and The Walt Disney Company. A 2018 Prince George’s County, Maryland 40 Under 40 honoree, Jeriel has also been featured in Billboard Magazine, Berklee Today Magazine and Music Industry Quarterly. He has served as a guest lecturer at the American Dramatic School for the Arts in Los Angeles, University of Maryland, and has produced and/or moderated panels at Essence Festival, SXSW, BET Week, Roots Picnic, Urban Network Conference, The Worship & Arts Summit, The NSO, and The GRAMMY Museum on topics ranging from the state of Hip Hop & R&B to Mental Health & Addiction in those music communities. Jeriel is a servant leader, sharp administrator and skilled relationship builder with a knack for curating innovative programs at the intersection of art and life, while his advancedmusicianship has earned him high praise and trust from artists and executives. Jeriel believes we must “lift as we climb” and is committed to supporting the next generation of musicians and industry leaders. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.Program funded by Middlesex County, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.