Mari Esabel Valverde is an award-winning composer of choral music and among the leading voices in American choral composition today.  In addition to instructing high schoolers in classical voice, she has specialized in working with transgender vocalists like herself.  In this episode, you'll hear Mari tell host Khadija Mbowe about how she learned to overcome self-doubt, why "respect" is a trap, and why she loves icy people as much as she loves icy weather.

Chapters:

[01:53] Identifying opportunities for progress
[04:31] Unpacking the term "Latinx," and low representation in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
[07:45] Early musical influences: Gameboy, Linda Ronstadt, and Debussy, oh my!
[11:40] The correlation between weather and personality
[15:10] Teaching herself and others to unlearn shame
[21:25] Why Mari doesn't care for the word “respect"
[24:15] Building and breaking trust
[27:53]  Parting advice
[30:58] Lightning round

Music from this episode:

"Winter Ride" (2018)
"A Winter Ride" by Amy Lowell.
Performed by the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco (iocsf.org), conducted by Zane Fiala (premiere recording).

"El triste león" (2019) from Canciones del pasado
Traditional/Folk text from the San Luis Valley, Colorado and New Mexico compiled in Canciones del pasado Copyright © 1967 by Ruth Marie Colville. Used with permission of the author.
Performed by tenor Matthew Valverde, pianist Randy Macy, and violinist Sarah Off.

"Our Phoenix" (2015)
Excerpts from "Our Dangerous Sweetness" © 2012 Amir Rabiyah (https://www.amirrabiyah.com/). Used with permission of the author.

Disclaimer: This audio is courtesy of St. Olaf College and is used by permission. Performed by St. Olaf Chapel Choir, conducted by Tesfa Wondemagegnehu (https://www.tesfawon.com/) assisted by pianist Will Rand and trumpeter Nathan Lyle.

Links from this episode:
Mari's website: https://marivalverde.com/

American Choral Directors Association: https://acda.org/

Kat Blaque: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxFWzKZa74SyAqpJyVlG5Ew

St. Olaf College: https://wp.stolaf.edu/

Dr. Anton Armstrong: https://www.stolaf.edu/profile/armstron

"Canciones de mi padre" (yes, Linda Ronstadt has Mexican heritage): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAk7IkKs5T4

Golden Sun soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLd6EKWjRZM

Bob the Drag Queen: https://www.instagram.com/bobthedragqueen/?hl=en

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s HearTOGETHER series is generously supported by lead corporate sponsor Accordant Advisors. Additional major support has been provided by the Otto Haas Charitable Trust.