American Masters
Filming for this documentary started many years ago (2016) but the director unfortunately passed away unexpectedly (2018) and then it was reimagined by Susan (bringing life back into the project). MTT is responsible for so many careers (and much more) and you can learn all about it here: http://pbs.org/americanmasters “Where…
Journal Entry: Läc Quartet
When you join a quartet as a young student you have no idea the journey you’ve signed up for. Your major milestones in life can suddenly irrevocably be binded to a group of individuals that you hardly know. YOU SHARE EVERYTHING. You shape the most influential years of each other's…
In Charge: Blake-Anthony Johnson takes lessons learned at Blair to the boardroom in Chicago
In Charge: Blake-Anthony Johnson takes lessons learned at Blair to the boardroom in Chicago Taking over an orchestra in the midst of a global pandemic might seem like a Herculean task. Most classical ensembles, after all, have gone silent due to COVID-19. Overcoming daunting challenges is routine for Blake-Anthony Johnson,…
Diversity Drives Chicago Sinfonietta’s Mission of Inclusion
Diversity Drives Chicago Sinfonietta's Mission of Inclusion The Chicago Sinfonietta is already different than most orchestras. Over a third of its musicians are people of color, 58 percent of its board of directors are people of color, and the conductor is female. Now the Sinfonietta’s new CEO is African American.…
How the Chicago Sinfonietta put inclusion in its DNA
More than 35 percent of the Sinfonietta is staffed by musicians of color, and over 45 percent of those are women, according to the organization. Similarly, the Sinfonietta audience on average is 46 percent people of color – specifically 37 percent African American, 5 percent Latino and 4 percent Asian.…
Chicago Sinfonietta announces new CEO
Chicago Sinfonietta announces new CEO Johnson, most recently the Louisville Orchestra’s director of learning & community, previously has worked with the New World Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and other organizations. An alumnus of the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, Cleveland State University and the Manhattan School of Music,…
Just Announced! LEADers
Announcing the second cohort of Sphinx LEADers! Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts & Diversity) is entering its second year and we are thrilled to announce the incoming cohort of LEADers. BLAKE-ANTHONY JOHNSON Louisville Orchestra Bio Blake-Anthony Johnson is a cellist, arts administrator, and educator based out of Louisville, Kentucky…
100 days of practice- Hillary Hahn
I've been a huge fan of Hillary Hahn since I was a teenager! Making music with her on stage has been a true pleasure for me, so I'm excited to have another way to connect with her essence. I've always been fascinated by Hillary Hahn's 100 days of practice campaign…
Summer, 2019
“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” -Robert Louis Stevenson
Iberacademy-Reflection
Traveling to another country is always an exhilarating experience, however teaching in a foreign environment is invaluable. In my efforts to provide the history and traditions passed on to me from my own teachers from around the world, I was allowed to achieve a higher level of craftsmanship in my…