Creative Strings with Violinist Christian Howes

Latest Episodes:

Showing up and serving your community with Dr. Quinton Morris Nov 09, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of the Creative Strings Podcast, Chris talks to educator and violinist, Dr. Quinton Morris about his non-profit work, Key to Change, entrepreneurship, and combating racism in classical music.

https://www.keytochangestudio.org/

(01:15) Teaching students to be entrepreneurs

(3:24) Harvard business school

(5:28) Key to change

(9:19) Why do so many people fail at doing what you've been able to succeed at?

(12:27) Understand the business

(15:25) Barriers to being able to serve underserved youth

(19:29) Talk to the community and always show up

(25:10) Being more human in our interactions

(29:39) Classical music’s defensiveness

(33:14) Raising money for your non-profit

(39:35) What can teachers without a non-profit do to help?

(44:38) Relational vs Transactional

(50:33) Combating racism in classical music

(55:20) Unmute the Voices

(1:00:07) Wrap up

Resourcing tuition-free string teaching programs w/ Violinist/Pastor John "Adidam" Littlejohn Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

John "Adidam" Littlejohn shares how he resources his high-level tuition-free string camp www.stringbootcamp.com and how he balances/approaches life as a minister, educator, and violinist. 00:00 Intro 00:52 Thrive City String Bootcamp 05:39 Advanced seminar 11:04 Origins of camp 14:09 Teaching in inner-city schools 15:50 Where to apply 19:41 Instructors and space 25:12 Inspiration 26:53 Being a pastor and musician 31:20 Music is ministry 33:00 Day-to-day life 34:41 Putting in the time and effort 38:27 Entrepreneurship and God 42:55 What can a non-believer learn from faith? 47:17 Get outside yourself 50:54 Looking for ways to help others 52:44 Closing

Opportunities for Musicians to Thrive in the Health Space with Aaron Colverson Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, Chris talks to violinist and PhD-candidate Aaron Colverson about his musical journey and areas where musicians can impact the health space.

00:00 Intro

01:14 Opportunities for musicians in the health space

04:55 Are there ways of getting involved in music in a therapeutic sense and get paid?

10:19 How to get in touch with Aaron

11:45 Road from performance to academia

12:59 Moving to Kenya

16:57 You have to spend the time to figure out who you are in the music space

18:18 How does a musician afford a masters program

19:29 Relationships are more important than a CV

21:17 How have you matured in perspective?

25:27 How can we feel comfortable enough with ourselves to keep asking for the gig?

30:29 How can you overcome the pressure of comparing yourself to others?

32:38 Reframing your approach

37:23 Importance of empathy

41:50 Identity introvert vs extrovert

45:24 Closing

The Role of Artists in War; How One Ukrainian Violinist Copes & Supports His Country Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

Violinist Kostia Lukyniuk shares his perspective from Ukraine.

Find the full show notes here: https://christianhowes.com/2022/03/04/creative-strings-podcast-episode-49-the-role-of-artists-during-war-with-ukranian-violinist-kostia-lukyniuk/

Ukrainian-born Kostia Lukyniuk is an accomplished soloist and chamber musician with a multi-genre approach to violin playing. He made his solo debut in 2009 with the Chernivtsi Philharmonic Orchestra after winning 1st Prize in the International Youth Music Competition. Since then, he has won various other musical competitions and performed concerts and solo recitals throughout his home country of Ukraine and neighboring countries Romania, Russia, and Czech Republic.

Follow Kostia:

https://www.kostiaviolin.com/

Instagram: @kostia_violin

TikTok: @kostiaviolin

Facebook: @kostia.violin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw1fK9mtTrQZX5JqWsqsNVQ

Kostia asked that we provide this link for people around the world to support Ukraine: https://quip.com/SxBaALA94uQf/Ukraine-at-War

Electric Violin Pioneer Karen Briggs and the Music of Edgar Redmond. Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

In this special interview, the legendary pioneering violinist Karen Briggs shares how she has approached her incredible career- and there are so many great stories she shares. Also, we’ll hear new recordings of music composed by Michael Redmond’s father, Edgar Redmond. Edgar Redmond was a composer ahead of his time who wrote Jazz and Blues for string ensembles plus rhythm section, as well as for full orchestra. Michael has commissioned these new recordings, some of which feature Karen Briggs as a soloist. And very importantly, orchestras and orchestra programs will want to buy this music to perform. Additional Notes: Orchestral Suite, “Transition in Black” conducted by Zoltán Pad Evidence & listing of Edgar Redmond having “Transition in Black” world premiered and performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in 1973 at the Music Center in L.A. with Zubin Mehta as conductor: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1214466 ASTA Article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/000313137102100311 https://www.flashcardmachine.com/jazz4.html Transition in Black: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hx3WlWHW-VRjthFATj9az5YX7VzktKCX/view?usp=sharing Edgar Redmond Supplemental Materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E3hbQsOnSWbk2oh0XwDQvpb6VMl2ot2W/view?usp=sharing Website: https://www.edredmondmusic.com/

Balancing Musical Goals and incorporating creativity in the Orchestra Classroom with Austin Scelzo Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

How to teach more to your students without burning out? How to prioritize your own musical goals without sacrificing too much of your time. The key is a Flexible mindset and Creative strategies to get the balance you want. Austin Scelzo is an exemplar of a young person taking courageous steps in that direction- making moves in his music and career and contributing in huge ways to his communities along the way. Violinist and teacher Austin Scelzo talks with Chris about the innovations he made in the classroom, how he’s balanced his competing desires to be a teacher and performer, the transition from working for a school to working for himself, and how he’s taken on such a range of musical goals.

How to Become a More Confident & Happy Musician Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

5 ways to help improve your relationship with music and the thing at the core of it all. Get my free masterclass at www.christianhowes.com/education

Teaching Adult Violin Students With Marlene Cruz Lozano Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

Marlene Cruz Lozano shares insights for adult violin students and teachers. Her Violin Bootcamp centers adult women violin students, their goals, and needs.

Mindful Practice with Caleigh Drane & William Seiji Marsh Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

Join us with Guest Speakers Caleigh Drane & William Seiji Marsh as we discuss how to conquer your stage fright and better achieve your musical goals through mindfulness and mindful practice.

Fiddler Casey Driessen on Collaboration, Rhythm, and Drawing Musical Language from Otherlands Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

Fiddlers Casey Driessen and Christian Howes discuss extensive clips from Casey’s album Otherlands. We talk about chopping/rhythm, and other aspects of musical collaboration for fiddlers and string players who want to expand their creative voice, musical community, and career or lifestyle. We play a tune together as well in this hour-long interview. Find more at www.christianhowes.com

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