In this episode we speak with Tokyo born, New York based Jazz violinist and composer about her new album, "Lingering," with pianist Kevin Hayes, how her conversion to Judaism has informed her life and music, her journey from Julliard to free ...

Happy New Year! We want our music making journey to be positive and comfortable, so we can express ourselves with freedom. Listen in as I chat with Jennifer Roig-Francolí, a professional violinist, certified Alexander Technique instructor, and the ...

Today we speak with violinist, educator, and Violin Class podcast creator and host Julia Reddy about making time for practice. We discuss how to ramp back up after a hiatus, how to make the most out of limited time, how to effectively divide up our ...

Today we chat with Grammy-nominated violinist Gabe Terracciano, who's expanding the range of the violin as a member of the Turtle Island String Quartet and the Hot Toddies Jazz Band, among other exciting projects. We hear about Gabe's transition from ...

The bow is a string player's primary "tool for tone," but like any tool, sometimes we need more than one to get the job done. In this episode we speak with historical bow maker Ralph Ashmead, learning all about the differences between Baroque, ...

In this episode, we talk to Rachael Ridge, an Indiana based violinist and violin teacher, and the creator of "The Adult Violin Academy," a self paced online, video based course geared towards adult learners and their unique needs. We discuss ...

Last summer I was honored to chat with Julia Reddy of the Violin Class podcast about life, music, managing our inner critics, improving our self-esteem, and the experience of starting over with technique and getting to the other side. The episode has ...

In this episode of The Violin Geek Podcast we speak with celebrated New England based fiddler and songwriter Lissa Schneckenburger, who's been helping students increase their confidence and improve their skills ...

In today's episode I speak with Asher Laub, a New York City based Classically trained violinist turned improvising DJ violinist, entertainer, producer, composer, and entrepreneur. We learn about how Asher has been able to chart a unique career path, ...

In this episode of the Violin Geek Podcast we speak with Maya Lorenzen, an Israeli/German violinist who has wrestled internal and external conflict to chart a career path and rediscover her passion for making beautiful, heartfelt music. She’s now helping ...

In this Violin Geek Podcast episode we hear from Maura Shawn Scanlin, a Boston, MA based Classical violinist and fiddler who is bridging musical worlds with incredible poise and grace. Her new album, "Counting Down the Hours," with her duo ...

In this episode of the Violin Geek Podcast we hear from Alexandr Kislitsyn, international violin soloist, chamber musician, educator, producer, and the newest member of the acclaimed Trio Casals. We learn about the trio's recent release, "A Grand ...

In my latest Violin Geek Podcast episode, I interview acclaimed viola soloist Brett Deubner, listening to and discussing choice tracks from his recent albums "Mother Earth" and "Transfiguration," learning about his experience working ...

If you're a musician, artist, dancer, or maybe a business owner, and you're looking to create more compelling videos, photos, performances, and presentations, listen in to this Violin Geek Podcast episode as Laurel Thomsen speaks with Justine Lucas, ...

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest co-host Dan Frechette, as well as special guests Cara Luft and Quiles & Cloud, as they share a variety of memorable stories from their experience on the road.

Learn more about Dan Frechette by visiting ...

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest co-host Dan Frechette, as well as special guest artists Boscoe's Brood and Toby Gray, as they share a variety of wacky, intense, and memorable stories from their time on the road.

Learn more about Dan Frechette ...

In this episode, host Laurel Thomsen shares a recent live interview with fiddler, vocalist, and recording artist Tania Elizabeth. Formerly a founding member of Canada's The Duhks, Tania now tours full time with the Avett Brothers as well as in a duo ...

Welcome to Part 2 of a series of interviews featuring fiddlers from Canada! This episode shares an interview with fiddle champion, educator, and recording artist Patti Kusturok. We talk about Patti's latest project, "365 Days of Fiddle Tunes" ...

Welcome to Part 1 of a series of interviews featuring fiddlers from Canada! Canadian fiddle music is a strong tradition and pulls from a wide variety of cultural heritages. This first episode shares an interview with dynamic fiddler, composer, and ...

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest Janet Horvath, cellist, musician's health advocate, and author of the book "Playing Less Hurt" as they explore topics of injury prevention for musicians.

Visit Janet online, order her book, and ...

Join host Laurel Thomsen and author/career consultant Angela Myles Beeching as they cover topics from Beeching's book "Beyond Talent", including tips for writing an engaging bio, negotiating bookings and asking for what you're worth, and ...

Join host Laurel Thomsen and violinist/author Hilary Orzel-McSherry as they talk about growing up in a family of musicians. They dispel some myths (no "starving musicians" here) and offer insight for those wanting to live a creative life ...

Join Laurel Thomsen and special guest Dr. Noa Kageyama, the Performance Psychology Professor at Julliard, for a talk on learning to become not just a better player, but a better performer. If you want to develop a successful pre-performance routine, ...

A tailpiece that can make your instrument sound better? While we've all experienced how different sting brands, different bows, and even rosin types can affect tone, everything else that goes into the instrument also makes a difference, including ...

In this episode of the Violin Geek Podcast join Laurel Thomsen and a special guest - fiddler and string teacher Lauren Rioux, for a chat about string teaching in the modern era. Lauren offers tips for keeping students engaged, teaching harmony, how ...

In this episode of the Violin Geek Podcast, join Laurel Thomsen and special guest artist and educator, Christian Howes, for a discussion on fostering creativity, the three key factors to consider for great improvisation chops, how creating set parameters ...

In this episode of the Violin Geek Podcast, join Laurel Thomsen and special guest, awesome fiddler Laura Cortese, as they discuss performing, learning to transmit meaning and emotion to an audience, tips for creating a groove, and how to sing and play ...