Podcasts by Is it Recess Yet? Confessions of a Former Child Prodigy

"Why 'perfect' isn't interesting." A Chat with Jennifer Fawcett, playwright, fiction writer, and doula. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.335739

NOTE: This interview happened in the aftermath of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's testimony at the Kavanaugh hearings.

In my conversation with playwright, fiction writer, and doula, Jennifer ...

"Asians are both the 'model minority' and an invisible minority": Creating space for conversations about racism against East Asians in classical music. A Chat with Mina Yang, pianist, professor, and writer. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.286520

In my conversation with pianist, professor, and writer, Mina Yang, we discuss the complicated experiences of racism against East Asians in Classical Music and in the dominant culture, how Western C...

"The belief that perfection equals worthiness is the biggest struggle of my life.": PART TWO of A Chat with Dr. Sarah Carter, physician, cellist, writer, and former child prodigy. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.282151

In Part Two of my conversation with physician, cellist, writer, and former child prodigy, Dr. Sarah Carter, we discuss the classical music culture's resistance to talking about vulnerability, burno...

"How long should it take to get over someone?" Musings on love in the time of Covid-19: A flash essay on heartbreak, ghosting, and why it's so hard to let go. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.279796

Here's another short essay, this time about ghosting, heartbreak, and ambiguous loss.

Mai Der Vang: "I have to be twice as good to be given access, to be heard." A chat with award-winning writer, Mai Der Vang, about being the child of Hmong immigrants; the challenges of being a female, P.O.C. artist; and why we must trust our own creative impulses. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.276481

In this conversation that took place shortly before the pandemic and shelter-in-place order, award-winning writer Mai Der Vang and I discuss why failure is always a way to build resilience; the bur...

Korean Love: The Untranslatable Concept of "Jung." A micro-essay/love letter to my Korean mother. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.275714

On the Mother's Day in the pandemic, many of us are far away from our mothers. Here is a micro-essay/love letter to my mother about why, for many Koreans, "I love you" doesn't always mean having to...

Celia Hatton: “You have to speak up and take up space.” A chat with violist Celia Hatton about microaggressions, implicit bias, and institutional racism in classical music and beyond. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.272309

In this conversation with violist Celia Hatton, we discuss racism, implicit bias and microaggressions; the illusion of meritocracy in classical music; beauty standards; institutional racism and whi...

Blair McMillen: "It's okay to be vulnerable." A chat with pianist Blair McMillen, about performance anxiety, perfectionism, and why process is more important than product. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.201409

In this conversation with pianist Blair McMillen, we discuss how to manage stage fright and performance anxiety; why being a part-time musician can be a healthy option; why we should talk openly ab...

Byron Au Yong: "Counteract the hate." A chat with composer Byron Au Yong, about how Western Classical music is not the only music in the world and the "healing powers of music." from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.199863

In my conversation with composer Byron Au Yong, we discuss why writing well "is a power";  his childhood experiences with bullying and how music was a "shield"; the importance of affinity groups an...

Karen Rile: "You can actually change your life very quickly." A chat with writer Karen Rile, about parenting, flexibility, and how deliberate practice yields huge results. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.198053

In my conversation with writer Karen Rile, we discuss her experience of parenting four artistic children and her interest in musicians; how flexibility and creative courage led to her founding Clea...

Rev. D. Maurice Charles. "To resist absurdity is to live." On why "you don't have to feel what someone else feels to do the right thing" and creating a society that makes space for all of us. from 2022-02-22T00:41:04.196338

In my conversation with the Rev. D. Maurice Charles, the first African American chaplain at the University of Chicago, he shares how he was called to the ministry; his family heritage of slavery an...

Five Ways to Unstuck Your Writing and Get Started Faster from 2021-09-22T14:11:07

Wanna unstuck your writing?

Sometimes, the hardest part is getting started. We get overwhelmed by self doubt and too many (or too few) ideas as we sit, staring at the blank page. 

Listen

The One Question I Never Thought I’d Have to Answer (and Why it Frustrates the Heck Outta Me) from 2021-09-15T13:50:03

“So….do you still play the violin?”

Learn why this question is so annoying and how we can learn to reinvent ourselves, despite our early training.

Jennifer Fawcett. "Perfect isn't interesting." On Imposter Syndrome and why we should "keep going and do it anyway." from 2021-01-24T05:00

Do you struggle with Imposter Syndrome?

Today, we revisit a chat from 2019 with my friend, playwright and fiction writer, Jennifer Fawcett, where we talk about: how do we give ourselves "p...

Miki-Sophia Cloud. "Why am I doing this?" On the importance of great mentors and choosing to find joy and purpose in music. from 2020-12-13T11:00

I'm excited to revisit the very first episode of the "Is it Recess Yet?" podcast, from 2018. My dear friend and colleague, the wonderful violinist and human, Miki-Sophia Cloud, graciously agreed to...

Dr. Noa Kageyama. "Focus on growth." On growth mindset versus fixed mindset and what we can learn from making music. from 2020-11-29T11:00

Check out my 2018 podcast interview with performance psychologist, Noa Kageyama, where we learn what he meant at age 2 when he said "oa wike mugas"; what it was like to studying with Mr. Suzuki him...

Kenji Bunch: "The willingness to fail in public is so important." A chat with composer and musician Kenji Bunch, about taking creative risks, being a bi-racial Asian kid, and saying "yes" to everything. from 2020-10-25T10:00

In my conversation with composer and musician Kenji Bunch, we discuss the value of listening to all music with respect and curiosity; why he draws parallels between his eclectic approach to music a...

Byron Au Yong, PART 2: "Shouting comes from having no choice." A chat with composer Byron Au Yong, about activism, representation, and why we can't avoid our painful experiences. from 2020-09-20T10:00:20

In my conversation with composer Byron Au Yong, we discuss his works, "Stuck Elevator," "The Ones," and "Activist Songbook," a trilogy that addresses what Americans fear and ways out of oppression;...

Augusta Read Thomas: "Music is so much bigger." A chat with composer Augusta Read Thomas, about the importance of "breaking down every wall" and composing for beatboxer, Nicole Paris. from 2020-08-23T10:00:08

In my conversation with composer Augusta Read Thomas, she expresses her heartfelt support of Black Lives Matter; her empathy for the performer in her compositions; why the music profession should b...

Sean Wang: "My quietness was misunderstood as an act of defiance." A chat with violinist, conductor, and scholar, Sean Wang, about the burden of assimilation, microaggressions, and the "bamboo ceiling" in classical music. from 2020-07-19T15:55:09

In this conversation with violinist, conductor, and scholar, Sean Wang, we discuss the implicit bias Asians experience in white culture; the burden of assimilation placed on immigrants to adjust th...

Tricia Park performs "Ferdinand the Bull," the children's storybook classic, for solo violin and speaker (story by Munro Leaf and music by Alan Ridout). from 2020-06-27T15:01:14

Today's special episode features "Ferdinand the Bull" from the beloved children's book “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson. Tricia Park performs the version fo...

Dr. Nadine Kelly: "I am an eclectic, nerdy black woman who is a late bloomer." A chat with Dr. Nadine Kelly, retired pathologist and yoga instructor about leaving medicine to follow her happiness and why we need to be nicer to ourselves. from 2020-05-23T10:00:11

In this conversation with retired pathologist and yoga instructor, Dr. Nadine Kelly, we discuss how she decided to pivot from her career as a physician to becoming a yoga instructor who specializes...

Shannon Wilkinson: "You are valuable because you exist." A chat with life coach, Shannon Wilkinson, about when perfectionism becomes toxic; why "taking a breath" improves our ability to problem-solve; and why cultivating your creative courage may be the best thing you can do for your career right now. from 2020-05-16T10:00:07

In this conversation with life coach, Shannon Wilkinson, we discuss how we turn to perfectionism to protect ourselves and "stay in the tribe"; how perfectionists may be struggling acutely with the ...

"It's a weird time to try to reinvent yourself." A chat with Nick Photinos, innovative cellist and founding member of Eighth Blackbird, about career transformation and the importance of preserving our mental health during this time of pandemic. from 2020-04-25T10:00:06

In my candid conversation with innovative cellist and founding member of Eighth Blackbird, Nick Photinos, we discuss career transformation during the pandemic; how we attach our sense of worthiness...

"Don't beat yourself up." A chat with Alexandra DiPalma, audio producer, editor, consultant and teacher, about pushing past perfection and why we really shouldn't put pressure on ourselves right now. from 2020-04-17T11:00:07

In my conversation with audio producer, editor, consultant and teacher, Alexandra DiPalma, we discuss how podcasting can help you push past perfectionism and get your voice heard; Alex's hit podcas...

"Confused and scared is better than meaningless." A chat with Mike Block, pioneering cello player, singer, composer, and educator, about taking creative risks and why we shouldn't wait to pursue our interests. from 2020-04-10T10:00:08

In my conversation with pioneering cello player, singer, composer, and educator, Mike Block, we discuss how his creative frustrations within classical music led him to pursue non-classical styles; ...

"We didn't think, 'we're gonna master virtual rehearsing and share it with the world.'": A Chat about virtual rehearsing and the Covid-19 pandemic with Laura Usiskin, cellist, educator, entrepreneur, and member of the Bayberry String Quartet from 2020-03-27T11:00:04

In my conversation with performer, educator, entrepreneur, and cellist of the Bayberry String Quartet, Laura Usiskin, we discuss how the Coronavirus pandemic has affected the performing arts; the B...

"You play the violin?" A 5-minute essay about "gigging" life, unfair speeding tickets, and the unexpected turn. from 2020-03-20T11:00:11

I’ve been taking this amazing Live Lit class with the great Ian Belknap, here in Chicago and of course, the class has come to a halt, due to the Coronavirus pandemic (weird words to be typing). So,...

"In the depths of major depression, I realized I'd lived my whole life in someone else's dream.": PART ONE of A Chat with Dr. Sarah Carter, physician, cellist, writer, and former child prodigy. from 2020-02-28T12:00:16

In my conversation with physician, cellist, writer, and former child prodigy, Dr. Sarah Carter, we discuss the "classical music machine" and how it overwhelms young people and their families; how h...

"The most important skill is connecting with people": Why connection is the most valuable skill. A Chat with Assaff Weisman, pianist, teacher, and Executive Director of the Israeli Chamber Project. from 2020-02-14T12:00:37

In my conversation with pianist, teacher, and administrator, Assaff Weisman, we discuss the importance of early teachers; the entrepreneurship required of a modern classical musician's career; and ...

"The child of Korean immigrants, living in the in-between space": An excerpt from my work-in-progress, LUNCH BOX, about food, mothers and daughters, identity, microagressions, representation, and one kind of Asian American experience. from 2020-01-31T12:00:05

I saw a bag of Gochujang Potato Chips from Whole Foods and I was thrown back in time to my childhood, when my mother made me impeccable Korean meals that I took to school in my Hello Kitty lunch bo...

"The crisis of perfectionism in classical music": Why a career is much more about the people than playing well. A Chat with Rebecca Fischer, violinist, writer, and educator. from 2020-01-17T12:00:10

In my conversation with violinist, educator, and writer, Rebecca Fischer, we discuss the challenges of maintaining boundaries, interpersonal health, and compassion within a string quartet; how we d...

"'Zero f**ks given': Why vulnerability is the most important thing." A Chat with Zach Brock, jazz violinist, composer, and member of Snarky Puppy from 2019-08-25T18:21:59

In my conversation with jazz violinist, Zach Brock, we talk about his musical upbringing and how he straddles the line between classical training and improvisation.

"We are human beings not human doings." A Chat with Morgane Michael, host and producer of Kindsight 101 from 2019-01-17T19:35

In my interview with Morgane Michael, host and producer of Kindsight 101, we discuss why kindness gets a bad rap; the research that shows how kindness and compassion actually increase creativity an...

"Growing Up Prodigies: The Mid-Life Crisis" A Chat with Prof. Jeanne Bamberger from 2018-12-30T18:48

In my interview with Professor Jeanne Bamberger, we discuss her article entitled “Growing Up Prodigies: The Mid-Life Crisis”; her experiences as a former child prodigy and the challenges she faced ...

BONUS EPISODE: "What if there isn't a 'winner'?" Bonus Chat with Performance Psychologist Noa Kageyama from 2018-08-11T15:15

In this BONUS TRACK interview with performance psychologist, Noa Kageyama, listen to Noa “coach” me in my post-interview performance evaluation! In this super meta moment, we have a 'behind the s...

"Is it too late?" A Chat with Performance Psychologist Noa Kageyama from 2018-08-11T04:35

In my interview with performance psychologist, Noa Kageyama, we learn what he meant at age 2 when he said "oa wike mugas"; what it was like to studying with Mr. Suzuki himself in Japan as a little ...

"Why am I doing this?" A Chat with Violinist Miki-Sophia Cloud from 2018-08-11T04:04

In my interview with violinist Miki-Sophia Cloud, we talk about her former life as a strolling ‘gypsy violinist’; playing by ear versus playing from sheet music; her musical studies and mentors at ...

Trailer: Is it Recess Yet? Confessions of a Former Child Prodigy from 2018-08-11T03:05

Is it Recess Yet? Confessions of a Former Child Prodigy is about concert violinist Tricia Park's years as a child prodigy and her quest to evolve beyond that identity. Get an insider’s look into t...

Trailer: Is it Recess Yet? Confessions of a Former Child Prodigy from 2018-08-11T03:05

Hi, I’m Tricia. I play the violin.

Maybe you started down a path, early in your life, and you thought you were following your bliss. But then found yourself wondering...“is this it?”

Trailer: Is it Recess Yet? Confessions of a Former Child Prodigy from 2018-08-11T03:05

Hi, I’m Tricia. I play the violin.

Maybe you started down a path, early in your life, and you thought you were following your bliss. But then found yourself wondering...“is this it?”