Podcasts by Skip the Repeat
"Skip the Repeat" is a podcast hosted by pianist Kai Talim. It features long form conversations with friends and guests who are the artists, musicians, and creatives at the forefront of their respective fields.
Further podcasts by Kai Talim
Podcast on the topic Darstellende Kunst
All episodes
REINVENTORS: Ellen Yin, Healthcare Administrator To Restauranteur from 2021-07-20T23:06:15
Ellen Yin didn’t always love food. As a child in New Jersey, she was more into McDonald’s than her mom’s cooking. But when she did discover the magic of restaurants and the food they ...
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REINVENTORS: Alex Beyer, Pianist To Navy Pilot from 2021-06-03T16:41:40
When I met Alex Beyer in 2010 at a piano competition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we struck up a conversation about his passion for soccer and his dream of becoming a NASA astronaut. Sinc...
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REINVENTORS: Megan Moore, Opera Singer To Arts Advocate from 2021-05-24T10:00
Megan Moore now tells students she speaks to, that a career doesn’t begin once they’ve won a job, competition, or role - it starts the moment they walk into music school. As an artist...
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REINVENTORS: Katherine Balch, Aspiring Historian To Composer from 2021-04-20T22:22:03
As a senior in high school, Katherine Balch focused on applying to dual degree programs, so she could study music and something else. She refused to pigeonhole herself into a career t...
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REINVENTORS: Marcos Espinoza, Construction Estimator To Beef Jerky Maker from 2021-04-13T22:46:52
When Side Project Jerky was launched almost ten years ago, it was meant to be exactly that - a side project. Working as a construction estimator, Marcos Espinoza saw the beef jerky bu...
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REINVENTORS: Keegan Fong, Marketing Manager To Restauranteur from 2021-03-31T00:30:33
This episode begins with a reflection on what has been happening in this country in the wake of the murders in Atlanta and the sharp increase in hate crimes against Asian people.
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REINVENTORS: John Geating, Aspiring Navy Pilot To Woodworker from 2021-03-17T00:36:52
In high school, John Geating was dead set on becoming a Navy pilot. But because of a medical disqualification, he was forced to drastically alter his path. Through his numerous pivots...
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REINVENTORS: Jason Sturgill, Record Label Founder To Illustrator from 2021-03-09T23:40:07
Friendships have been the most important aspect of opening doors for Jason Sturgill. From founding a record label, to a stint in telemarketing, to working at one of the big names in t...
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REINVENTORS: Steven Banks, Saxophonist To Advocate For Diversity from 2021-03-03T02:15:06
Steven Banks always felt that he was alone. As a classical saxophonist, no one looked like him or had a similar background - a fact that left him with what felt like a huge responsibi...
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REINVENTORS: Jeannine A. Cook, Educator To Activist&Bookshop Owner from 2021-02-23T21:30
As a nineteen year old college student, Jeannine A. Cook became pregnant. Initially fearing that her life and dreams were over, she eventually rose to meet those challenges, graduatin...
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REINVENTORS: Emily&Brian Kellett, Designer/Teacher To Plant Shop Owners from 2021-02-16T22:59:10
Emily and Brian Kellett first met through friends in Columbus, OH - she was a student studying industrial design and he worked as a freelance designer for a local brewery. Now married...
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REINVENTORS: Vikram Nayar, Investment Banker To Hard Seltzer Entrepreneur from 2021-02-09T23:42:21
When Vikram Nayar was working in finance, he had no idea that entrepreneurship in the beverage industry was his future. In fact, he had no idea what hard seltzer was - he just knew he...
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REINVENTORS: Ryan Fitzgerald, Screen Printer To Ice Cream Maker from 2021-02-02T20:17:56
Ryan Fitzgerald is a man of many many pivots. And through it all, he’s leaned on two things - a sense of adventure and the belief in himself to figure it out. From screen printing to ...
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REINVENTORS: DW Burnett, Jazz Drummer To Automotive Photographer from 2021-01-26T23:15:56
DW Burnett had no idea that his epic road trip from Brooklyn to LA in a Mustang GT would literally change his life. Starting his professional career gigging around NYC as a drummer, h...
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REINVENTORS: Julia Bullock, Opera Singer To Activist from 2021-01-19T22:52:33
Through her meteoric rise in the world of music, Julia Bullock’s ultimate mission has been to share openly, share transparently, and share clearly. As one of the brightest opera singe...
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REINVENTORS: Jim Walls, Forklift Operator To Creative Director from 2021-01-13T00:33:38
When Jim Walls graduated college, he had no idea that he would one day become a creative director or that he would even work in the advertising industry. He also had no idea that his ...
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REINVENTORS: BJ Miller, Art Historian To Palliative Care Physician from 2021-01-06T00:00
BJ Miller attended Princeton with the mindset of learning for learning’s sake, without a specific career in mind. That mindset has served him well through his numerous pivots, includi...
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REINVENTORS: Yunice Kang, Photo Producer To Plant Designer from 2020-12-23T01:48:24
Yunice Kang has never had a career trajectory that she chased or a dream job. Initially studying business, she dropped out after realizing that it wasn’t for her, eventually discoveri...
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REINVENTORS: Gurcharan Roopra, Engineer to Wildlife Photographer from 2020-12-15T23:52:32
Gurcharan Roopra never went to school for photography. He never imagined that it would become a big part of his life, let alone that he would become world famous for wildlife photogra...
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REINVENTORS: Tova du Plessis, Pre-Med Student to Pastry Chef from 2020-12-01T23:10:28
Tova du Plessis came from South Africa to the United States for an education, pursuing a dream of becoming a doctor. But upon landing in NYC, she quickly found out that life in Americ...
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REINVENTORS: Carol Gardner, Creative Director to CEO from 2020-11-25T00:00
While working as a creative director in San Francisco with a beautiful family, Carol Gardner led the dream life. But after going through a traumatic divorce, she was left broken and i...
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REINVENTORS: Lucia Liu, Chocolatier to Podcast Host from 2020-11-18T00:00
Lucia Liu grew up in many different places and, as she puts it, was raised “free-range.” Attending the University of Pennsylvania without an expectation to become any particular thing...
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REINVENTORS: Jeremy Turner, Cellist to Composer from 2020-11-10T22:58:13
As a budding young cellist, Jeremy Turner dreamed of playing in the greatest orchestras in the world. As a senior at The Juilliard School, he accomplished just that: becoming the youn...
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How Essential Self Belief And Patience Have Been To My Journey: Heather Marold Thomason - Founder&Butcher, Primal Supply Meats from 2020-07-22T00:00
This is Part Two of my conversation with Heather Marold Thomason. Heather and I talk about what she went through the first time she slaughtered an animal (2:30), the mind-blowing statistic of ho...
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How I Completely Reinvented Myself: Heather Marold Thomason - Founder&Butcher, Primal Supply Meats from 2020-07-14T22:00
Heather Marold Thomason leaps first and thinks later. Heather and Kai talk about her previous life as a dancer and graphic designer (3:40), burning out in college (10:40), and how becoming frien...
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Be A Part Of A Movement: Danielle Eva Schwob, Composer&Performer from 2020-07-07T22:00
Danielle Eva Schwob loves listening to whole albums. Danielle and Kai talk about being the most adventurously dressed kid in school (3:30), what kept her going through tough times during her fir...
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Having Confidence And Tolerance: JJ Kirkpatrick - Trumpeter/Composer/Producer from 2020-06-30T22:00
JJ Kirkpatrick loves to work out on traveling rings. In this episode recorded two weeks ago, JJ and Kai talk about his fantastic new single, Ultraviolet (6), the hidden virtuosity of pop music (...
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The Tip Of The Iceberg: Gabríel Ólafs - Pianist from 2020-06-23T23:30
Gabríel Ólafs loves living in Reykjavík, Iceland. Gabríel and Kai talk about his upbringing (9), Listen
The Barista Champion: How Coffee Can Become Something That Matters from 2020-06-13T23:47
Jobs in the coffee industry are meant to be temporary. So the saying goes. But that doesn’t have to be true. In this episode, we talk with Andrea Allen, 2020 U.S. Barista Champion and...
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The Crew: Who Are Baristas? from 2020-06-13T23:42:49
Baristas are integral to our specialty coffee experience. But who are baristas? Why did they choose to become baristas? And what do they love about specialty coffee? In this episode, ...
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The Coffee Nerds: What Makes Specialty Coffee Special? from 2020-06-04T01:02:12
Specialty coffee is special, right? In the coffee community, the answer tends to be an enthusiastic "yes." But what makes it so special? In this episode, we talk with Dave Wong and Al...
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First Memories: How We Are Buying More Than Coffee Beans from 2020-06-04T00:10
When we buy a bag of coffee, many of us only see the beans. But to Justin Kagan, owner and roaster of Badbeard's Microroastery in Portland, OR, it's much more than that. For Justin, coffee is ab...
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Start Moving: Gabriela Lena Frank - Composer&Gardener from 2020-05-27T00:00
Gabriela Lena Frank is also a beekeeper. Gabriela and Kai talk about her Creative Academy and the initiative GigThruCovid19 (4:20), the hate crime that happened to her on the way to New Mexico a...
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Assume Nothing, Expect Anything: Casey Wojtalewicz - Co-Founder of Canyon Coffee&Drummer from 2020-05-19T23:30
Casey Wojtalewicz initially didn't want to move to LA. Casey and Kai talk about being a Peace Studies major in college (9:40), how he became a touring musician once he moved (14:20), and how he ...
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Catharsis Through A Side Project: Anna Phoebe&Aisling Brouwer - Cinematic Instrumental Duo AVAWAVES from 2020-05-12T23:30
Anna Phoebe and Aisling Brouwer changed directions from politics and law. We talk about how this quarantine is going for two touring musicians (6:15), the effect their families had on them growi...
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Being Open To Possibilities: Zsolt Bognár - Pianist&Host of "Living the Classical Life" from 2020-05-05T23:30
Zsolt Bognár adores the city of Cleveland. Zsolt and Kai talk about why Cleveland doesn't suck (4:26), how his show came about from an attempt to make a professional website (30:30), and the hil...
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Being Alive To The Moment: Vijay Iyer - Composer-Pianist&Professor of the Arts, Harvard University from 2020-04-29T00:00
Vijay Iyer didn't know his life could be in music until he was 23. Vijay and Kai talk about watching his parents build an Indian community for themselves while living in a largely white city (6:...
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Without That Challenge, It's Kind Of Dull: Joan Tower - Composer, Professor of Music at Bard College from 2020-04-22T00:00
Joan Tower loves dancing. Joan and Kai talk about how growing up in Bolivia was the best thing that happened to her (4:50), the importance of having a sense of urgency (17:07), and her first ter...
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How I Got After It: Micah Wilkinson - Principal Trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 2020-04-15T00:30
Micah Wilkinson roasts his own coffee. Micah and Kai talk about the value of live performances (10:20), the similarities between professional orchestral musicians and professional athletes (15:2...
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A Blind Date With A Hundred People At The Same Time: Joshua Weilerstein - Conductor, Host of the "Sticky Notes" Podcast from 2020-04-08T01:05:45
Joshua Weilerstein has two pet rabbits. Joshua and Kai talk about how carrots are like donuts for rabbits (4:48), growing up with superstar cellist Alisa Weilerstein (12:18), and balancing respe...
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One Of The Reasons To Care Is To Wonder If We Should Care: Annie Dorsen - Theater Director&Writer from 2020-04-01T00:16:54
Annie Dorsen applied to the Yale School of Drama on a whim. Annie and Kai talk about being the daughter of one of the most prominent civil rights attorneys of our time (3:45), feeling lucky to n...
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I Don't Know, I Just Did It: Toby Appel - Violist, Chef, Juilliard School Professor from 2020-03-24T23:33:02
Toby Appel was actually Kai's very first guest on Skip the Repeat. Toby and Kai talk about growing up on a chicken farm in New Jersey (12:12), quitting high school and the Curtis Institute of Mu...
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Bring Out Your Suck: David Krauss - Principal Trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra from 2020-03-10T21:49:05
David Krauss is obsessed with espresso. David and Kai talk about what kept him going during the three years of college when he wasn't making much progress (16:15), becoming a father at the age o...
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Creating Magic Out Of What Some Consider Trash: Thu Pham - Co-Owner&Head Roaster of Càphê Roasters from 2020-03-04T00:36:21
Thu Pham loves slow jams. Thu and Kai talk about her family coming from Vietnam as refugees (3:18), how she found the educational organization 12PLUS and how it gave her life a purpose (27:20), ...
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We Have Nothing To Lose: Joep Beving - Composer&Pianist from 2020-02-26T01:00
Joep Beving is very, very tall. Joep and Kai talk about how he spent one year in music school before he quit (6:40); the growing sense of alienation he felt from reality and how his friend's dea...
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How to Create Win-Win Situations: Anthony Roth Costanzo - Opera Singer&Producer from 2020-02-18T16:36:21
Anthony Roth Costanzo loves hosting people for dinner. Anthony and Kai talk about his fitness company, Epulse (6:20), the insane story of how he became the first non-Asian person to perform in J...
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What My Kids Have Taught Me About Writing: Kirsten Kaschock - Author from 2020-02-12T02:59:14
Kirsten Kaschock loves helping her students find their path. Kirsten and Kai talk about the enormous student debt issue (12), how being an artist is directly connected to self-education (16), an...
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Think: What Is Success To You?: Daniel Kellogg - Composer&President of Young Concert Artists from 2020-02-04T16:19:20
Daniel Kellogg loves time-lapses. Daniel and Kai talk about his friendship with Chris Brubeck, son of legendary jazz pianist Dave Brubeck (9), how he ended up at the Curtis Institute of Music (2...
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You Don't Think I'm Doing The Right Thing? Well I do: Paola Prestini - Composer, Co-Founder/Artistic Director of National Sawdust from 2020-01-28T16:00
Paola Prestini loves to box. Paola and Kai discuss the time she applied to Interlochen, a boarding school far from home, without telling her mom (12:05), struggling in her 20s to figure out how ...
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What I Gained From Punk: Maria Shaplin - Lighting Designer from 2020-01-21T16:30
Maria Shaplin never thought lighting design could be a career. Maria and Kai talk about being part of the punk movement and what she gained from it (6:50), what made her stay in theatre after a ...
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Growing Faith Through Hip Hop Dance: Kyle Clark&Dinita Clark - Choreographers and Dancers from 2020-01-14T16:30
Kyle Clark and Dinita Clark are the founders of Just Sole! Street Dance Theater Company. They discuss with Kai how they were introduced to dancing through Saturday morning house cleaning (5:30),...
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Rapping is My Way of Talking Back: Miyachi - Rapper from 2019-12-25T04:29:31
Miyachi is trained in classical piano. Miyachi and Kai discuss his transition from classical piano to hip hop (3:30), being from the Upper West Side and what that means (8:25), and how his rough...
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Notice the Signs Around You and Take the Leap: Shannon Maldonado - Founder&Owner of YOWIE from 2019-12-17T16:30
Shannon Maldonado is a Cancerian. Shannon and Kai talk about how she put pressure on herself to succeed from an early age (14:25), how losing her first job at Tommy Hilfiger almost immediately a...
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Changing the Narrative of Vietnam Through Movies: Tony Bui - Film Director from 2019-12-10T16:30
Tony Bui loves classical music. Tony and Kai talk about growing up in Silicon Valley and how his father's video stores ignited his passion for film (8), how his first trip back to Vietnam change...
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LIVE episode! Randall Goosby - Violinist from 2019-12-03T18:54:09
Randall Goosby is half black, half Korean. Randall and Kai talk about his love for Halloween candy (6), their respective mothers' surprising connection (7), and how meeting his mentor Itzhak Per...
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I Love What You Do, How Can I Help?: Andrew Yee - Cellist of the Attacca Quartet from 2019-11-26T16:00
Andrew Yee makes beautiful latte art. Andrew and Kai talk about being half Chinese and their family history (1); Andrew's mom's hearing loss and being able to play music for her (3:40); and how ...
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The Pilot Light That Never Went Out: Emily Ting - Filmmaker from 2019-11-12T16:30
Emily Ting knows lots about plush toys. Emily and Kai talk about her mother's decision to come to the States and bring her kids (6:11), the decisions that led her to film school (13:50), and the...
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The Key to Fulfillment is Right Under Your Nose: Michele Lockhart - Founder&CEO, Nosh Bars from 2019-10-22T16:05:53
Michele Lockhart loves to ski. Michele and Kai discuss working as a civil and environmental engineer and feeling stuck (9), how much Michael Pollan's works have influenced her life (10:10), and ...
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Trust Yourself, Something Else Will Come Out of It: J'Nai Bridges - Mezzo Soprano from 2019-10-15T19:36:08
J'Nai Bridges can still ball out on the court. J'Nai and Kai talk about being from the beautiful Pacific Northwest (3), how basketball was at the center of her life growing up (7:28), and the in...
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The Power of Knowing: John Holiday - Countertenor from 2019-10-08T15:55:32
John Holiday knows he is supposed to be a good human being. John and Kai discuss how the church was a big part of his upbringing (10:02), how his grandmother influenced his style and personhood ...
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You Are More Than Enough: Daniela Mack - Mezzo-Soprano from 2019-10-01T18:29:26
Daniela Mack does not do backup plans. Daniela and Kai talk about her being Argentine American (4:20), what made her go to Louisiana State University, perhaps not the most famous school for oper...
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You Owe It To Yourself To Believe: Cheryl&Kyra Ellzysmith - Owners of Loyalty Leather from 2019-09-24T19:33:59
Cheryl and Kyra adore their Great Dane, Beau. They talk to Kai about what brought them to Philadelphia (2:40), the fantastic story of how they first met on New Year's Eve (7:50), and how being g...
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Living The No Bullshit Life: Conor Hanick - Pianist from 2019-09-17T19:29:09
Conor Hanick studied Chemistry and English in college. Conor and Kai discuss growing up in Iowa City (2:30), what went through his mind that led to him deciding to focus on music (5:00), and the...
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What To Do With People's Expectations: Joshua Roman - Cellist from 2019-09-17T19:20:02
Joshua Roman just came back from a silent meditation retreat. Joshua and Kai discuss why he went and what he learned (1:30), what he's noticed about people since he's been back (5:30), and what ...
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Rolling With It: Noreen Murdock - Executive Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic from 2019-08-27T16:45:20
Noreen Murdock runs everyday at 5:30AM. Noreen and Kai talk about her most recent adventure in Scotland (1:07), how she gets her running in every day (17:22), and the most challenging thing lead...
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Resiliency and Improvement Every Rehearsal: David Hattner - Musical Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic from 2019-08-20T12:00
David Hattner is a big fan of The Beatles' newly remastered, "Sgt. Pepper". David and Kai discuss his advice for graduating seniors in his orchestra (13:25), the challenges in having a high turn...
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Chipping Away: Lori Lindsey - Former US Women's National Soccer Team Player&Studio Analyst for the Philadelphia Union from 2019-08-13T13:49:13
Lori Lindsey loves malted milk balls. Lori and Kai talk about how important this year's World Cup win was for the United States (1:58), her brief foray into Hollywood and how being away from soc...
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Putting Things in Perspective: Timothy Chooi - Violinist from 2019-08-06T15:00
Timmy Chooi is a very proud Canadian. Timmy and Kai discuss what Canada means to him (7), what it's like inside Finals week at the Queen Elisabeth Competition (23), and how he really felt after ...
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Owing Much to Stubbornness: Ken Kubota - Cellist, Founder&Producer of JHM Jams from 2019-07-30T15:00
Ken Kubota takes promises very seriously. Ken and Kai discuss the tumultuous start to his life as a Juilliard student (15:45), how JHM Jams went from a class project to his dream and self-therap...
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The Literal Five Minute Key to Productivity: Sumire Hirotsuru - Violinist, Writer, Social Entrepreneur from 2019-07-23T15:00
Sumire Hirotsuru never imagined she'd write a book, and yet, here we are. Sumire and Kai talk about how her life has changed since the book's release to rave reviews in Japan (2:55), the unexpec...
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Stop and Consider What Actually Matters: Alex Torra - Co-Founder&Resident Director of Theatre Group "Team Sunshine Performance Corporation" from 2019-07-19T14:37:05
Alex Torra is Cuban. He's also an adopted Venezuelan. Alex and Kai discuss the origins of his powerful twenty four year undertaking, "The Sincerity Project" (1:40), being repulsed by power plays...
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Driven By the Desire to Give and To Learn: Andrew Ousley - Founder&President of Unison Media from 2019-05-14T15:30
To say that Andrew Ousley is a fan of Maria Callas would be a grave understatement. Andrew and Kai talk about the powerful influence his parents have had on him (7), choosing a major ...
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Bodybuilding&Helping the Youth: Joseph Conyers - Assistant Principal Bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra&Executive Director of Project 440 from 2019-05-07T15:22:39
Joseph Conyers is obsessed with winter storms. Joe and Kai talk about bodybuilding and the benefits of working out (1:30), growing up around the church and how spirituality plays into his life n...
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Yoga&Meditation for Happier Music-Making: Elena Urioste - Violinist&Co-Founder of Intermission from 2019-04-30T15:27:02
Elena Urioste is a big fan of cats. Elena and Kai talk about the time she may have accidentally stolen a cat (6:22), how yoga became an integral part of her life ...
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Viktor Valkov - Pianist&Assistant Professor at the University of Utah from 2019-04-23T15:30
Viktor Valkov loves rock music and EDM. Viktor and Kai discuss him being in a rock band in Bulgaria (9:40), what life in America has meant to him (10:50), and what he has learnt about himself th...
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Lawrence Brownlee - Operatic Tenor from 2019-04-16T15:30
Lawrence Brownlee is a big time Ohio State Buckeyes fan. Lawrence and Kai talk about whether singing gospel music influenced his operatic singing (7:40), how the world's obsession with body imag...
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Matt Dine - Freelance Culture Photographer for The New York Times&Principal Oboist of American Ballet Theatre from 2019-04-09T15:30
Matt Dine comes from a family of artists. Matt and Kai talk about what made him fall in love with the oboe (11), the episode that changed his life (26:40), and how he found his second career (31...
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Dan Visconti - Composer&Artistic Director of Astral Artists and Fifth House Ensemble from 2019-04-02T15:30
Dan Visconti is a composer, but he did not know that when he entered college. Dan talks to Kai about his weird path as an artist (13:50), what he learned from working jobs alongside h...
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Don't give up THE dream, but build your competencies so you can pursue MANY dreams: Gerald Klickstein, Author of The Musician's Way from 2019-03-26T15:30
Gerald Klickstein believes in change. Gerald and Kai discuss the moment he realized he could make a difference in higher education (7:30), his ideas for what students, especially in undergrad, s...
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Bella Hristova - Violinist from 2019-03-19T15:30
Bella Hristova used to be a gamer. Bella and Kai discuss her time playing World of Warcraft (1:45), what Bulgaria is like (13:40), and her relationship with her mentor, Ida Kavafian (26). They a...
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Bruce Adolphe - Composer, Educator, Author from 2019-02-26T16:30
Bruce Adolphe can dance. Bruce and Kai discuss losing both his parents by the age of nineteen and how that affected him (9:30), how his foray into neuroscience ha...
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Julia Rubio - Executive Director of Astral Artists from 2019-02-19T16:30
Julia Rubio's last name means "blond" in Spanish, but she is neither blond nor Spanish. Julia and Kai discuss her upbringing in Kalamazoo, Michigan, near Ann Arbo...
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Zlatomir Fung - Cellist from 2019-02-12T16:30
Zlatomir Fung is a big time cinema fan. Zlatomir and Kai discuss his upbringing, including his time in Oregon (3), what he has learned about himself from doing co...
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Donald Nally - Conductor of The Crossing from 2019-02-05T17:00
Donald Nally believes in the power of counseling. Donald and Kai discuss how important transferring to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music was for him (11:50), t...
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Stephen Tyson Jr. - Rapper, Educator, Co-Founder of JusListen Entertainment from 2019-01-29T17:00
Stephen Tyson Jr. aka Ellect, has it on good authority that the Earth is indeed round. Stephen and Kai discuss growing up in rural Pennsylvania (6), how being the...
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Tim Mead - Counter-Tenor from 2019-01-22T17:19:02
Tim Mead is a proud ginger. Tim and Kai discuss how he began singing (9:40), why he doesn’t keep in touch with anyone he met before the age of 19 (11:30), and his...
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Anne Ishii - Executive Director of Asian Arts Initiative&Owner of Massive Goods from 2018-12-24T14:00
Anne Ishii is fluent in French. Anne and Kai discover they share a rare background story (8:23), and talk about her experience growing up as an Asian American wit...
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Crawl Forward from 2018-12-21T18:24:06
When our purpose is taken from us, how do we move forward? In this week's short story from a past Skip the Repeat guest, Raphael Xavier, Breaker/Dancer & Multifaceted Artist, tells us the story ...
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The Skivvies - NYC Undie Rock Duo from 2018-12-18T16:56:41
The Skivvies are a band made up of singers/actors/musicians Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley. They perform stripped down mashups of covers and originals in their underwear. They talk to Kai about ...
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Celebrate Yourself from 2018-12-14T19:10:36
Yes, you read that right. In this week's short story from a past Skip the Repeat guest, Jennifer Montone, Principal Horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra, tells the story of how as a society, there...
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David Devan - General Director&President of Opera Philadelphia from 2018-12-11T16:00
David Devan is obsessed with suits. David talks to Kai about growing up figure skating (8:40), what drew him first to opera after college (17:22), and the exciting idea behind Opera Philadelphia...
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Momentum from 2018-12-07T16:49:30
Momentum is highly underrated. In this week’s short story from a past Skip the Repeat Listen
Jonathan Coopersmith - Chair of Musical Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music from 2018-12-04T18:22:01
Jonathan Coopersmith will never turn down a good challenge. Jonathan talks to Kai about a particular choir teacher in high school (17:50), the students at Curtis and a fascinating letter he make...
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Nothing Is Given from 2018-11-30T16:40:30
You know the artists that we look up to and make us wonder if we can ever reach their level? They all started like us. In this week's short story from a past Skip the Repeat guest, Jake Goldbas,...
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Stanford Thompson - Trumpeter&Founder/Executive Director of Play On, Philly! from 2018-11-27T16:55:05
Stanford Thompson and his family spend every Thanksgiving in a different city. Stanford talks to Kai about how he hated practicing when he first started the trump...
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Second Fiddle: A Different Perspective from 2018-11-23T17:42:12
When we see a string quartet, why do we automatically compare the first and second violinists? It's habit. In this week's short story from a past Skip the Repeat guest, Bryan Lee, violinist and ...
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Jas Morrell - Tattoo Artist&Owner of Spirited Tattooing Coalition from 2018-11-20T16:30
Jas Morrell is a tattoo artist and owner of Spirited Tattooing Coalition in Philadelphia. Jas talks to Kai about what makes his tattoo shop different (3), his exp...
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Think: Why Do You Complain? from 2018-11-16T17:26:57
Have you ever noticed that there's a lot of complaining happening? In this week's short story from a past Skip the Repeat guest, Mary Javian, Chair of Career Studies at the Curtis Institute of M...
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JJ Kirkpatrick - Trumpeter, Composer, and Producer from 2018-11-13T17:13:44
JJ Kirkpatrick has been surrounded by great educators all his life. JJ gives tribute to the late Roy Hargrove (2:50), talks to Kai about what Thara Memory meant to him (6:30), and what got him t...
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Who Gave Us Those Rules? from 2018-11-09T17:10:03
Tattoos are controversial where Yura Lee and I come from, Korea and Japan respectively, and in the classical music world. In this week’s short episode from a past...
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Raphael Xavier - Breaker/Dancer & Multifaceted Artist from 2018-11-06T16:30
Raphael Xavier teaches at Princeton. Raphael talks to Kai about his school experience, beginning with the time he ran for class president while being a graffiti artist (8:55) and how he yearned for...
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Changing Paths from 2018-11-02T15:59:56
As artists, there’s a particular stigma against changing careers away from our art form. In this week’s short story from a past Skip the Repeat guest, Sarah Williams, New Works Administrator at Ope...
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Jennifer Montone - Principal Horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 2018-10-30T16:02:20
Jennifer Montone is very proud of her students. Jen talks to Kai about how her sister influenced her decision to pursue the dream to become a musician (4), the central role performance psychology h...
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I Want To See What Happens from 2018-10-26T18:00
Mr. Jim Cotter knew that he probably wasn't good enough to work at the BBC World Service. But that didn't stop him. In this week's short episode, the host of "Articulate" tells us of the mindset he...
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Nick Canellakis - Cellist, Artistic Director, Filmmaker, and Actor from 2018-10-23T18:27:21
Nick Canellakis can’t guarantee that there are going to be more episodes of his show, “Conversations with Nick Canellakis”. But he also can’t say that the last episodes of the show have been produc...
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Jake Goldbas - Drummer, Musical Director, and Educator from 2018-10-16T18:29:25
Jake Goldbas is a new father. Jake talks to Kai about what got him to start drumming (12:20), what not making it to his high school jazz band freshman year taught him (16:48), and what he thinks ab...
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Michael Tree from 2018-10-12T18:50:58
Michael Tree was a legendary violist and member of the Guarneri Quartet. He was also an important mentor, teacher, and colleague for many musicians. In this week's short story from a past Skip the ...
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