Flutist Audrey Watkins says once you get past the nerves that come with preparing a piece, once you become so comfortable with what you’re playing that you let go and let the music flow…that’s when you begin to feel the power of the music and the ability to really affect people with what you play.

James Rhodes has put in the requisite time and effort to become one of the world’s finest musicians. Daily practice sessions lasting six hours coupled with lessons from, as he put it, “Edoardo Strabbioli, a crazy, angry, almost psychotic Italian teacher.”

Each year, ProMusica brings in performers from a wide range of genres to celebrate another year of making music and to help raise funds for PMCO.

Haydn’s father would play the harp, while iss mother sang the melodies.

While I am not advocating a riot, throwing a punch, or even booing, I do wonder if we are a bit TOO polite – not just when we don’t like something, but even when we DO.

One L.A. Times Arts and Culture writer says “for core classical music fans, playing popular pieces is nothing more than pandering to the lowest common denominator.” What?

Though the composer may no longer live, the music does…and when musicians begin to unlock what has been written, the music becomes a living, breathing entity, communicating across cultures and times to speak to us.

“I love the idea that a song by Billie Holiday can speak to a song by Purcell, and that each one can influence the way we hear the other.”