music
Hosted by Katrina Stroud · music · EN-US
Join host Katrina Stroud as she sits down with professional classical musicians to uncover the personal journeys behind public performances. In each episode, you'll hear conversations that reveal the passion, struggles, and turning points that have shaped the lives of classical musicians. Hear some of the greatest classical artists in the world share their stories of resilience, artistry, and inspiration and give their advice to aspiring professional musicians. Whether you're a seasoned musician, working student, or someone who loves the transformative power of classical music, this podcast invites you to listen deeply -- to the music, and to the stories behind it. Love the show? Support Backstage Classical Conversations with a donation at paypal.me/backstageccc — every bit helps us share more inspirational stories!
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Contact path
Public web form
Booking probability
29%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchJoin host Katrina Stroud as she sits down with professional classical musicians to uncover the personal journeys behind public performances. In each episode, you'll hear conversations that reveal the passion, struggles, and turning points that have shaped the lives of classical musicians.
Backstage: Classical Conversations is hosted by Katrina Stroud. The show has published 34 episodes to date.
Recent episodes include "Sheryl Staples: New York Philharmonic" (19 October 2026, 53 minutes), "David Samuel: Vanderbilt University" (5 October 2026, 40 minutes), and "Stefan Jackiw: Concert Violinist" (21 September 2026, 30 minutes).
Backstage: Classical Conversations publishes roughly every two weeks, with episodes averaging 38 minutes across 34 episodes.
Booking probability for Backstage: Classical Conversations is 29%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Backstage: Classical Conversations requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Backstage: Classical Conversations's contact route on record: public web form.
The strongest fits for Backstage: Classical Conversations are Artists, Writers & Performers. Backstage: Classical Conversations has a music audience.
Katrina Stroud hosts Backstage: Classical Conversations, a music podcast with 34 episodes published.
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Episode #12
In this episode, violinist Sheryl Staples, Principal Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, shares her journey from a young musician to a renowned orchestral performer and educator. She discusses studying...
Episode #11
In this episode, David Samuel shares his journey from a young musician in Canada to an international performer and educator. He discusses the importance of authenticity, the value of competitions, and the collaborative...
Episode #10
Stefan Jackiw shares his journey from a young violinist to a professional performer and educator, highlighting key mentors, experiences, and insights into the life of a musician. Support the show Producer and Editor...
Episode #9
Renowned cellist Christopher Costanza of the former St. Lawrence String Quartet and faculty at Stanford University talks about recording the Haydn String Quartets and Bach Suites for solo cello, stories from his travels...
Episode #8
Renowned cellist Christopher Costanza shares his journey through classical music, from early beginnings to his experiences with the St. Lawrence String Quartet and collaborations with composers like Messiaen. Support...
Episode #7
In this episode, Pasha Sabouri (former teacher of host Katrina Stroud) shares his journey from a young violinist to a renowned educator and festival founder. Discover insights on teaching philosophy, building a music...
Episode #6
Merry Peckham, Director of Chamber Music and Assistant Dean at the Juilliard School, is a renowned chamber musician and educator. Listen as she shares her extensive journey through the world of classical music, from her...
Episode #4
Violist Molly Carr shares her inspiring journey from a young violist in Reno, Nevada to a member of the Juilliard String Quartet and founder of Project Music Heals Us. Discover her insights on overcoming fear, finding...
Episode #2
Devin Moore is the violist of the internationally acclaimed Isidore String Quartet. Listen as he talks about his musical background from growing up in Pittsburgh to becoming a Kovner Fellow at the Juilliard School...
Episode #1
Erin Keefe is the concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra and faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music. Listen as she talks about her musical background and education, her Minnesota orchestra audition and...
Episode #21
<p>Listen to the season finale with violist Misha Amory, teacher at the Juilliard School and Curtis Institute, and founding member of the Brentano String Quartet, the quartet-in-residence at the Yale School of Music. In...
Episode #20
<p>Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan, Danielle Belen, talks about how she prepares her students for auditions, creating a supportive studio environment, entrepreneurship, and gives her advice to aspiring...
Episode #19
<p>Danielle Belen, Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance, shares her journey though the music world and finding her passion for teaching the violin. Listen as she discusses...
Episode #18
<p>Multi-style double bassist Jacob Warren shares his journey of being a classically trained bassist and learning different genres of music. Listen as he speaks about musical mentors, co-creating the chamber groups...
Episode #17
<p>Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Nathan Cole shares his journey from a young violinist influenced by his musical family to becoming a prominent figure in the orchestral world. He discusses his experiences at the...
Episode #16
<p>Paul Watkins is an esteemed cellist on faculty at the Yale School of Music and a member of the Emerson String Quartet starting in 2013. He discusses the influence of his musical education, the importance of...
Episode #15
<p>Violinist Robert McDuffie talks about obtaining his Guaneri del Gesu violin in a limited partnership, starting the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, and creating the Rome Chamber Music Festival. <br/><br/>To learn...
Episode #14
<p>Robert McDuffie is a distinguished American violinist. Listen as he talks with host Katrina about his musical mentors including Dorothy DeLay and Yehudi Menhuin and lessons he learned while touring around the world...
Episode #13
<p>Violinist Fabiola Kim is a renowned solo violinist and teaches at the University of Michigan and Colburn School. Listen as she talks about her musical mentors, finding her passion for teaching, lessons she's learned...
Episode #12
<p>Sarah Ying Ma is a violinist in the Poiesis Quartet that just won the Banff Competition Grand Prize. Ma shares her musical background, the importance of new music, and how to keep "classical" music relevant in...
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