Moveable Do is the podcast where Steve Danielson interviews living composers to learn about their journeys, successes, and learning experiences. Each episode features personal stories from the composers as well as clips from their music catalog. Join Steve as he learns to hear others' stories through their music.

If you have questions or suggestions for the show, email me at moveabledo@gmail.com or visit our Facebook listener's page.

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Season Two

Dr. Paul Aitken wraps up Season 2 of Moveable Do with a discussion of the differences between Ontario, Canada and Norman, Oklahoma, his compositional process, and what sort of music he would write if he had unlimited time and resources. And what's it like being known as the "Flanders Fields" guy? Featured on this episode: "Flanders Fields," "And None Shall Be Afraid: A Plea for Peace in 5 Movements," "How Can I Keep From Singing," and "Au Claire de la Lune." To learn more about Paul, visit https://www.paulaitkenmusic.com/.

Dr. Ellen Gilson Voth delights Moveable Do this week with a discussion about the sheet music publishing world, her influential music teachers, and her own work as an educator. Featured on this episode: "Today I Will," "Across the Empty Square," and two new pieces, "Above Gravity," and "I Had No Time to Hate." For more information about Ellen, please visit https://www.ellengilsonvoth.net/.

This week Moveable Do welcomes Dr. Eric William Barnum. We discuss the podcast that he co-hosts called The Choral Contrarians, story telling through choral music, and finding relaxation in the weird and the odd. And what does it mean to be contrarian in the choral world, anyway? Featured on this episode: "She Walks in Beauty," "Adoramus Te, Christe," "The Sounding Sea," and "The Stars Stand Up in the Air." For more information about Eric Barnum, visit his website: http://www.ericwilliambarnum.com/

Dr. Libby Larsen shares her time, talent, and expertise with us this week as we discuss growing up in a Catholic school before Vatican II, her compositional process, her love of water and lakes and her long-distance running...on purpose! Featured on this episode: "Sorrow Song and Jubilee," "Wolf Song in Los Angeles," "Holy Roller," and "Deep Summer Music." To learn more about Libby, visit https://libbylarsen.com/

This week, Russ Howard takes Moveable Do to the movies. Russ talks about working with film, TV, and video game music and how to develop musical ideas for characters. He also talks about the connection between Hallmark movies and horror slashers. Featured on this episode: "Finding a Friend," "Best Friends," "Meet the Girls," and "Body Parts." For more information about Russ, check out his IMDB page, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2035423/.

This week on Moveable Do, Joan Szymko takes us on an adventure of topics including accessibility and universality, African drumming, selecting texts, and an in-depth discussion of Alzheimer's. Featured on this episode: "Nada te Turbe," "Hodie," "River," and highlights from her major work, "Shadow and Light." If you listen carefully, you might even hear a bit of "It Takes a Village." For more information about Joan and her music, visit https://joanszymko.com.

Dr. Rosephanye Powell delights Moveable Do this week with her discussion of music education, Imposter Syndrome, and performance practice for Spirituals. Truly, an enlightening conversation! Featured on this week's episode: "I Dream a World," "The Word was With God," "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," and "With What Shall I Come," a gift for Dr. Anton Armstrong. For more music from Rosephanye Powell, visit http://rosephanyepowell.com.

This week on Moveable Do, Jen Wagner talks about her work as a music educator in Hershey, writing piano music at midnight, and her database of composers. Featured on this episode: "In the Bleak Midwinter," "In Flander's Fields," "Lacrimosa," and "We are the Children." Plus, special appearances from "Mommy's Memories," and "Moriah." To hear more of Jen's music, visit http://jenwagnermusic.com/.

Steve talks this week with Mari Esabel Valverde about issues of being and teaching transgender students, a shared love of language learning, and inspiration drawn from the nature around us all. If Mari could be around one type of nature, what would it be? Featured on this week's episode: "Cantares," "Crossing," "Border Lines," and "Oracle of Spring." To learn more about Mari, visit https://marivalverde.com/.

Seattle-based composer John Muehleisen talks to Moveable Do this week about Northwest Choral Publishers, his major influences as a composer, and the connection between sacred and secular music. Featured on this episode: "Eat Your Vegetables! - Set One," "The Stars Still Shine," "When All is Done," and "But Who Shall Return Us Our Children: A Kipling Passion." To learn more about John Muehleisen, visit his website at https://johnmuehleisen.com/.

Dr. Sarah Riskind talks to Moveable Do this week about her work with Sephardic music, improvisation, and her love for early music, though not necessarily in that order. Featured on this week's episode: "Psalm of the Sky," "Weep, O Mine Eyes," "Oseh Shalom," and highlights from her "Oz Cantata. Find more music by Sarah Riskind by visiting https://sarahriskind.com/

This week, Dr. J.D. Frizzell, teacher at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, TN, talks about the struggle of writing with new baby in the house, helping students learn to compose, and how the work of Estonian composer Veljo Tormis influenced his writing style. Featured on this episode: "And I Can Sing," "The Lamb," "This is Life to Come," and highlights from his "Magnificat." To learn more about J.D., visit his website: https://jdfrizzell.com/.

This week, Moira Smiley, in her fun, authentic manner, talks about folk songs, singing, and body percussion as well as issues of isolation and technology. Featured on this episode: "I Have a Voice," "Time in Our Voices," "Wire You Here," and "Bellow" (with special appearance of "Bring Me Little Water Silvy"). To hear more of Moira's music, visit her website at https://moirasmiley.com.

To kick off Season 2 of Moveable Do, Steve sits down with Jake Runestad to talk about how he got into composing, issues of social justice, and of course, Nyon Nyon. Pieces featured on this episode, "Come to the Woods," "Let My Love Be Heard," "The Secret of the Sea," and "Spirited Light." Visit Jake's website at https://jakerunestad.com. ​

Season One

As Steve wraps up Season One of Moveable Do, he gives a big thanks to his guests and tells you about the piece that has been the theme music for this season. Featured on this episode: "Take Me Back (A New American Folk Song)."

This week, Dr. Rollo Dilworth talks about his influences from a very young age up to the present. He also talks about his work with young, developing voices and takes a couple questions from some younger listeners. Featured on this episode, "I Sing Because I'm Happy," "Joshua," "I Dream a World," "Gift to be Free," and "Why a Caged Bird Sings." And from the 150 works he has published, what was the first?

This week, Steve sits down with Dr. Dan Forrest and talks about some of his greatest influences and the lessons he learned about writing a melody and keeping things simple. Featured in this episode: Shalom; fermata; and et Deus ispiravit, the silent kiss, and Epilogue from the breath of life. Also, advice that Dan would give to himself 20 years ago.

From Jazz to R&B, from concert band to orchestras, Dr. Chad "Sir Wick" Hughes, talks about his diverse musical styles. Hear how his path from Michigan to Kansas to Louisiana and finally to Atlanta shaped his musical ideals. Featured on this episode: "Tale of Two Fools," "Ruth and Boaz," "I Thank You Lord," and "Visions of a Renaissance." And what is a "Novical" anyway?

Composer Dale Trumbore discusses her journey to composition through the lens of self-doubt and self-mastery. Featured on this episode: "Infinitely and Without Apology," "Faster," "Fifteen Ways to Splinter a Sunset," and "How to Go On." Also, hear about how her writing and composing go hand in hand.

​Hawaii-based composer Chris Fraley discusses how his background as a math and science wiz influences his love for counterpoint. Featured in this episode: "Eire's Call," "The Plains," "Hine Ma Tov," and the premiere of the recording of "A Light Exists In Spring." Plus, experimentations with Just Intonation.

​Composers Jocelyn Hagen and Tim Takach discuss what it's like to be married to another composer and how they balance their work and family lives. Hear how they both have unique compositional styles and working methods. Featured on this episode: "Hands" and "Hummingbird" by Jocelyn; "Helios" and "Neither Angels, Nor Demons, Nor Powers" by Tim. Also, learn about the formation of their a cappella duo, Nation.

​This week, composer Brian Tate talks about his music education journey that took him around the world - across three continents! He also talks about his work as a clinician for musicians as well as business leaders. Featured on this episode: "Gate, Gate," "Hold Me, Rock Me," "We Are One," and "Take Down These Walls." What does Brian do in his free time? The answer may surprise you!

This week, Polish-Italian-American composer Ally Czyzewicz talks about her love of choral music and her musical production called "Our Family." Featured on this episode: "Cien," "Diversity," "Aurora," and "Jesenia." You'll also find out about her band, Casimir Effect.

​Join me as I talk with Judy Rose about her journey from West Virginia to Oregon and how she eventually came to write original choral spirituals. Featured on this episode: "Om Shanti Om," "I've Found Me a River," "A Jubilant Day," and "You're Not Alone in This World." Come meet the Native American flute named Quiet Bear.

This week Dr. Fahad Siadat discusses how he is working to combine the worlds of new music composition and advocacy-driven choral music. Featured in this episode: "Epilogue in A-Flat Minor," "The Vast Sea," "The Beacon (Be Sturdy and Full of Hope)," and "The Valley of Wonderment." See if we can answer the question: an epilogue to what?

Dr. Mike Merrill discusses his major influences as a composer including his saxophone playing and years living in Aberdeen, Scotland. Hear him discuss meeting and wooing his wife and what piece he'd like to have on a deserted island. Featured in this episode, "Loch Lomond," "Ecce Sacerdos Magnus," "Hateful is the Dark Blue Sky," and his oratorio, "The Martyrdom of the Saints."

Dr. Giselle Wyers, professor of choral music at the University of  Washington, talks about her path from budding singer to internationally  acclaimed composer and conductor. Featured on this episode: "The  Waking," "The Lonely Land," and the choral cycle "And All Shall Be Well"  as well as the answer to the question, what did Giselle want to be when  she grew up?

This week, Steve interviews Evans Mbinji, composer, arranger, conductor, and teacher from Nairboi Kenya. Evans describes the difference between sacred and non-sacred music performance in Kenya. He also talks about what he learned from choirs in the USA when he was on exchange here in 2018. Music featured on this episode: "Simama imara," "Bwana Nipe Pesa," and "Jambo Bwana."

Steve talks with Filipino composer Saunder Choi about growing up in Manila, his feelings when he moved to Boston and then to LA, and how his viewpoint as an immigrant shapes his compositions. Featuring excerpts from "Brothers of the Sea," "The New Colossus," "Leron, Leron Sinta" and "Ang Tren." Plus the answer to the question, "What is the first song that Saunder remembers singing?"