The Musician Centric Podcast

The Musician Centric Podcast

Two professional violists, Liz O'Hara and Stephanie Knutsen, explore diverse perspectives in the music field through conversations together and with friends. Whether gaining fresh insights from industry innovators or laughing their way through a show like Mozart in the Jungle, Liz and Steph hope to inspire musicians, particularly freelancers, to feel a sense of agency in their lives. **Note: This podcast was formerly titled the ViolaCentric podcast**

Episodes

January 26, 2026 60 mins

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Start the year with a jolt of creative permission! We sit down with Grammy-winning cellist Mike Block to trace the real path from conservatory discipline to cross-cultural collaboration. Mike opens up about the moment improvisation unlocked joy, how Silk Road Ensemble and Mark O’Connor reframed his identity, and why adding genres isn’t about collecting tricks—it’s about finding communities...

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Kyleen King, violist and string arranger for Brandi Carlile, opens up about musicians' mental health challenges and her journey toward becoming a therapist for touring musicians. She shares unfiltered insights about the psychological toll of touring life and the community support that's helping her transition into social work.

• The reality gap between performing onstage...

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Liz and Steph reunite after an eight-month podcast hiatus, bringing with them powerful stories of personal transformation through health challenges. 

With remarkable vulnerability, Steph shares her breast cancer journey—the fear, the treatments, and ultimately the strength she discovered within herself and from her support network. Her experience serves as both inspiration and gentle remind...

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What happens when your body sends you warnings that something is seriously wrong? Join us as we recount Liz's unexpected journey through debilitating health challenges, including severe migraines and a frightening ER visit. After numerous consultations and tests, Liz was diagnosed with Addison's disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting cortisol production. We discuss the emotion...

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In this week's recap, we're here to whisk you away on a South American escapade—minus the need for frantic passport updates or surprise visa requirements. Our favorite orchestra is on TOUR! Find out what happens when there's apparently no rehearsal itinerary and musicians are unleashed on Mexico City!

*If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating and writing ...

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Discover the keys to turning artistic flair into financial success as we sit down with the extraordinary Miriam Schulman, the mind behind "Artpreneur." Her book lights the way for artists to thrive in the marketplace, and we're diving deep into her treasure trove of strategies. From setting the right prices to self-promotion that doesn't feel like selling out, Miriam&ap...

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Ever looked at your music career and wondered if there's more to it than the path you're currently on? Katherine Emeneth joins us with her wealth of experience as a studio building expert and career coach for creatives, ready to shed light on the vast potential that lies beyond traditional music paths. She steers us through the terrain of scarcity versus abundance in the industry...

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Unlock the backstage pass to an evening where classical music meets wild party vibes, and where industry giants cameo as themselves, merging the highbrow with pop culture. Episode four of "Mozart in the Jungle" has us wrapped around Dermot Mulroney's fingers just like his cello strings, as we gush over his performance that's as captivating as his '90s silver screen...

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In this episode we talk shop with violin maker and luthier Robyn Sullivan! She tells us about her path to the bench and what her experience has been as a woman in the sometimes male-dominated field of lutherie. Robyn is not only busy in the shop at Potter Violins in Washington, DC, but is advocating for women makers as well. The Women in Lutherie exhibit will tour the East Coast starting i...

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**This is Part 2 of our conversation with Drew. Be sure to look for Part 1 in our feed to hear the whole glorious episode!

Ever wondered how to carve out a successful career in music, with or without the classical repertoire? That Viola Kid, Drew Ford, rejoins us to unravel the secrets of thriving as an “Extra-Classical Musician" in today's dynamic indtry. We start off w...

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Ever wondered how to carve out a successful career in music, with or without the classical repertoire? That Viola Kid, Drew Ford, rejoins us to unravel the secrets of thriving as an "extra classical musician" in today's dynamic industry. We start off with a little Valentine's Day banter and a nod to the eerie allure of "True Detective," but the real heart of o...

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** This is the second of two parts of our conversation. If you haven't yet, be sure to listen to the first part!

Pull up a chair and join the intimate discussion with Ernest Stewart, whose vast trombone performing experience transcends genres. Ernest now works with Mid Atlantic Arts, bringing his insights from stage to the boardroom, and shedding light on the significance of ...

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🎉 HAPPY NEW YEAR! We're shaking things up with a slight change to our episode lengths this year...so let us know what you think! This is the first of two parts of our conversation. Stay tuned to the feed for Part Two, available in a matter of days.

Pull up a chair and join the intimate discussion with Ernest Stewart, whose vast trombone performing experience transcends genre...

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Join us as we rewind the scenes of the sometimes-celebrated TV show, "Mozart in the Jungle"! Rodrigo finds out what too many bacchanals means for his housing status and Bradford moves in with Lizzie and Hailey. Gloria reveals a 'shocking' new talent and we're introduced to a very charming oboist with a wealth of musical experiences, but it's all leading us up ...

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Our guest today is Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, a composer, pianist and member of the Chickasaw Nation! Jerod shares valuable insights on his journey of self-discovery, embracing his roots, and the significant role they play in his artistic expression.

Jerod tells us about his creative process, how he balances artistic productivity with parenting, and the significance of fi...

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And now for something completely different! As a big fan of reality show podcast recaps, Steph convinced Liz to dive into the MITJ universe. Neither of us had watched this series or heard much about it, and you can bear witness as our innocence is ripped away! 

Well, we weren't deterred by Season 1, so join us as we recap Season 2: episode-by-salacious-episode. In this series...

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And now for something completely different! As a big fan of reality show podcast recaps, Steph convinced Liz to dive into the MITJ universe. Neither of us have watched this series or heard much about it, and you can bear witness as our innocence is ripped away! Join us as we recap Season 2: episode-by-salacious-episode. In this series we follow Hailey, the fresh-faced freelance oboist, Cyn...

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Have you ever felt stuck in a career that doesn't resonate with you? With an exciting transition from law to career coaching, our guest Astrid Baumgartner has plenty of wisdom to share, having journeyed through such a change herself. Her invaluable insights from her book, Creative Success Now, are a beacon for those seeking authenticity and fulfillment in their professional lives.

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In this episode, we welcome the dynamic Aubrey Bergauer, the brilliant mind behind the upcoming book 'Run it Like a Business.'  Aubrey brings a fresh and thought-provoking perspective to our conversation, shedding new light on arts administration, nonprofit organizations, and her unique strategies for building and retaining arts audiences. With a passion for working offstage to b...

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Welcome back from summer vacation! Well, if your school changed names and had a big makeover, that is...ViolaCentric is now MusicianCentric. We've rebranded our podcast to create more inclusive conversations that resonate with all musicians. With a fresh line of merchandise and a revamped Patreon, we're thrilled to be joining you for a fourth Season!

What better way to g...

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