On today's episode, I'm joined by percussionist, conductor, scholar, and educator Dr. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey. We talk about her early music education in Alaska, growing up surrounded by extraordinary role models, and how that upbringing shaped her drive to put her musical training in service of real-world issues. We also dig into the persistent underrepresentation of women composers on concert programmes, and why in this day and age programming Beethoven is anything but a neutral choice. We also explore her remarkable 2019 project with the Women's Orchestra of Afghanistan, as well as her latest endeavour: recording the complete keyboard works of composer Marianna Martines.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cayennaconductor/
Marianna Martines Life and Music: https://youtu.be/rKE_N21fz_0?si=SP3myJnoOxBqXBi4
0:00 - IntroductionÂ
1:37 - Growing up Playing MusicÂ
3:24 - Learning to Play PercussionÂ
5:08 - Why Music Genres Donât MatterÂ
8:02 - How did Cayenna get into Conducting?Â
11:56 - How can we get more women into conducting?Â
14:27 - Adding Value to Orchestral PerformanceÂ
17:52 - How Can Orchestral Music Help Push for ChangeÂ
19:40 - Championing the Work of Women ComposersÂ
22:18 - Working with the Womenâs Orchestra of AfghanistanÂ
31:17 - How Impactful Orchestras Can beÂ
33:24 - Recording the Complete Keyboard Works of Marianna MartinesÂ
36:30 - What did you learn about Marianna Martines?Â
46:38 - Reacting to male conductors calling Martines a âsecond rate composerâ