Music Makers – Details, episodes & analysis

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Music Makers

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Arts

Frequency: 1 episode/19d. Total Eps: 12

Music Makers is your ultimate backstage pass to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Join host Chelsey Norris each week to hear directly from a DSO Music Maker and discover what makes them tick… Or pluck. Or bow. You get it. These are the stories that don’t make it into the concert programs or social media feeds. This is your chance to meet the real people who make the music happen on stage and off.

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Karen Schnackenberg (DSO Principal Librarian)

Season 1 · Episode 12

Thursday, May 28, 2026 • Duration 52:49

Each performance at the Dallas Symphony begins long before the musicians play a single note on stage. There’s an entire world of preparation that happens behind the scenes, and today, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most essential – and least visible – parts of the orchestra: the music library.

Today’s Music Maker is longtime Principal Librarian Karen Schnackenberg, who has dedicated her career to making sure the path from printed page to performance feels completely seamless for musicians and audiences alike. Every piece of music we have performed since 1990 has crossed her desk in some way; from ordering the proper editions and correcting any printing errors, to marking bowings and rehearsal systems and then carefully placing the music on each stand before a rehearsal or concert. Or... as Karen puts it, “ensuring that the right music is in the right hands at the right time.”

So how does one become an orchestra librarian? Karen shares how the path to the library has changed over the years and why she has personally dedicated her time to mentoring so many aspiring librarians over the years, including me! I started my career in our music library back in 2013 and learned so much from my time with Karen and our other librarians before eventually moving into marketing and communications.

As Karen prepares for retirement, she reflects on the legacy she leaves behind and some highlights from her extraordinary tenure, like being hired by Eduardo Mata and building the music library in the then-brand-new Meyerson Symphony Center, to working alongside current Music Director Fabio Luisi. Her decades of tireless work have had an immeasurable impact, both here at the DSO, and across the classical music industry. I hope you enjoy getting to know Karen in this episode.

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Anthony Blake Clark (DSO Chorus Director)

Season 1 · Episode 11

Thursday, May 14, 2026 • Duration 42:32

Today’s Music Maker is Anthony Blake Clark, director and conductor of the Dallas Symphony Chorus, the all-volunteer official vocal ensemble of the DSO, just in time for our performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8.

If you’ve ever experienced a performance of this monumental work — also known as the “Symphony of a Thousand” — you know it’s less like a concert and more like a force of nature. Nearly 400 players, including singers from three choruses, come together for a sound like nothing you’ve ever heard. Blake, and the Dallas Symphony Chorus are an integral part of this undertaking, which you can see at the DSO this week, for the first time in more than 25 years.

In this episode, Blake takes us behind the scenes of the 190-member Dallas Symphony Chorus, from the massive coordination required for productions like Mahler 8 to the unique culture of choir life itself. He shares why singing is one of the most vulnerable forms of music-making, how growing up in Amarillo shaped his love of storytelling through music, and why he believes music really can change the world by changing people.

We also talk about his path from singer and composer to chorus conductor, and we put him through an important test: rating stereotypical singer pre-concert rituals, from lip trills to avoiding dairy to never, ever saying “break a leg.” I hope you enjoy getting to know Blake in this episode.

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Meredith Kufchak (DSO Principal Viola)

Season 1 · Episode 10

Thursday, April 16, 2026 • Duration 40:47

This week’s music maker is DSO Principal Viola Meredith Kufchak.

Have you ever wondered why the viola gets so much hate? As Meredith explains, there’s actually good reason — and it goes all the way back to the instrument’s earliest days.

Meredith is the youngest of six siblings, all of them musicians. She chose the viola at just four years old, inspired by her older sister, and grew up in a home she fondly describes as “basically a conservatory,” with six kids all competing for practice time.

We also talk about her journey to the DSO, including a year-long audition process, and how her life has changed since moving to Dallas in 2019. Spoiler alert: it includes another DSO love story.

If you’re listening on release day, April 16, the world premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s Four Scenes from Childhood is happening tonight, with Meredith as soloist. It’s not often the viola takes center stage, and this piece holds special meaning for both the composer and Meredith.

Stay tuned to learn more about this unique new piece, and I hope you enjoy getting to know Meredith in this episode.

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Jenna Barghouti (DSO Violin)

Season 1 · Episode 9

Thursday, April 9, 2026 • Duration 34:11

Meet DSO violinist Jenna Barghouti!

Jenna grew up in Ramallah, in Palestine’s West Bank, where she began music lessons at just six years old. At the time, she was one of only six students at her conservatory, and for much of her childhood, music felt like just a hobby. But with encouragement from her family and teachers, her talent quickly blossomed. She went on to join the Palestine Youth Orchestra and eventually made her way to the U.S. to study at Indiana University.

Offstage, Jenna enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the city—and she shares some great recommendations for Arabic food in DFW, so be sure to listen through to the end.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Jenna and feel inspired by her story—a reminder, to in her father’s words, “not give up until the world shuts every door in your face.”

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Daphne Volle (DSO Violin)

Season 1 · Episode 8

Thursday, March 12, 2026 • Duration 26:03

Today’s Music Maker is DSO violinist Daphne Volle.

Daphne has been part of the orchestra since 1996 and has witnessed decades of change—from a new generation of musicians joining the ensemble to the DSO's expanded presence in the community.

Originally from Lyon, France, she began playing the violin at just four years old and went on to study at the Paris Conservatory before making her way to Dallas.

In this episode, Daphne and I talk about how the city’s arts scene has evolved, memorable moments from her time in the DSO, and the things that make orchestra life special.

She also shares her love of cooking, some of her favorite experiences traveling the world, and why great music—especially Beethoven—never gets old.

But you’ll definitely want to stay until the end to hear about the incredible bond she shares with her rescue dog, Athos and their volunteer work with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, where they bring comfort to those who need it most in our community.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Daphne in this episode.

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Sophia Jani (DSO Composer-in-Residence)

Season 1 · Episode 7

Thursday, February 12, 2026 • Duration 32:44

This week’s music maker is DSO’s Composer-in-Residence Sophia Jani, who spoke with us over Zoom from her homebase in Munich ahead of the world premiere of her new Violin Concerto. If you’re listening on February 12, tonight is the world premiere, and we’re bringing you a behind-the-scenes look at how it all came together.

So, what is a composer-in-residence? Sophia describes her role as championing new music in the community. She shares how working closely with the DSO has shaped her composition process over the last few years, culminating in the premiere of her Violin Concerto, her largest work yet.

Sophia shares with us how she found her voice as a composer and staying true to her vision no matter the context. Her hope for her Violin Concerto and all new music: the world premiere is just the beginning.

We hope you enjoy getting to know Sophia in this episode!

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Daniel Hawkins (DSO Principal Horn)

Season 1 · Episode 6

Friday, January 30, 2026 • Duration 43:28

This week’s music maker is DSO Principal Horn Daniel Hawkins!

Originally from Chandler, Texas, about an hour-and-a-half southeast of Dallas, Daniel is no stranger to the Texas heat or our famous barbeque. And like many Texans, his early musical foundation was shaped through public-school band.

That path eventually led him back home, where he now performs with the Dallas Symphony, the very same orchestra he grew up listening to.

From his goosebump moment hearing Mahler’s Second Symphony for the first time, to his path to becoming a leader of a large and dynamic horn section as Principal, Daniel shares his musical journey, his approach to music, practicing, leadership and more.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Daniel in this episode!

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Shira Samuels-Shragg (DSO Assistant Conductor)

Season 1 · Episode 5

Thursday, January 15, 2026 • Duration 40:48

In today’s episode, you’ll meet the DSO’s Assistant Conductor, Shira Samuels-Shragg, who, at the time of recording this interview, had just finished her first season with us.

A big part of Shira’s job is acting as a cover conductor, a kind of understudy who can step in should anything happen to the scheduled conductor.

Shira shares what she’s learned in her first season with the DSO and what she’s looking forward to doing next, as well as her hopes and dreams of becoming Music Director of a big orchestra someday.

You’ll want to listen all way through to hear about when she got “THE call” and stepped in for Maestro Luisi back in November.

We hope you enjoy getting to know Shira!

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Holiday Special: Lawrence Loh (DSO Guest Conductor)

Season 1 · Episode 4

Thursday, December 18, 2025 • Duration 45:42

Pour yourself some eggnog and cozy up for this episode of Music Makers because we’re introducing you to the maestro who has led the DSO's holiday concerts for nearly two decades, Lawrence Loh.

In this very special, very festive episode, Chelsey and Larry talk all things Christmas, from his favorite traditions and how he came to be the DSO’s holiday pops conductor to the question on everyone’s minds – does he ever get tired of Christmas music?

Stay tuned until the end where we put Larry’s knowledge of holiday song lyrics to the test. (Spoiler alert: we stumped him with “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!”)

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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Angela Fuller Heyde (DSO Principal Second Violin)

Season 1 · Episode 3

Thursday, December 4, 2025 • Duration 29:12

In today’s episode, you’ll meet the DSO’s Principal Second Violinist, Angela Fuller Heyde (Barbara K. & Seymour R. Thum Chair)-- “Angie,” to her friends and colleagues.

Angie and Chelsey cover a lot of ground, from the youth orchestra rehearsal that sparked her dream of becoming a professional violinist to a recent concert where she witnessed the true power of music and how it can really change lives.

Angie also reflects on arriving in Dallas in 2009 and meeting her now-husband, Associate Principal Horn David Heyde.

You won’t want to miss this one!

Find us on social media @dallassymphony, and be sure to follow Music Makers wherever you’re listening so you never miss an episode.

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