The Cello Sherpa Podcast
Do you dream of someday getting to perform at Carnegie Hall, or wonder what it takes to be a professional musician? The Cello Sherpa Podcast is for anyone who enjoys the tales and scales in the life of a classical musician, or for the young classical musician who dreams big! We explore all aspects of the climb to the summit from student to the professional stage! Joel Dallow, the Cello Sherpa, interviews experts in the field covering a wide range of topics surrounding this challenging career choice, and sharing inside stories and advice on every aspect of this storied profession. A resource for many, or a place to tune in for interesting stories about this fascinating way of making a living. For comments, topic suggestions, or more information about the services we provide, please visit www.theCelloSherpa.com You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Bluesky @theCelloSherpa
Episodes
128 episodes
"Low Notes, High Stakes, & No Time to Waste" - An Interview with Rainer Eudeikis, Principal Cellist of the San Francisco Symphony
What does it really take to lead a world-class cello section while raising two young kids and navigating an orchestra’s evolving culture? The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, sits down with San Francisco Symphony principal cellist Rainer...
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Season 5
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Episode 25
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38:53
"Euniquely Multi-Talented" - An Interview with Violinist Eunice Kim, Member of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
What if a great music career isn’t either–or but yes–and? The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, sits down with violinist Eunice Kim to explore how a childhood steeped in sound turned into a life that balances the intimacy of chamber music...
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Season 5
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Episode 24
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33:22
Lights, Camera, Cello - An Interview with Cellist Nick Canellakis, Faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music
What if the thing that makes people laugh at your art is the same thing that makes them listen closer? That’s the tension—and the opportunity—at the heart of our conversation with cellist and filmmaker Nick Canellakis, whose viral sketches and ...
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Season 5
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Episode 23
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32:29
"Sacred Strings and Sweetgrass Things" - An Interview with Cellist Wilhelmina Smith, Soloist and Chamber Musician, and Composer Dawn Avery, Professor at Montgomery College
A sacred plant, a living coastline, and a cello that sings in two voices—Sweetgrass brings them together with uncommon clarity. The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, sits down with composer Dawn Avery and cellist Wilhelmina Sm...
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Season 5
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Episode 22
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31:00
"Tracks, Treasures, & Treble Clefs" - An Interview with Cellist and Franchomme Scholar, Louise Dubin
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Cellist and Franchomme Scholar, Louise Dubin. She shares about her incredibly varied career as a freelancer, and her love of research, particularly on French compositions. Louise gives deta...
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Season 5
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Episode 21
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34:40
"Pablo 2.0: A Cello Legacy" - An Interview with Cellist Pablo Ferrández, International Soloist
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Cellist, Pablo Ferrández. Pablo has been working all over the world as an international soloist. He shares about the experience of being born into a musical family and named after his fathe...
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Season 5
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Episode 20
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28:47
"Embracing Your Passion" - An Interview with Clay McKinney, Cellist & Orchestra Director at Parkway Schools
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Clay McKinney, Orchestra Director and Cellist at Parkway Schools located in Chesterfield, Missouri. Clay shares how he developed an incredible passion for teaching, particularly as an Orche...
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Season 5
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Episode 19
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34:15
"Perfection is the Enemy of Creativity" - An Interview with Cellist Alban Gerhardt, International Soloist and Chamber Musician
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Alban Gerhardt. Alban is enjoying a 35 year career as an International Soloist and Chamber Musician. Having performed with most of the major American and European orchestras, Alban ...
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Season 5
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Episode 18
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37:05
"Changing Lives Through Music" - An Interview with Cellist Robert Howard, Co-Artistic Director of the Kenya International Chamber Music Festival
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Robert Howard. Robert is a Founder and the Co-Artistic Director, along with Rebecca Merblum, of the Kenya International Chamber Music Festival. He shares his journey growing up as a...
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Season 5
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Episode 17
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28:45
"Playing King and Pauper" - An Interview with Cellist Clive Greensmith, Colburn School Conservatory of Music Professor of Cello
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Clive Greensmith. Clive has been Professor of Cello at the Colburn School Conservatory of Music since 2013. Clive shares about his incredible journey as cellist of the World renowne...
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Season 5
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Episode 16
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34:11
"Teaching Takes Dual Personalities" - An Interview with Cellist Emily Wright, Host of The Lonely Cello Podcast
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Emily Wright. Emily is the host of The Lonely Cello Podcast. She shares about the many facets of her career, including working as a freelance cellist, an Associate Editor and contri...
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Season 5
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Episode 15
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36:09
"Practicing the Cello and Patience" - An Interview with Cellist Alisa Weilerstein, International Soloist and Chamber Musician
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Alisa Weilerstein. Alisa is enjoying a career as an international soloist and chamber musician. In this interview, she shares what the experience of being recognized with a MacArthu...
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Season 5
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Episode 14
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28:36
"Conquering Imposter Syndrome" - An Interview with Emilio Colón, Professor of Cello at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Emilio Colón. Emilio is Professor of Cello at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. After getting off to a rocky start with his teacher Janos Starker, Emilio talks about...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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32:06
"Diversity Matters" - An Interview with Cellist Sterling Elliot, Winner of the 2019 National Sphinx Competition
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Sterling Elliot. Sterling is the 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and the winner of the Senior Division of the 2019 National Sphinx Competition. He shares about his journey ...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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37:06
"The Accidental Violist" - An Interview with Christian Colberg, Principal Violist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews violist, violinist, and composer, Christian Colberg. Christian is currently the Principal Violist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. He shares his amazing story about winning a job in th...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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38:49
"The Contemporary Cellist" - An Interview with Norman Fischer, Professor of Cello at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Norman Fischer. Norman is Professor of Cello, and Chair of Chamber Music at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. Norman shares his story of how he first developed his in...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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32:01
"The Enduring Legacy of Suzuki" - An Interview with Alex Croxton, Head of Cello at the School for Strings
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Alex Croxton, Alex is currently a faculty member at Mannes Prep, the Special Music School at the Kaufman Center, the Head of Cello at the School for Strings, and he has a full priva...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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32:16
"Trust the Plan" - An Interview with Andrew Sommer, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Bassist
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Bassist Andrew Sommer. Andrew is in his second season as a bassist in the Chicago Symphony, after spending 4 years as Principal of the Richmond Symphony. He shares his story about growing u...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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33:15
"The 21st Century Cellist" - An Interview with Cellist Mike Block, New England Conservatory Cello Faculty
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Cellist Mike Block. Mike shares about his incredible multi faceted life working not just as a cellist who walks around on stage while playing, but also as a singer, composer, and educator. ...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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38:10
"Trio Con Brio" - An Interview with Julie Albers, Principal Cellist of The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Cellist Julie Albers. She has been the principal cellist of The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra since 2014. They talk about her experience growing up in a family where all of her siblings played...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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31:45
"How Do We Win?" - An Interview with Cellist and Conductor, Eric Jacobsen, Music Director of the Virginia Symphony
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Cellist and Conductor Eric Jacobsen. Eric is a cellist in Yo-Yo Ma’s SilkRoad Ensemble, the Artistic Director and Co-founder of the Knights Chamber Orchestra and also the Music Director of ...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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38:33
"Cello on the Fringes" - An Interview with Nathan Chan, Asst. Principal Cello of the Seattle Symphony
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Nathan Chan, Assistant Principal Cello of the Seattle Symphony. They talk about the incredible social media following he has built over the years by creating insightful, interesting and amu...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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34:11
"The Ultimate Cello Swap" - An Interview with Blaise Dejardin, Principal Cellist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews Blaise Dejardin, principal cellist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They talk about what he has been up to over the past 3 years, joining the faculty of his alma mater, the New England Con...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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33:46
"Being Patient" - An Interview with Cellist Paul Watkins, Yale School of Music, Professor of Cello
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Paul Watkins. Paul is currently the Professor of Cello at the Yale School of Music. He shares his journey going back to landing Principal Cellist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra at th...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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33:59
"Do You Even Play the Bass?" - An Interview with Cellist Richard Aaron, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Professor of Cello
The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, interviews cellist Richard Aaron. Richard joined the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory in the fall of 2024. He shares his incredible journey from landing an orchestra position at the age of 18...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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41:13