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!

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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!

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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.