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The Cello Sherpa Podcast

Joel Dallow
Auditions
Music Education
Chamber Music
Cello
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Classical Music
Education
Summer Music Programs
Manhattan School Of Music
Cello Performance
Musical Literacy
Musicianship
Tchaikovsky Competition
Avery Fisher Career Grant
Juilliard School
Juilliard
Social Media
Music Librarianship
Emily Wright
Audition Process

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, int... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes138Founded5 years ago
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ArtsCareersPerforming ArtsBusiness

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Artwork for The Cello Sherpa Podcast

Latest Episodes

One missed signup and a burst of kid-level courage can set an entire life in motion. Cellist and composer Dorothy Lawson grew up in Toronto surrounded by classical music and strong school music programs, but she didn’t “choose” cello in some grand, c... more

A kid gets asked to “play a scale” by one of the greatest cellists who ever lived and has no idea what a scale is. That moment could have ended in embarrassment and retreat, but for Ole Akahoshi it became the beginning of a lifelong education in craf... more

He picked orchestra because he thought there would be drums and that mix-up changed his life. Cellist Tommy Mesa joins us to trace the real arc from an accidental start in Miami to major career milestones, including joining the Manhattan School of Mu... more

Classical music can change a life, but it can also quietly decide whose life gets changed. The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, sits down with Stanford Thompson, founder of Play On Philly and executive director of Equity Arc, to talk about the... more

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Recent Guests

Dorothy Lawson
Cellist, Canadian, co-founder and artistic director of ETHEL
ETHEL
Episode: "Playing Outside the Bach(s)" - An Interview with Cellist Dorothy Lawson, Artistic Director and Founding Member of ETHEL
Ole Akahoshi
Cellist and faculty at Yale School of Music, Manhattan School of Music Prep Division
Yale School of Music; Manhattan School of Music Prep Division
Episode: "Building One Measure at a Time" - An Interview with Cellist Ole Akahoshi, Assistant Professor, Yale School of Music
Tommy Mesa
Cellist, faculty at Manhattan School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
Episode: "No Drums, No Frets" - An Interview with Cellist Tommy Mesa, International Soloist, Faculty, Manhattan School of Music
Inbal Megiddo
Cellist, Associate Professor and Head of Cello Studies at the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington
Episode: "Bach from the Land of the Haka" - An Interview with Cellist Inbal Megiddo, Associate Professor, New Zealand School of Music
Melissa Kraut
Cellist, faculty at DePaul University School of Music
DePaul University School of Music
Episode: "Sit Happens: From Suzuki to Systems" - An Interview with Cellist Melissa Kraut, DePaul University School of Music
Ilya Finkelshteyn
Cellist, principal of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra since 2009
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Episode: "In Time and In Tune" - An Interview with Cellist Ilya Finkelshteyn, Principal of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Johannes Moser
International soloist and chamber musician
Episode: "The 3 Cs of a Lasting Career: Curiosity, Commissions, & Communication" - An Interview with Cellist Johannes Moser, International Soloist and Chamber Musician
Ellen Hendriksen
Clinical psychologist and author working at Boston University's Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders
Boston University's Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders
Episode: "Auditions, Anxiety, and the Myth of Flawless Playing" - An Interview with Clinical Psychologist, Ellen Hendriksen
Rainer Eudeikis
Principal Cellist of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Episode: "Low Notes, High Stakes, & No Time to Waste" - An Interview with Rainer Eudeikis, Principal Cellist of the San Francisco Symphony

Host

Joel Dallow
Host of The Cello Sherpa Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 103 ratings
  • Trusted Guide and Source of Motivation

    The Cello Sherpa Podcast is an inspiring and practical resource for musicians at every stage. The show blends Joel’s own hard-won experience with insights from a wide range of musicians, experts, and special guests. Each episode tackles real issues while keeping an encouraging, down-to-earth tone that makes listeners feel supported on their musical journey. By weaving together high-level artistry with candid advice and personal stories, Joel is a thoughtful interviewer and has created a podcast ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stanford Leon
    United States7 months ago
  • It’s like a great piece of music itself

    If you are a musician of any description and especially if you are a cellist, this podcast is a must in your musical journey. The caliber of information is 2nd to none (Just look through the guest list!) Where else can you hear from the greats in our profession and with such professionalism. Joel is amazing! His contribution to our cello ecosystem is amazing. I have listened to every episode at least twice. This podcast is like a great piece of music itself. Every time you come back to it, you l... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Clay McKinney
    United States10 months ago
  • I love the interviews with cellists. Really appreciate that there are interviews with orchestral cellists, haven't seen much of that elsewhere. I listen to it every week as soon as it comes out.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    shfkcog
    2 years ago
  • Great for parents of music kids!

    This is a great podcast, but what I appreciate most is how Joel always asks the guests how they got their start, if they are from a musical family, what practice looked like for them as a kid and how they felt about their parents help in their journey. As a parent who is very involved with practice, it’s nice to hear that so many of these amazing players mention how helpful parents were. It’s encouraging to hear that this may be a good path because generally I feel like we need to let kids figur... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JenTejada
    United States3 years ago
  • Awesome!

    I love this podcast! I think it is done very well.

    The only couple of things I would change is this: make it more exciting, and play some of the music that that guest plays as an example of what kind of player they are.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    genevieve mercer
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find episodes valuable for understanding early career decisions and practice strategies.
Audience appreciates high-caliber guests and practical career insights.
Listeners praise the show as a trusted, motivational resource for musicians.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Playing Outside the Bach(s)" - An Interview with Cellist Dorothy Lawson, Artistic Director and Founding Member of ETHEL
Q: What advice would you offer to young musicians considering a career in music?
Follow your dream and be true to your heart. Treat music as a deeply personal inquiry, develop a strong artistic voice, get excellent training, and build diverse skills (instrumental, singing, composing) to stand out. Your relationships and ability to create opportunities will matter as much as technical prowess.
"No Drums, No Frets" - An Interview with Cellist Tommy Mesa, International Soloist, Faculty, Manhattan School of Music
Q: What was your approach to competition preparation and what should young musicians know about it?
Preparation, consistency, and soulful interpretation are essential; enter competitions to improve, not just to win, focusing on communication and growth rather than the prize.
"No Drums, No Frets" - An Interview with Cellist Tommy Mesa, International Soloist, Faculty, Manhattan School of Music
Q: So you grew up in Miami. How exactly did you end up with a cello in your hands?
I started with drums but ended up in orchestra by accident; after trying to switch out of band, I ended up in the cello section, grew into it through mentors, and fell in love with the instrument.
"Bach from the Land of the Haka" - An Interview with Cellist Inbal Megiddo, Associate Professor, New Zealand School of Music
Q: What was the reason you chose to take on recording all six suites and how did you find your voice within Bach's tradition?
It's monumental but doable; there are many existing recordings, so I decided to contribute my perspective, exploring the personal voice and the freedom in interpretation rather than rigidly following a single model.
"Bach from the Land of the Haka" - An Interview with Cellist Inbal Megiddo, Associate Professor, New Zealand School of Music
Q: Well, that album sounds intimidating; do you have any idea how many people have recorded the Bach Cello Suites?
There are hundreds, if not more, and each recording is completely different, which is part of the beauty of Bach; I chose to add my own voice to that continuum.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Cello Sherpa Podcast

What is The Cello Sherpa Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful series focused on the career paths, practices, and personal journeys of professional cellists and music educators. Episodes explore topics like audition pressure, the realities of orchestral life, balancing family and performance, the role of digital presence and teaching, and culturally engaged projects in modern classical music. Notable strengths include a guest roster of world-class performers, educators, and composers, plus a consistent emphasis on career development, resilience, and practical advice for aspiring musicians. The show often blends performance insight with behind-the-scenes career guidance, making it useful for listeners aiming to advance in music—whether as performers, teachers, or industry professionals.

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How many listeners does The Cello Sherpa Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Cello Sherpa Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Cello Sherpa Podcast:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Radio Atlantic
3. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
4. Classical Music Happy Hour
5. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast

How many episodes of The Cello Sherpa Podcast are there?

The Cello Sherpa Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 138 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Cello Sherpa Podcast?

Recent guests on The Cello Sherpa Podcast include:

1. Dorothy Lawson
2. Ole Akahoshi
3. Tommy Mesa
4. Inbal Megiddo
5. Melissa Kraut
6. Ilya Finkelshteyn
7. Johannes Moser
8. Ellen Hendriksen

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