The transcript to my 2025 interview with Canadian pianist and writer Heather Taves; the video, podcast and show notes are linked. Heather is also a composer, improviser, and educator.She spoke to me about her unique and inspiring Beethoven Journey, her popular weekly blog which she started in 2023 , paired with performances of all of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas. We talked about getting to know Beethoven as a person and her fascinating research about many women that are part of this history. We also talked about Heather’s work as an educator, developing creativity and approaching teaching music from different angles. She spoke about her mentors including pianist Gil Kalish and writer Diane Shoemperlen, and her experiences travelling around the world by herself. 

Yosuke Kawasaki is a wonderful violinist and the Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Canada. He spoke about his experiences studying with the legendary Dorothy Delay, the inspiration he found in many of his peers growing up, and we talked about his role as a Concertmaster and his advice for young colleagues entering the profession (and that advice I feel applies to anyone in their life!). photo credit: Rémi Thériault