Music Makers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When you know, you know! From the moment she first heard about the harp at just four years old, Emily Levin decided she simply had to play it — and she didn’t stop asking until her parents finally found a teacher nearby. Flash forward to 2015, when Emily became the youngest principal harpist in any U.S. orchestra after winning her position with the Dallas Symphony. Now in her tenth season with the DSO, Emily reflects on what a decade in the job has taught her — both on stage and off — in this episode of Music Makers. We talk about the importance of connecting with audiences (including one memorable Pilates-class encounter with a fan!), and the passions that inspire her beyond the harp — from woodworking and crafting cocktails to spending time with her dogs, Charlie and JoJo.I hope you enjoy getting to know Emily 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.