Podcast
Artifice
Hosted by Artifice Podcast by Emily Merrell · EN
Great art almost feels like magic—it opens our minds to brand new ideas, and teaches us to see ourselves and our world more clearly. Of course, behind all great art, there are artists. And that’s where the real magic happens…
As we go beneath the art itself to explore how different artists do what they do, we see glimpses of the sorts of creativity, resilience, and bravery that lead to the art that moves our world. And maybe we can learn to borrow some of that magic for our very own thinking.
Join professional musician Emily Merrell for conversations with artists of all kinds. Together, we examine the mysteries of our own experiences, our muses and fears, our gifts and foibles, our beliefs about the origins of creativity, and the secret magic we’ve discovered in our unique creative processes.
Mediums include: studio art, graphic design, dance, cooking, illustration, creative writing, storytelling, comedy, music composition, music performance, film making, acting, production, fashion design, photography, and more.
Visit https://emilymerrellmusic.com/artifice-podcast/ for more information.
- Theme Song "As You Are" by Emily Merrell @emilymerrellmusic
- Illustration and Graphic Design by Sarah Keele @sarahkeeleart
- Photography by Jen Palmer @jenpalmerphoto
- HMU by Shawna Turner @shawnaturnerdesigns
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 225: Chris Ramos
Nov 1802:05:01Tap to summarizeChristopher Ramos is currently serving as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He conducts the UVU Wind Symphony and directs instrumental studies within the music education area. He additionally teaches courses in conducting, music education, and music appreciation. He received the DMA in instrumental conducting at The Hartt School, studying with Glen Adsit and Edward Cumming. While at Hartt, he assisted in conducting Hartt's instrumental performing ensembles and the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble, and as part of the adjunct faculty he taught courses for graduates and undergraduates in conducting, brass methods, diversity and belonging, jazz pedagogy, and in the core music theory sequence. Before Hartt, Chris served as a band director at Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia where he taught Western classical and jazz music in performing and theory courses across grades 6-12, and his students were invited to perform in international festivals across Southeast Asia. He is also an active scholar working at the intersection of musicology, wind band studies, and music education with his latest publications forthcoming in the Music Educators Journal (NAfME) and the Utah Music Educators Journal (UMEA). In 2022 he received the Goldstein Award from the University of Hartford, and in 2016 he received the Joanne Kealinohomoku Prize from the Society of Ethnomusicology Southwest for his scholarship. He holds additional degrees from the University of New Mexico where he studied with Eric Rombach-Kendall, and from East Texas A&M University (formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce) where he studied with Phillip Clements (conducting), Luis Sanchez (piano), and Mike Morrow (horn). In addition to his conducting, researching, and teaching, he actively performs both on the French horn and at the keyboard. He has produced, performed, and conducted on records for the Naxos, Summit, and Parma record labels, and he has performed in and conducted ensembles in concert halls, stages, forests, and patios across the United States and Asia. An avid supporter of new music, he has been part of numerous commissioning projects for solo horn, chamber ensembles, and wind ensembles. He is a second-place winner in The American Prize for conducting and in 2025-27 he holds the Harry Begian Conductor Scholar Award at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He is an active member in the College Band Directors National Association, Utah Music Educators Association, Utah Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, American Musicological Society, and National Association for Music Education, and is an honorary member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity.
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Ep. 224: Wade Ronsse
Nov 1102:04:14Tap to summarize"Wade Ronsse is a touring drummer, private drum teacher, session musician, and a small but enthusiastic part of Boise, Idaho's vibrant music scene. He tours nationally with Americana/Jam troubadour Jeff Crosby and has been a part of many (mostly locally) well regarded bands, including Lounge on Fire, Wend, Sun Blood Stories, Freeman Dejongh, and Rider & Rolling Thunder. This more band-focused drumming has led to creative applications on projects spanning from heavy psychedelic rock, horn-driven R&B, psychedelic to avant-garde harp and string quartet experimental music, all the way to Honkey Tonk Country. His recording career is rooted in a deep appreciation for Boise-based musical creators, resulting in a small but cherished catalog of over 100 recordings with his favorite local musicians, collaborators, and friends. His 2025 record contributions include the surfy/twangy Day for Night with femme-fronted group Cactus Moon as well as the indie/folk and art rock Wait, Sky by Jesse Blake Rundle (released on DOE Records). When he's not behind the kit, Wade spends his time working on a small urban farm, taking long walks, reading and learning about mysticism and magick, consuming far too much Star Wars, and, of course, being a forever student of the drums." instagram: @darth_wade.r
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223: David Singer
Nov 402:08:02Tap to summarizeDavid Singer is an internationally acclaimed clarinetist whose career has included two performances at the White House and more than 150 appearances in Carnegie Hall. Joseph Horowitz in The New York Times wrote about David Singer, “To describe his playing would be to enumerate a catalogue of virtues.” Mr. Singer’s recording of the Aaron Copland Clarinet Concerto was praised by Lawrence A. Johnson from Gramophone Magazine in the UK as “one of the finest accounts around,” and his performances have been featured on the BBC and on Sirius XM as a principal performer of the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, NYC. Professor Singer taught as a guest teacher at both the Yale and Princeton Schools of Music as well as at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, and is Emeritus Professor of Clarinet/Coordinator of Chamber Music at Montclair State University, NJ. He continues to coach young musicians across Southern California and performs with the Singer Chamber Players and the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra. His debut memoir, From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall, chronicles his remarkable journey of overcoming obstacles and ultimately becoming successful in music and life. From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall has just been chosen among many ten’s of thousands of books to be part of the Los Angeles Public Library collection. “From Cab Driver to Carnegie Hall shows how effort and perseverance can turn dreams into reality.” “This book is a testament to inspiration and resilience.” Diana Lopez, Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review A Courageous Story of a Life in Music - This is an excellent view of an inspired life in the turgid world of classical music in the late 1960’s – 2000’s. Reading of his struggles and triumphs to reach the top of his field and survive is stirring. Baron, Five Star Amazon Review “An intimate, candid look at the highs and lows of one musician’s artistic pursuit.” Kirkus Reviews Links Website: https://singerclarinet.com https://singerclarinet.com/events-media/ https://www.facebook.com/singerclarinet
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Ep. 193: David Brenner
Dec 3, 202401:51:11Tap to summarizeWorking at the intersection of horticulture, art and architecture, David has applied his passion for plants to a growing list of innovative projects, building a broad variety of modern, human-centric spaces with abundant plant life at their heart. David is a pioneer in the field of vertical gardens. He holds a degree in Environmental Horticulture Sciences and Psychology from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo. He credits his time spent apprenticing at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, with setting him on the path to living wall design. It was at Kew that he came to appreciate the beauty of epiphytic plants—those which have naturally evolved to grow vertically on trees. David sees his work as an integral part of a public shift in consciousness towards a renewed desire for closeness with nature and an appreciation of the restorative effect of plants, especially in urban environments. For David, designing living walls affords the chance not only to promote awareness of native and endangered plant species but also to have a direct impact on quality of life. You can link back to the habitat horticulture site: www.habitathorticulture.com
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Ep. 195: Lauren Spangler
Nov 19, 202402:16:37Tap to summarizeIf you’re curious about the secrets of fulfilled creative living, then ask Lauren Spangler. As a creativity coach she helps artists bridge the gap between their boldest visions and their everyday reality. A painter, writer, and musician herself, as well as a wife and mom of two, Lauren’s mission is to empower artists to enjoy the creative freedom they crave without giving up their other roles and priorities. She has helped hundreds of professionals set and achieve their goals, and now she’s here to help you unblock your inner artist and take big steps toward your biggest dreams. Take the free "Spark or Sputter?" Self-Assessment at www.laurenspangler.com/spark and connect with Lauren on Instagram at @laurenspangler.
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Ep. 194: Kara Bussey
Nov 12, 202401:57:45Tap to summarizeKARA BUSSEY, FOUNDER, INSTRUCTOR AND MAKER (CALGARY) Meet Kara, a stained glass artist from Calgary, Canada. She creates unique 3D glass floral sculptures using stained glass, copper wire, and found objects. Leveraging her over 15 years of experience in communications and public relations, Kara uses social media to bring modern stained glass to the masses, bringing the fun with entertaining stained glass process videos and supporting the next generation of budding artists with her in-person and online classes in stained glass. When she's not creating, Kara loves to travel, be outdoors, and spend time with her two daughters and cats. You can find Kara's work on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @glimpseglass or glimpseglass.ca
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Ep. 192: Eriksen Dickens
Oct 14, 202401:30:59Tap to summarizeEriksen Dickens is an award winning filmmaker, actor, and business owner based in California. In 2016, Eriksen co-founded Platinum Peek Inc., with his brother, Soren, while in college. Platinum Peek is a video agency that specializes in creating story-driven video solutions for marketing, sales, and operations teams for clients around the country. In 2017, Eriksen directed his first documentary, His Legacy— a 2 hour film based on the life of his late father. Since then, Eriksen has directed numerous “legacy documentaries” for clients from all walks of life. These are films for accomplished people/businesses looking to preserve their story for future generations. His short documentary, Two Magic Drops, was featured in nine film festivals, winning best documentary at two. These legacy documentaries are formulated through a specific 7 step storytelling curriculum developed by the Dickens Brothers. Aside from filmmaking, Eriksen enjoys writing, having published his novel, The Orchard’s Offspring in 2018. He also has acted in numerous projects. Eriksen received his BA in Philosophy in 2017 and his MA in Clinical Psychology in 2021. Links: IG- @eriksenwdickens
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Ep. 191: Abby Shaner
Oct 7, 202401:33:03Tap to summarizeI’m Abby, the owner and creator of WoodSolStone studio located in Cincinnati, Ohio. My passion for plants and all things green has always been a part of my dna, so the organic way that this art came to be only made sense for me. I’ve always been a creative person and love the process of moss art. I use every bit of nature I find to create a magical like-living art to infuse the wonderful beauty of the outside world to your special spaces. Woodsolstonestudio.com Follow me on Instagram at @woodsolstone_studio And Facebook at @woodsolstonestudio
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Ep. 163: Drew Nichols RETURNS
Oct 31, 202302:03:30Tap to summarizeDrew Nichols, at age 4, received a police escort home while selling handmade puppets door-to-door. He later studied music composition at Arizona State, toured with ALW’s The Wizard of Oz, and worked for Weisersound as a keyboard programming assistant for Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Blvd, Les Mis, Cats, Miss Saigon, School of Rock, and NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live. Now, he's focused on integrating digital production/distribution and musical theatre development with the aim of democratizing, decentralizing, and expanding the industry. His show McCobb Mortality Services is streaming as an elaborate radio musical comedy on podcast platforms—visit McCobbMusical.com.
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Ep. 139: Stephen Hatch
Oct 19, 202201:40:20Tap to summarizeAt the age of 19, the perfect acting job came along. It was a very strenuous audition process. After months of searching the producers of Trolls 2 could not pass up on Steve’s talents. No seriously, they could not pass him up. They tried....they really tried but well they needed someone with minimal acting abilities and who was under four feet tall. Steve was offered the non-credited position to play one of the movie’s vital roles of a Goblin....ummm the movie rocked so much that it wasn’t even about Trolls! The rest of Steve’s life was average at best...I mean he did some politics, he was a journalist. Basically, he always ended up eating his family’s highly sought after confections. In 2003 Steve became one of the founding owners of “Hatch Family Chocolates” located in Salt Lake City. In 2010 Steve and his business partner Katie were featured on TLC’s “The Little Chocolatiers”. Steve has also been fortunate enough to act as an extra on such films as “The Lone Ranger” with Johnny Depp and “A Million Ways to Die in the West” directed by Seth MacFarlane. You can listen to Steve on the podcast “Your Cre8tivity”, where he has been honored to serve as a co-host for the last several years. Mr. Hatch is currently working on his new venture a made for YouTube/Facebook talk show called, “Short & Sweet. Most nights Steve can be found eating chocolates and tormenting customers up in the Avenues at Hatch Family Chocolates. Steve feels like he has the greatest job in the world where he gets to sample top-notch desserts all day long. Steve will always share that he is most proud of all the community and amazing friends who have made his shop the success it is. Most nights Steve can be found eating chocolates and tormenting customers up in the Avenues at Hatch Family Chocolates. hatchfamilychocolates.com Instagram: hatchfamilychoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hatchfamilychocolates
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