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I've been a full-time concert pianist now since March 2021, so it's been a couple of years,

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and it's all I do. I mean, I teach a very, very, very little bit. So all of my work is dedicated

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towards building, managing, learning repertoire, that sort of thing. We are thrilled to kick off

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the new year with an exciting episode titled, Redefining Classical Music, Innovation, Breaking

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Barriers, and Forging Own Path. This episode features Claire Lungendeich, a visionary concert

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pianist and recording artist pushing the boundaries of classical music. Renowned for her artistic

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ferocity and innovative approach, Claire's career includes captivating solo performances,

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dynamic chamber collaborations, and orchestral engagements across the globe.

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My artistic mission is to cast light into the corners of the classical music where

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light doesn't get cast enough. So for me, that's the work of women, past, present, future,

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the work of artists of color, past, present, future, and then the work of creators in general

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who can't be put in a box. The work of people that audiences have never heard of, or works

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by famous people that audiences have never heard of. In this episode, Claire reflects on her

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whirlwind fall 2024 season and her piano solo album, Of Dreams Unveiled, which debuted at

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number two on the Billboard classical charts, featuring works by Claude Debussy and contemporary

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composers like Amy Williams and Anthony R. Green. She shares her journey to building a thriving

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performance career and offers insights on women in classical music, embracing vulnerability,

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and connecting with audiences. The reason I call myself a self-starter is because I have built

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a village around me of people who will do anything to support me. They will make tax deductible

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contributions to support CDs. They will fly to New York to hear me play. I have people flying from

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Minnesota, Indiana, all across the Eastern seaboard and Seattle to come hear me play at Carnegie Hall

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because they think it's a big deal and they want to hear what I have to say on that stage.

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And that's where I've invested my energy and my time because I've had nothing handed to me,

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but I know how to ask for things. And that's where I've, in building this circle of trust around me,

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that's how I feel that I've been successful. You know, I know that this season is a lot about

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vulnerability, so I'm going to be extreme. Vulnerability is my superpower, I like to say.

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I know you mentioned that.

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I love and hate being vulnerable as much as anybody. So I'll tell our listeners and you.

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Claire will also reveal exciting news only for the PianoPod listeners during this episode,

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so don't miss out. Tune in on Tuesday, January 14th at 8 p.m. Eastern time on YouTube for this

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inspiring conversation. The audio will also be available on all major podcast platforms.

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Claire's journey exemplifies courage, vision, and innovation in classical music.

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Let her story spark inspiration for your own artistic journey.