PODCAST · arts
Conducting Parkinson's Conversations
by Conducting Parkinson's
I'm Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson's Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson's Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite—it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation!Through this podcast, I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors and musicians with PD; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.
Episodes
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Jill Pfluke
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations,Thomas Verrier speaks with Jill Pfluke, a longtime violinist and educator whose love of music has remained constant throughout her life. Jill has performed at venues including Ruth Eckerd Hall and at Tampa’s International Holocaust…
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Paolo Tatafiore
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier talks with Paolo Tatafiore. Paolo is an Italian-born piano virtuoso, composer, and teacher who began his musical training in his native Naples. During his successful career, He performed throughout Europe and the United…
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Alistair Scott
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with Alistair Scott, a gentleman whose story is an inspirational reminder that it’s never too late to learn something completely new.With no prior training, he took up the clarinet in his early seventies. Three years...
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Alan "Otto" Compton
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations,Thomas Verrier speaks with Alan “Otto” Compton. Alan, a percussionist, grew up playing in marching band, studied music in college, and was a member of Star of Indiana when the drum and bugle corps won a world championship in 1991. He later...
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Bob Regan
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier’s guest is Bob Regan. Bob began his career as a recording artist and session guitarist—eventually performing as a guitarist on the Grand Ole Opry. Songwriting brought him some of his greatest recognition. Since coming to...
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Robert Dunham
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with his longtime friend and fellow conductor, Robert Dunham. In the early 1990s, they both taught instrumental music in the same Southern California school district before moving on to higher education. Robert…
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Samuel Smith
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier’s guest is Samuel Smith. Samuel is a London-based singer-songwriter whose thoughtful lyrics, rich vocals, and Americana-inspired sound have earned acclaim in both the UK and the United States. After being diagnosed with...
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Rich Gootee
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier talks with Rich Gootee. Rich is a Nashville singer, guitarist, and award-winning songwriter whose career has spanned decades. He is recognized for writing contemporary Christian music, including Petra’s hit “Just Reach Out.”...
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Dr. Alfonso Fasano (Part 2)
This episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations is Part 2 of Thomas Verrier’s two-part conversation with Dr. Alfonso Fasano, an internationally recognized neurologist and movement disorders specialist who is also an accomplished jazz pianist. In Part 2, Dr. Fasano shares his perspectives on...
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Dr. Alfonso Fasano (Part 1)
This episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversation is Part 1 of Thomas Verrier’s two-part conversation with Dr. Alfonso Fasano, an internationally recognized neurologist and movement disorders specialist who is also an accomplished jazz pianist. A specialist in deep brain stimulation, Dr. Fasano...
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Dawn Rose
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier visits with Dr. Dawn Rose. Dr. Rose is a prominent music psychologist and senior researcher whose pioneering work explores how rhythm and music can be used to manage movement and improve the quality of life for individuals...
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Kelly Corcoran
In this episode, Thomas Verrier speaks with Kelly Corcoran. Kelly is a professional conductor who, among her many accolades, was the associate conductor of the Nashville Symphony for nine seasons. Kelly also holds a master's degree in public health and today serves as a social scientist at...
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Gilbert Long
In the latest installment of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier visits with his longtime colleague from the Blair School of Music, Gilbert Long. Gil is a world-class tuba player who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2018. Now retired from both Vanderbilt University and…
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Fabio Dwyer
In this first episode of Season 2 of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier talks with guitarist Fabio Dwyer. Fabio’s journey with early onset Parkinson's disease has been defined by resilience and the pursuit of new possibilities. Following his diagnosis, Fabio chose to undergo…
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Ethan Henderson (Part 2)
Previously, Conducting Parkinson's reposted a YouTube video of Clayton Henderson, a pianist with severe Parkinson's symptoms. When he begins to play piano, we see that his symptoms completely disappear. This two-part episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations is with Clayton’s son, Ethan...
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Roger Frisch
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, the guest is violinist Roger Frisch. (My apologies for inadvertently introducing Roger as "Robert.") Roger is a distinguished violinist and former associate concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra. After building a celebrated career, he...
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Denise Bacon
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with Denise Bacon. Denise is a dedicated clarinetist and amateur musician who has Parkinson’s Disease. She gained international recognition for playing her instrument during deep-brain stimulation surgery at King's...
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Daphne Bryan
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, the guest is Daphne Bryan, PhD. Daphne is the author of MUSIC AS MEDICINE and PARKINSON'S AND THE B1 THERAPY. An experienced musician and researcher, she explores how music can support neurological health—especially in people with…
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Tony Coffey
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with Tony Coffey. Tony Coffey is a musician and songwriter whose distinctive voice and heartfelt storytelling shine through songs deeply informed by his experience living with Parkinson’s disease. His work blends...
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Craig McKenzie
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with Craig McKenzie, Associate Director of Bands at the University of Miami. Craig’s mother has been on the Parkinson’s journey for thirty years, and Craig’s thoughtful insights into caregiving and how PD impacts one’s...
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Joe Stemnock
In this first episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations for 2026, Thomas Verrier speaks with Joe Stemnock. After receiving his PD diagnosis in 2017 and retiring as a middle school teacher in 2018, Joe pursued his dream of becoming a songwriter and recording artist. Joe is a true…
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William Bing
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with conductor and trumpeter William Bing. Now retired and 10+ years into his journey with Parkinson's Disease, Bill's positive outlook is inspiring. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from…
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Priscilla Weaver
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier talks with Priscilla Weaver. Pricilla shares her story and discusses the significant role that piano playing and walking playlists have had in her daily fight against Parkinson’s disease. If you are a musician with…
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Jonathan Cannon: Revisited
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson's Conversations, Thomas Verrier visits again with Dr. Jonathan Cannon. This time, they discuss experiences dealing with tempo and review some relevant research. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we...
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Teresa Muir
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson's Conversations, flutist Teresa Muir shares the story of her 21-year journey with Parkinson's Disease. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will…
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Concetta Tomaino
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, I speak with Dr. Concetta Tomaino, executive director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Music_and_Neurologic_Function)(IMNF). A past president of the American...
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Colleen Bridges
In the latest episode of Conducting Parkinson’s conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with Colleen Bridges founder of Bridges for Parkinson’s and director of Rocksteady Boxing in middle Tennessee. "Colleen is a true inspiration; I speak from firsthand experience! In our conversation, Colleen...
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Bernhard Spirig
In this episode, retired music teacher, Bernhard Spirig speaks candidly about how his emotional health impacts his Parkinson’s symptoms and how making music positively affects his sense of well being. Featured performance of "Lueget vo Berg und Tal" from Swiss Suite for cello and piano by Fabian...
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Ethan Henderson (Part 1)
Previously, Conducting Parkinson's reposted a YouTube video of Clayton Henderson, a pianist with severe Parkinson symptoms. When he begins to play piano, we see that his symptoms completely disappear. This two-part episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations is with Clayton’s son, Ethan...
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Jonathan Cannon
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Dr. Jonathan Cannon discusses some theories regarding the positive effect that the aesthetic experience of music making has on my PD symptoms. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we…
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Don Peterson
Don Peterson, retired conductor of the Brigham Young University Wind Symphony, joins the podcast to compare notes, as well as to discuss the double-edged sword of Parkinson's and retirement. ABOUT DON: Dr. Don Peterson’s music career began as a young trumpet player in Salt Lake City. He received...
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Phil Aguglia of PaGu Batons
Revered baton craftsman Phil Aguglia, owner of PaGu Batons, joins Thomas Verrier for a trip down memory lane of when the two collaborated on Verrier's custom baton. ABOUT PHIL: Phil Aguglia’s passion for music was ignited as a student in the City of Buffalo School Public School system learning to...
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Rand Laycock
Rand Laycock, known for receiving the groundbreaking Deep Brain Stimulation surgery with Cleveland Clinic, joins Thomas Verrier to discuss the impact of this treatment on his conducting journey. Dr. Rand Laycock is a retired high school orchestra conductor and the current music director of the...
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James Morgan
British conductor James Morgan joins Thomas Verrier to discuss his journey to diagnosis, navigating the stress of conducting with Parkinson's, and musical preparation strategies. ABOUT JAMES: James initially worked at English National Opera and then went on to conduct operas for Glyndebourne…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
I'm Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson's Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson's Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite—it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation!Through this podcast, I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors and musicians with PD; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.
HOSTED BY
Conducting Parkinson's
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Conducting Parkinson's Conversations have?
Conducting Parkinson's Conversations currently has 34 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Conducting Parkinson's Conversations about?
I'm Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson's Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson's Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite—it has given me a strong sense of...
How often does Conducting Parkinson's Conversations release new episodes?
Conducting Parkinson's Conversations has 34 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Conducting Parkinson's Conversations?
You can listen to Conducting Parkinson's Conversations on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Conducting Parkinson's Conversations?
Conducting Parkinson's Conversations is created and hosted by Conducting Parkinson's.
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