The Alphorn Podcast
by Robert Brazelton & Sean Slatter
The Alphorn is a unique and ancient art form that adorns mountains across the world with its sacred tune. In this show we explore the instrument, its history and seek to bring awareness to the tradition of the Alphorn so we can advance its legacy for future generations.
Episodes
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How to Care for Your Alphorn
ALPHORN PLAYERS—ARE YOU TAKING CARE OF YOUR HORN?! Your alphorn deserves some TLC! This week on The Alphorn Podcast, Sean sits down with Brandi and Lindsey Jones from Silver and Brass in Carson City, Nevada, whose shop has manufactured over 200 alphorns! 🎶 They’re sharing how to care for your...
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The Alphorn Project
🎙️ SPECIAL CROSSOVER EPISODE! We are thrilled to share a fantastic episode featured on The Horn Call Podcast by the International Horn Society! In this episode, Stasia Forsythe Siena and Dr. Katy Ambrose sit down for an inspiring discussion all about The Alphorn Project! 🎶 Episode Highlights -...
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The Tahoe Alphorn Experience, the Santa Fe Alphorn Festival, and the Alphorn Project
Stasia Siena is one of the leading subject matter experts of the Alexander Technique (AT) for musicians and the architect of The Alphorn Project. A classically trained opera singer, Stasia has taught AT for more than twenty-five years in universities, conservatories, and master classes in the…
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Melanie Oesch
🇨🇭 Melanie Oesch ist zu Gast im Alphorn Podcast. Ein Gespräch über Jodel, Alphorn, Familie und den Mut, ein Lebenswerk loszulassen, bevor Oesch’s die Dritten sich auf ihre letzte Tournee verabschieden. 🇺🇸 Melanie Oesch joins The Alphorn Podcast. We talk yodeling, the alphorn, three decades of...
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Dr. Noa Kageyama - The Bulletproof Musician
Dr. Kageyama is a performance psychologist. He works with musicians around the world to apply sports psychology principles to music. Born in Marysville, Ohio, he began playing violin at age two. He later studied violin with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, the founder of the Suzuki method. Dr. Kageyama holds…
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Nikolette (Nikki) LaBonte
🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Featuring Nikolette (Nikki) LaBonte! 🎶 (Note for listeners: Due to a technical glitch, our recorded intro was cut, so this episode jumps straight into our conversation with Nikki!) In this episode, we sit down with Nikolette (Nikki) LaBonte—a professional French Horn artist,...
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Stephen Saxon
🎙️ NEW EPISODE SHOWCASE: Featuring Multi-Instrumentalist & Vocalist Stephen Saxon! 🎶 Stephen Saxon is a professional trumpet player, vocalist, cantor, composer, and alphorn artist. He is a member of Alphorns SF, and he has been a member of the San Francisco Klezmer Experience / KlezX,...
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Jim Hopson
🎶 THIS WEEK ON THE ALPHORN PODCAST: JIM HOPSON! 🎶 Get ready for an incredible conversation with Jim Hopson—a professional alphorn, trombone, and tuba artist, world-renowned composer, and educator from Vancouver, British Columbia! 🇨🇦🎺 Jim is currently on faculty at the University of British...
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Ciera Alkhoury
🎶🇨🇭 From the University of the Pacific to the Swiss Alps… this is an alphorn journey you won’t want to miss! 🇨🇭🎶 On this episode of The Alphorn Podcast, we’re excited to feature Ciera Alkhoury! Ciera Alklhoury is a student at the University of the Pacific where she is studying horn...
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The 2026 Midwest Alphorn Retreat
🏔️🎶 The 2026 Midwest Alphorn Retreat! 🎶🏔️ Dr. Peggy DeMers and Bill Rose provide an overview of the 2026 Midwest Alphorn Retreat! Peggy is a professional alphorn artist, composer and author of the translated version of A.L. Gassmann's "Little Alphorn Book." Bill is a professional alphorn...
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Dr. Natalie Grana
🎶 Dr. Natalie Grana! 🎶 Dr. Natalie Grana is a professional alphorn and French Horn artist, author, and educator. Dr. Grana is on faculty at DePaul University, Loyola University, Lake Forest College, Cormont Horn Camp, the Windy City Alphorn Retreat, the Alphorn Project, and the Alphorn...
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Ann Ellsworth
🎶 Meet Ann Ellsworth—an extraordinary musician whose passion for the French Horn, Alphorn, and Wagner Tuba has taken her to remarkable stages around the world! Ann is a professional French Horn, Alphorn, and Wagner Tuba artist. The Huffington Post called her premiere of a piece for Alphorn...
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Kevin Rieke
Meet Kevin Rieke! 🏔️🎺 Kevin is an entrepreneur, a member of the Leavenworth Alphorns (AANA's 2025 Organization of the Year), and a student of Dr. Natalie Grana. A native of Leavenworth, WA, Kevin owns The Hat Shop and The Wood Shop in downtown Leavenworth. When he’s not working, he enjoys…
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Bernhard Scully
Bernhard Scully is one of the world's most accomplished horn artists. He is an international soloist and pedagogue, Professor of Horn at the University of Illinois, a former member of the Canadian Brass, Principal Horn of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Solo Horn of the North Country Chamber...
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Cormont 2026- Week 2
With Sean out of the country, the Alphorn Project team at Cormont Horn Camp—Sadie Glass, Stasia Siena, and Natalie Grana—sat down to recap Week Two of camp. They were joined by one adult camper and one high school camper, who shared thoughtful insights and firsthand alphorn experiences from the...
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Cormont 2026 Week 1
Alphorns at Cormont Horn Camp! Sean sat down with Stasia Siena to recap the first week of alphorn activities at Cormont Horn Camp, currently underway at Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, New Hampshire. From classes, coaching sessions and rehearsals to the unique experience of playing in New...
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James Downs
It’s been a while! 👋 But we are BACK with another Friday podcast episode! 🎙️✨ This week, Sean sits down with James Downs from the Sierra Alphorn Players to talk all things alphorn, music, and community. You won't want to miss this conversation! 🎧 Listen now https://www.alpensong.com/...
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Hazel Dean Davis: Harvard • Juilliard • Brevard • Boston Symphony Orchestra • The Alphorn Project
Hazel is a professional French horn artist and a founding member of The Alphorn Project. She is a faculty member at the Boston University School of Music and the Longy School of Music. Hazel spends her summers as a faculty artist and teacher at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina and…
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Dr. Molly Gebrian: Learn Faster, Perform Better, A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing
Dr. Molly Gebrian is a professional violist with a background in neuroscience. She is the author of Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing. Holding degrees in both music and neuroscience from Oberlin College and Conservatory, New England Conservatory of...
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Sadie Glass and The Alphorn Project
This week, we are thrilled to sit down with one of today’s leading natural horn artists, Sadie Glass! Assistant Professor of Horn and Brass-Percussion Program Director at the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific, Sadie is also one of the four inaugural university faculty...
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Peggy DeMers
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible contributions of Dr. Peggy DeMers to the alphorn community! 🏔️🎶 Dr. DeMers is a renowned professional alphorn artist, composer, author, and a celebrated Champion of the Festival International de Cor des Alpes (FICA) de Nendaz. As the founder of the...
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The Creative Process with Laura Nelson
We are thrilled to welcome back the incredible Laura Nelson! 🎙️✨ In this week’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on Laura’s CREATIVE PROCESS. As one of the most prolific composers in the alphorn world, Laura shares what she does to get the creativity flowing and gives us a sneak peek into...
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Michael Gelb
Michael Gelb is an award-winning author of 18 books. He is a practitioner of the Alexander Technique (AT), a subject matter expert on creativity, genius thinking, and human potential. His bestselling books include: Body Learning: An Introduction to the Alexander Technique, How to Think Like...
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Dr. Jonathon Stillman
We’re heading to the West Coast for this week’s episode! 🎙️🏔️ Sean sits down with Dr. Jonathon Stillman, a man whose expertise spans from the lecture hall to the Swiss Alps. Dr. Stillman is a Professor at San Francisco State University and U.C. Berkeley, but when he isn't teaching, he is a...
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Janet Mano and Kevin Rieke
We’re heading to the heart of Leavenworth this week as Sean chats with Janet Mano and Kevin Rieke. Janet is a professional alphorn artist and the President of the Leavenworth Alphorns, while Kevin—a career entrepreneur and second-generation Leavenworth native—serves as an officer for the group.…
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Laura Nelson
Wait... is this thing on? 🎙️😅 We had a few technical gremlins jump into the studio this week! Please excuse the minor audio/upload issues with our latest episode. Thanks for sticking with us while we get things back in harmony! 🏔️✨ Despite the glitches, we are so excited for you to hear from…
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The Alphorn Project
60+ Alphorns. Major Universities. One Mission. 🏔️🎶 This week on the podcast, we’re talking about The Alphorn Project, developed by the amazing Stasia Siena. We’re highlighting Sadie Glass’ incredible program at the University of the Pacific and how she’s breaking new ground with her brass...
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Kate Axtell
Kate Axtell is a professional alphorn artist and one of the original members of AANA’s 2026 Organization of the Year, the Sierra Alphorn Players. In 2026, Kate established the Imagine Alphorns You Tube Chanel and the 30-Day Alphorn Challenge. Kate’s alphorn journey is remarkable. She tells the...
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Daniel Fuertges
Daniel Fuertges is President of the Peoria Harmonie-Concordia, Music Club. Harmonie is the largest organization within the German American Central Society. The club traces its roots back to 1850. Daniel is also the Founder of the Peoria Mid-Winter Alphorn Workshop, the Manager and a performer of...
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Exploring the Alexander Technique & the Alphorn Project with Stasia Forsythe Siena
Stasia Forsythe Siena is a leading subject matter expert in the Alexander Technique (AT), a method used by thousands of artists and athletes worldwide to enhance performance, prevent injury, and improve overall coordination. She is also a classically trained opera singer, author, and alphorn...
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Brandi and Lindsey Jones of Silver and Brass Music
Brandi and Lindsey Jones are global alphorn thought leaders. They have manufactured over 200 alphorns in their shop located in Carson City Nevada. They have also written hundreds of alphorn pieces which are being performed all over the world. Their group, the Sierra Alphorn Players have recently...
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Alphorn Association Of North America
Sean, Robert and Sonja discuss the newly formed AANA which stands for the Alphorn Association Of North America. They discuss it's origins and the plans for the future. If you are interested in getting involved with AANA, please reach out to [email protected]. Alpensong.com...
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Peggy DeMers
Sean, Robert and Sonja Reynolds meet with Peggy DeMers. They discuss Peggys most recent accomplishment of her English translation of the A. L. Gassmann’s s’Alphornbüechli, Blast mir das Alphorn noch einmal! Commonly known as the bible of the alphorn. Links mentioned in the episode. The Little...
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Nendaz Recap
Sean & Robert discuss their experiences performing for the international alphorn competition in Nendaz Switzerland and also discuss recent alphorn events, including The North American Alphorn Retreat. The North American Alphorn Retreat We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong
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Windy City Alphorn Workshop
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Windy City event! It was great to see all of you. If you missed out on this event, but want to catch us later this year, visit our website to learn more about upcoming events! Catch us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more updates! Links mentioned…
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Jim Esswein
Following his graduation from the Ohio State University, Jim worked as a band director with Columbus Public Schools from 1969 until his retirement in 2004. Jim bought his first alphorn while he was on tour in Austria with a German choir. After playing solo alphorn for several years, he started...
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Annette Cox
From her bio: "Annette was born in Cardiff and at the age of 8 decided she wanted to play the trombone but was told that her arms were too short. She is eternally grateful for that teacher’s wisdom and began playing the horn instead, rapidly progressing through the local youth ensembles and...
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Bill Rose
In this episode, Bill discusses how he discovered his love for the alphorn, the McNeese Alphorn group, how he gets young adults and kids interested in playing the alphorn, points of inflection, and his process for composing alphorn music. Visit the Alphorn Institute website here! Find Bill's...
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Season 2: Sean & Robert
We are excited to be launching season two of the Alphorn podcast. In this episode we discuss everything listed above, but fun digressions include: the Wasatch mountain peaks, Robert and Tony's adventures with creating mouth pieces, Sean's endeavors to create composite alphorns, plans to play the...
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Alexandre Jous
Alexandre Jous is an accomplished alphorn player as well as an ardent explorer. Alexandre's passion is taking the alphorn to new heights, quite literally by climbing some of the largest mountains in the world and playing his alphorn atop of those peaks. In this episode we learn about his journey...
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Hubert Hense
Hubert Hense is a world renowned maker of exceptional Alphorns and he has been crafting these expertly made Alphorns since 2003. In this episode, Sean and Robert explore his story of why he decided to start making Alphorns and also discover what makes these unique instruments so special. Hubert's...
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Brian Priebe
In this episode, Robert & Sean meet again with Brian Priebe and discuss with him about his experience's of being an instructor at the North American Alphorn Retreat both this year and in previous years. https://www.alphornretreat.com We want to thank our sponsors ANNA and Alpensong
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Monica Hambrick & Jim Hopson
Sean & Robert meet with Monica Hambrick and Jim Hopson during the North American Alphorn Retreat. In this episode, they talk about their experiences as being instructors at the North American Alphorn retreat over the years and what kind of projects they might have in the future. The North…
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Brandi & Lindsey Jones
Brandi & Lindsey Jones are the owners of Silver & Brass Music Shop in Carson City NV, an instrument shop that specializes in restoring and selling vintage brass instruments. They both are very talented musicians and began their alphorn journey just a few years ago. In this episode, we learn about...
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Tony Brazelton
Sean & Robert meet with Tony Brazelton during The North American Alphorn Retreat and discuss all things alphorn. Tony has been a shepherd of the alphorn for many years, not only in playing the instrument itself but also in collecting and selling some of the best made instrument's in the world. In...
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Sean & Robert
Sean & Robert reflect on past interviews and discuss the topics that they found particularly interesting. They also talk about the upcoming North American Alphorn Retreat and forecast the vision of future alphorn events in North America. For more information on The North American Alphorn Retreat...
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Arkady Shilkloper
Arkady Shilkloper is a world renowned horn player and multi-instrumentalist. The list of groups he has performed with is extensive but to name a few, we have the Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow Art Trio, and Pago Libre. The list goes on. In this episode we learn about Arkady's story of...
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Jake Martin
Jake Martin is a talented composer, producer and songwriter. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2020, earning a bachelors degree in composition and songwriting. He has written music for multiple different podcasts, business's and artists in including his own act as a singer/songwriter....
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Monica Hambrick
Monica Hambrick is an accomplished freelance Alphorn player and teacher. She is also the founder of the Appalachian Alphorn Adventure located in the beautiful New River Gorge of West Virginia. In this episode we learn about Monicas teaching history and how curating Alphorn events are helpful in...
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Dr. Peggy DeMers
Peggy DeMers is a professor of Horn at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She studied music and horn at the Cincinnati Conservatory, earning her M.M, and at the University of Wisconsin earning both her B.M and D.M.A. In this episode we learn about her journey of becoming an...
About this show
The Alphorn is a unique and ancient art form that adorns mountains across the world with its sacred tune. In this show we explore the instrument, its history and seek to bring awareness to the tradition of the Alphorn so we can advance its legacy for future generations.
Hosted by
Robert Brazelton & Sean Slatter
Categories