Sophia and Derek take you for a spin with music by John Adams and stories from the driver's seat, featuring guests Ry Shorosky and Nathan Swartz. Buckle up!
Today on American Stories, photographer and long-haul trucker Ry Shorosky tells us how he survives fifteen-hour days on the interstate and reflects on how life on the road sharpened his eye as a photographer. Adventurer and father of four Nathan Swartz gives us a peek at what it's like to be on a non-stop family vacation and what it takes to commit to a one-of-a-kind lifestyle.
And we take you through Road Movies for violin and piano, written by composer John Adams in 1995.
Learn more about our featured guests here:
About us:
Sophia Stoyanovich is a violinist originally from Bainbridge Island, Washington. Born into a family of artists, Sophia seeks to develop projects that cultivate empathy through exploring identities. A graduate of The Juilliard School, she has performed internationally, including soloing with the Seattle Symphony. In 2014 she traveled throughout Vietnam with the About Face Foundation, teaching at schools and orphanages. She is also communications director and violinist of The Versoi Ensemble, an international chamber ensemble dedicated to cultural diplomacy through chamber music. Derek Wang is a New York-based pianist and communicator who is guided by the value of committed listening in musical and social spaces. He is a graduate student at The Juilliard School and member of the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble at the Aspen Music Festival and School. He appeared on an NPR Tiny Desk episode in 2018 as emcee for From the Top. He has played family concerts alongside the animated short film collection Magic Piano and the Chopin Shorts in the U.S., Mexico, and on tour in China.
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