We’re staying engaged while staying apart! Get to know the Longwood Symphony musicians as our Executive Director, Bridget Brazeau, asks them about their careers, life with COVID, why music is an essential part of their life, and more.
Dr. Jeansun Lee, Immunologist and Cellist
Although we ran into some technical difficulties with the video, speaking with Jeansun Lee, PhD, a cellist in the Longwood Symphony, was a great way to wrap up this interview series!
Dr. Jeansun Lee is an immunologist with a background in computer science and combines both in her job on the scientific computing team at Vertex. Dr. Lee tells us about the huge role cello played in her rehabilitation after a serious illness and coma as a teenager, what's been keeping her sane when mostly stuck at home during the pandemic, and her current playlist: Mahler Symphonies 1 and 2 on repeat.
Stay tuned to the end to hear Dr. Lee perform the melody from the Largo of Dvorak's New World Symphony.
Dr. Thomas Sheldon, Radiation Oncologist and Oboist
Dr. Thomas Sheldon is a radiation oncologist and is an oboe player in the Longwood Symphony. We talk about his happy return to oboe after a 25 year hiatus and how his chance to play with the LSO almost got thrown in the recycle bin, the incredible developments in radiation over the years, and how being a musician makes Dr. Sheldon a better physician.
Dr. Jack Dennerlein, Engineer & Researcher of Ergonomics & Workplace Safety and Bassist
A bassist in the Longwood Symphony for over 30 years, Dr. Jack Dennerlein is a professor at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University, teaching and researching workplace safety and health with a focus on ergonomics. We chat about the ergonomics of playing bass (the largest string instrument), some quick tips for working safely at a computer, how his research has quickly adapted to COVID-19 workplace safety, and why he's been part of the orchestra for over three decades.
Dr. Leonard Zon, Director of Stem Cell Program, Hematologist, Oncologist and Trumpet Player
Dr. Leonard Zon has been playing trumpet in the Longwood Symphony for over 30 years. When he's not playing trumpet, Dr. Zon is the Director of the Stem Cell Program at Boston Children's Hospital and is a hematologist and oncologist. Dr. Zon talks to us about his research on zebra fish and how it translates to medicine, as well as sharing what's on his playlist (spoiler alert: it definitely includes Mahler).
Stay tuned to the end for a special musical tribute to our healthcare heroes!
Dr. Mark Gebhardt, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Clarinetist
LSO clarinetist, Dr. Mark Gebhardt, has been a part of Longwood Symphony for over thirty years. He is the Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in addition to practicing at Boston Children's Hospital, specializing in oncology.
We talk about the current challenges in the medical field, "band camp", how playing music heals him after the stress of working with serious cases, and his championing of women in the orthopaedic field.
Stay tuned to the end to hear Dr. Gebhardt perform the second movement of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto.
Dr. Psyche Loui, Asst. Professor of Creativity & Creative Practice and Violinist
LSO violinist Dr. Psyche Loui is the Assistant Professor of Creativity and Creative Practice at Northeastern University. She talks about her research, scanning brains, and weird toast - yes, you read that correctly, weird toast.
Stay tuned to the end of the video to hear Dr. Loui perform both violin and piano on a beloved classic, "Danny Boy."
Sam Wattrus, PhD Student at Harvard and Bassist
Sam Wattrus, LSO bass player and PhD student at Harvard Medical School, chats about his Zebra fish research, Animal Crossing, and how playing bass makes him a better team player.
Dr. Patricia Harney, Psychologist and Violinist
"Taking care of ourselves right now is a really important act of public service." -Dr. Patricia Harney
LSO violinist Dr. Patricia Harney is a psychologist and directs training programs at Cambridge Health Alliance. We chat about mindfulness in life and music, the power of vulnerability, "coffee" meditation, and the challenges of helping patients digitally while under stay-at-home orders.
Stay tuned to the end of the video to hear Dr. Harney perform an excerpt from Rachmaninoff's Vocalise.
Dr. Jennifer Zuk, Speech-Language Pathologist & Cognitive Neuroscience Researcher and Flutist
LSO flutist, Dr. Jennifer Zuk, PhD, EdM, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Boston Children's Hospital and Clinical Fellow in Speech-Language Pathology at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She's finding ways to make music creatively while apart and is finding hope and optimism through the perseverance of her patients.
Listen to the end for "Mother's Prayer", a collaboration with her husband Dr. James Guitterez and LSO violinist Dr. Psyche Loui, where Dr. Zuk both sings and plays flute.
Dr. Julie Reimann, Dermatopathologist and Cellist
Dr. Julie Reimann, cellist and dermatopathologist, discusses her life during COVID, studying cello at Curtis before pursuing a medical degree, making music virtually with Duo Amie, and suggestions on how to keep a normal routine when things are anything but normal.
Dr. Heidi Harbison Kimberly, Emergency Medicine Physician and Violinist
Dr. Heidi Harbison Kimberly, an emergency medicine physician, has been a violinist in the Longwood Symphony for over 20 years. Here we talk about her experience in the emergency department, communicating with patients through PPE (masks and face shields), and the best part of making music.
Dr. Rich Parker, Chief Medical Officer and Violinist
LSO violinist Dr. Rich Parker tells us about his weekly COVID columns, volunteering with the National Alliance for Mental Illness, the history of his violin, and reminds us that "the history of epidemics teaches us that they always come to end." Stay tuned for a little music, special guest Lulu, and a tour of his current isolation quarters!