>> The Louisville Orchestra has scored a big get and landing world renowned cellist Yo Yo ma for a musical experience.

I'm like no other inside the world's longest known cave system, Mammoth Cave National Park.

We have the details and some of the Kentucky artist specially selected for this musical adventure that's now on connections.

♪ ♪ Thank you for joining us for connections today.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Climb cellist Yo Yo Ma is joining the Louisville Orchestra and Louisville Chamber Choir for 2 free concerts inside Mammoth Cave.

The largest cave system in the world at the end of this month, according to the National Park Service Music has been an important part of Mammoth caves over 200 year modern history with classical musicians, choirs and contemporary artists composing and often performing their music inside the cave.

>> Louisville Orchestra Music director Teddy Abrams compose this events, music specifically for the cave and Yo Yo ma in mind KET Kelsey Starks spoke with the Tor project manager about this and the Louisville orchestras two-year tour across the state.

♪ >> The ambitious in Harmony.

Commonwealth Tour is a first of its kind.

No other orchestra in the United States has tried to take its music to so many communities within their state.

And Erica, dense for it is the tour's project manager.

We're so happy to have you here with us to tell you about it this just one of a kind experience.

Let's talk a little bit about these mammoth cave performances because everybody is talking about and the collaboration with famed cellist Yo Yo Ma.

Wow.

How did this even come about Teddy Abrams, our music director was doing a podcast and he was interviewing Yo Yo ma and Yo Yo was telling Teddy about his project, which is called our Common Nature and he visits various national parks.

And so as they were talking, he said, hey, are there any big national parks in Kentucky?

Teddy then said, oh, my gosh, there's mammoth caves.

And so this collaboration was sort of burst.

And Teddy has been spending the last year, immersing himself in the history and culture of the cave and it's going to be spectacular.

And he's been composing music through that experience in the cape, right?

Correct.

This is a music that Heaney has been writing for quite a while.

with Yo yo in will have 17 musicians, 14 singers from the chamber choir.

Some percussion us in some sort of surprise instruments.

That's all I'll say, And then we will be involving the park's folks as part of the have performance, which is really great because the national parks are sort of central to this whole thing.

Were there to celebrate the people, the place and they've been fantastic to work.

But tell us about the demand town.

How many people are trying to get these tickets, right?

So we ended up with 27,000 plus people entering a lottery.

And so you figure out of 1000 people get tickets.

Yes, oh, yes.

A lot of disappointed people.

However, I will to be on the lookout, we will likely be doing something in the amphitheater on that day in between those 2 concerts.

Thank you so much for being here.

And KET in mind if you didn't hit that lottery, you can still Performing with the Louisville, our orchestra.

It will cost you a little bit more, though.

They're performing for a benefit concert.

April 27th at the Kentucky Center and tickets for that.

>> Go on sale in March.

>> Thank you, Kelsey Starks.

We appreciate it.

Under the direction of conductor and composer, Teddy Abrams, Haley DeWitt, a speech language pathologist and singing voice specialist with the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences, Boyce and Swallow Clinic.

>> And Dylan Crane, all tag vocal scholar and nontraditional student and the College of Fine Arts have been handpicked to saying with the choir the day of the event, Haley talks about preparing for this unique experience and should give some voice training tips for some of us without singing chops as connections continues.

♪ Kelly, thank you so much for dropping by on this very exciting >> You know, we often talk about going to Mammoth cave to go Yeah, but not to enjoy a pretty much the most unique concert that could ever be So tell us about this.

Yeah.

So this is a project that I think has been in the works for quite some Teddy Abrams, this is really his brainchild.

So he's the director of the Louisville Orchestra is actually yes, he's the conductor He's also a composer.

He's also a clarinetist and a pianist.

He's kind of a renaissance man.

>> he had this amazing idea.

2 bring in the orchestra out into the community.

So this is part of a larger idea that he has about having orchestra go to different places all around the state.

And this Mammoth cave concert is kind of the spearhead of the whole thing.

And his idea was to have Yo Yo ma come and be kind of the start of the show right now is going to start wherever so I'm bringing in local talent to something that Teddy is really create and I've had the pleasure of collaborating with him in the past through Louisville Chamber Choir and our conductors can had a So we've got a number of projects with the orchestra in the past.

But I think because of my previous involvement with and some other gigs as well, he was interested in having some of us is part of this piece.

And so because of I and a number of other individual, 16 of us in total, we're invited to be part of this.

So this is Teddy's composition was his project so I'm really excited about it.

And Yo, Yo ma said yes, yes, and wind, right?

And this is really cool because actually already has history over the past several years.

As I understand it of going out into nature going into places like national parks and monuments and bringing his music to those spaces.

So this idea was really in line with what Yo Yo ma has already been really interested in for the past several years.

Right?

>> So by the time this airs on connections, our Sunday conversation show you will be starting.

This is like on the 23rd.

You'll be starting the actual rehearsals in the cave because we talked before we started taping about how do you know how it's gonna sound?

How do you prepare for an environment that has maybe some more moisture and is cooler and damp?

Tell us about the preparation for this.

Yes, so thus far, our rehearsals, they started in January.

Actually, we've had a little bit of a hate us.

>> We were rehearsing, Paris town hall in Louisville, which is it kind of looks like a cave, maybe if you could imagine it.

But it's certainly the environment is much different than the coup sticks are certainly not cave like it's comfortable and hide in nice and cozy and warm.

We did a little bit of walking about that space to get a sense of maybe time and movement.

But we haven't been in the cave yet and we will be the week of the performance.

I think starting on the Wednesday evening will be there for the first time and luckily, some of the people who've been preparing for this and planning the set design and the lighting and everything they spent hours and hours down in that cave and they've really gotten to know all of the spaces really intimately KET they've even set in there and just taking it.

And in silence, they've talked to the guys.

And so they've been sharing with us.

The performers, those stories and that information with us to help us connect before we actually get there in person as far as preparing for 54 degrees.

Ambient temperature.

I'm not sure I have performed in some really hot temperatures and some cold temperatures as So I think we'll be OK, but, you know, will be bundled up for sure.

And so tell us about that that we wouldn't the people who are fortunate enough to have secured tickets.

And I'm so I'm happy that I did not get my tickets.

>> But you all will be dressed rather warm way and even preparing with gloves the before you actually may be.

Use your string instrument, you know, you'll take them off before and tell us about this.

Yes, so the instrument, unless have been encouraged to wear gloves whenever they're not playing.

KET those fingers nice and warm and limber.

>> The orchestra's providing us with hand warmers.

So have the probably have those in my shoes to know And of course, the people attending or probably going to need to bundle up, too, I think it's about a quarter mile that they're walking from the beginning of the piece to the place.

Where will stop to do the rest of the What do you know about where the actual location of the performances within the cave?

Why was it chosen?

And you know that?

>> I don't know a whole lot about the room, but I know what's called Rafa NAS call.

>> I'm not sure exactly why it's called A, but I'm hoping the week of will start to get a little deeper into that.

My understanding is it's one of the larger rooms within the and the hope they're being that the acoustic well allow for some really incredible things to happen.

Yeah, because you don't have to add up.

Thanks to Mike someone you think about things that you do when you're doing it for a televised performance, all of the wiring in and sound that goes into that.

But Mother Nature is going to be.

>> Your best audio tech here.

That's right.

And the other thing that's really cool about that, at least I think so is.

>> You're also getting the ambient sounds of the cave that are already there, right?

So usually you don't want extra sounds and a on this case.

I think yeah, will really enjoy hearing those sounds as part of the performance.

That's interesting.

I hadn't thought about that.

When you hear, you know, water dripping with a freaking noises and how you know, that's not going to be a distraction.

But even an enhancement of the performance Daschle said is that you think the music?

The that analogy of the music is going to be complimentary to the and keeps that in mind.

I imagine absolutely I've heard a little bit of some of the percussion part so far and I'm really excited to hear more of We're starting again on Sunday and even in some of the parts that it has written, there are some very natural types of sounds that the percussion is creating.

>> We even have water moving and some tubs.

We have a percussionist making a really rocking kind of thunderous sound that involves a rope in a towel.

It's so creative.

And it does really bring in some of those organic I mean, I'm getting chills, just dissed.

>> Hearing you talk alone and I know it's going to be a just a fantastic thrill for you all.

So tell us your role in your part and how you came to be involved.

>> Yeah.

So being with the Louisville Chamber Choir of been a soprano and that group for.

>> It's since the since its inception since.

>> 10 years ago, which is crazy for me to think about.

And I've been really deeply involved in that group in a lot of my close friends are part of that group.

And we've been so fortunate to have Teddy be a real advocate for us.

And he really loves to utilize us for various performances.

And so I've done a number of other things with him.

And with the Caroline Shaw's brush to have a really cool performance there in Bernstein's Mass was a really big performance that we did several years ago.

So we formed a relationship over time and can had a burg are conductor of Louisville Chamber Choir reached out and said are you interested in this?

And I said, oh, absolutely great so any chance I get to kind of supplement my professional life with the singing that I love to do and try and take that.

>> So tell us about your professional life.

>> Yes, so I am a speech language pathologist.

I work at the University of Kentucky's voice and Swallow and I'm a voice specialist primarily.

I also work with the singing voice because that's my first background.

And I and another colleague of mine.

>> Work a lot with people who use their voice.

So even people like you who work on television, teachers, doctors, lawyers who ever and also singers, of course, people from all walks of life.

We try to get them using their voice in a way that's working for them.

And when they have problems that can come see us.

Well, that's interesting.

We talk about other professions than those just being vocal artists, all broadcasters, etcetera, coming to.

So give me a tip.

one tip for one easy.

All right.

Should section Week that we use is resonant voice, OK?

And that's the concept that we like to forward focused way swimmer speaking in.

This also lends itself all the singing, but this sensation of a nice >> and if you do name, you might notice a little sensation.

Hopefully somewhere in the front of your face right?

And that's a good thing.

>> We know the migration when the I mean still it right around your nasal cavity.

Yeah.

>> Beautiful.

You're already on it.

And so for a lot of folks, what they feel if they're having issues with their voice because that that voice is coming from down here that somewhere.

Yeah, maybe I'm squeezing.

Maybe I'm straining.

Maybe it sounds rough right?

But that is something that we use and we build on top of it over and over again until we get to conversation to get that resident voice.

So that was on the things that I work on almost every day with people.

That is so interesting because I can tell you that in like we're taping our conversation around 11, 30 and haven't gotten to the stress of the day.

Yeah.

Sure.

The big get to 4 o'clock.

5 o'clock show time at 5.30, or 6.

>> You can feel it just tightened up and you sound different because your morning for us.

But I do voice over work.

Let's do in the right?

So does that technique worked to just kind of relax because you can just feel it in your neck just tightening?

Yes, it absolutely should encourage a little bit of relaxation that one of the techniques we use for that is hey, tap into that resident voice too little check ins throughout the day, right?

I have people write down on a Post-it note, resident voice stick that somewhere where you'll see it and I going to come running a Yeah, but they're also all kinds of cool tips and tricks that we >> You know, even as crazy as it sounds, one of my favorite exercises involves >> Air into water through a straw.

>> And that does why it helps to balance out the way that your vocal cords vibrate and reduce tension and so kind.

works.

Yeah.

Haha doesn't run a look at how I was going to.

I think this would be an amazing story to do where we come visit you that what it is and get that demonstration.

Welcome anytime.

Well, thank you.

I'll take you up on that.

You're a Thank you so much.

I can't wait to see this.

We know that PBS will probably >> have some form.

It might be a little bit down the road, but we're just delighted.

And I'm so excited for you.

And I don't have to say break a leg what I do when you do that, literally by that, you don't need to lock, you got enough talent.

And I know it's going to be sensational.

>> Thank you so much really appreciate you inviting me here.

Yeah.

>> Stay tuned.

More connections coming up with all tech vocal star Dylan Crane also performing with Yo Yo Ma and Mammoth Cave.

Now he also gives us a sweet serenade.

You don't want to miss.

Stay with us.

♪ Dylan, thank you so much for being here for it to be here.

>> I think some of our K 2 crew spent some time with you tomorrow for game.

Yeah, huge.

Yes.

That front project.

Well, that's going to be on KET and PBS a little later on our nationally distributed later on.

Real quickly, just tell us about that experience.

>> Yeah, that was amazing.

I mean, you we did a gala style production which has opposed to a mainstay chopper, which is, you know, one story instead of character.

This was sort all the hits, you motivation of all these pieces and working with KET was definitely different.

You know, when you were good or hunt asked, >> But there's so much more to think about because, you know, normally on stage, do you think about this your place and how the audience audience receives it.

And so when you have that extra element of being a quarter for there's so much logistics that goes into it and, you know, there's there are so many KET Tech I mean, I can't imagine all the behind the scenes work that has to go into something like that and well.

>> They loved it.

So I'm jealous that I was not there for it, but I've heard nothing but great things.

Nothing but great things I'm hearing.

I know people are anticipating about this awesome event with Yo Yo Ma at Mammoth Cave in.

We just heard a Haley talk about this experience for her.

So talk about your role in this.

>> Yeah, my my role as I am, I'm Tara Joyce type.

And so there for people voice part.

>> And I I'm seeing the the principal for the for that intersection.

So that means there are some some.

So, sir, me some some folks on the first chair.

Okay.

Yeah.

That's a that's a for sure.

>> And so I I sang in Louisville for a long time, actually with Haley for many years.

doctor can have a better cause.

The director of the require.

And so when I got yeah, the phone call and say we've got this great lined up and we'd be curious if if you know if you're interested in, I said, oh, well, I'm sure, you know, depending on what I have, what's what's the music?

What's it like to do it?

You know, it's a good getting in Mammoth cave with the Obama said, yes, yeah, it doesn't yeah.

>> And you know us as the the process of all, if it turned out to be something that I didn't expect them, it's amazing sort of telling of the history of Mammoth and getting to be a part of so in January workshop, the peace with the with the composer and the conductor of the orchestra to the proms.

He was still in the process of finishing piece and so with us there, he was really able to see what was what was possible, but wasn't possible and to be a part of that, you know, normally as performers, you're not a part of that creative process, rightly so.

I think for for me, that was so enlightening to you know, all the but behind the scenes work that goes into that and I'm very excited.

Yeah.

>> And of course, it being in the cave.

And this is been a national treasure, but it's in our Glasgow near Glasgow, Kentucky.

I'm just thinking about talking to this about with Haley, about the acoustics there and how you as a vocalist prepare for an environment that you may not.

I don't know if you've ever performing okay have wants to be fair.

I And with that with the choir and in Croatia.

Haha.

So there's a sea cave.

>> The 2nd half Ventura, you know, I think that the >> the thing about Mammoth Cave is is it's so expensive.

Yeah, because this came for us.

>> All told the wall, you know, it's good compared to men.

And so I think that.

You know, we we processed through the cave to get to the main performance which send half a mile or my.

>> Yeah.

With the you know, with 100 people in between each use force Wow.

And so, you know, there's there's so much that goes into it.

I think extra musical elements, you know, as far as getting everyone in the cave in getting them and that's different in and of itself.

Just the procession of you ever done that before and not outside a >> You know, I I think that.

However they receive actual music, you know, and and it's a beautiful, lovely music.

But beyond that, it will be such an experience for everyone there.

You that.

I would say you need to get secondary to the Cape, but the whole experience is is is, you know, a part of history.

Absolutely.

Cut sheets and just throw in a little.

Yeah.

Yo Yo, yo ma.

I mean, you know, come on.

Let's let's furia amazing.

And so, you know, he's done this series of of projects >> I know Teddy has been affiliated in some way, but when he pitched the idea to go, you know, if you know your mom was like, yeah, let's do it.

Let's do it without is.

And that's what happens.

And I guess so.

You know, Louisville, so lucky.

So lucky enough to have all and have a conductor like Teddy who so willing to do, you know, new ideas and kind of experience will in and because the music is being composed with the environment absolutely as its it's stunning, you know, you can't get obviously the 150 piece orchestra like we would see him in concert hall.

Right?

So, you know, on he has so much to think about as far as logistics.

You know, how can we get the instruments down How can we get a performance instead in the space, you know, for him to work in?

I know he's visited it quite a bit throughout this process to.

But you have that had I not no haven't rehearsed their yeah.

The time that we talked about when this airs on on our Sunday connections, I think that's the week the 23rd that could be and we will be in we go back this that's surprising weekend and do You don't in just a rehearsal space.

Yeah, that we have about a week and a half last, I guess to to put it together in the cave.

So are you already practice saying, you know, for cue stick that nature acoustic, right?

I mean, how do you prepare before the 5 days leading up to the performance?

You know, I don't know if you can.

And so.

I do.

I practice in a ton of different spaces in general.

You know, I'm from the practice room, which is essentially, you know, its biggest base the church that I work at in the big call, which actually is very cavernous.

And, you know, you somebody to delay, you know, using and you don't hear it come back until 2, 3, seconds later.

All right.

And so, but then there's also the element of sticking 400 people in the cave that will s*** up some sound to it's who knows.

Yeah.

So exciting.

And that, you know, there's some anxiety that goes with that.

But again, the experience of of doing this in the cave overrides all of that, right.

And you think about the echo chamber of the right and not how as a performer you adjust to that kind of like here in the national anthem.

Absolutely right.

Like have, you know, not to be thrown off by that are waiting to catch up with your site, when you know, as far as a conductor goes, you know, they they do.

Yes, I speech couldn't commit to use and where that falls.

You know, you see it fall here in the you make a sound and you don't hear it until you know his his hands here in Seoul, Korea is donating.

All of that there was so much to those are going to be some attention.

Her son was like, yeah, absolutely.

Get your sleep now be on your game for sure.

Okay.

So could I impose on you to to does show us show us your chops, but you miss him.

I want you to say a little so the cave stuff is pretty Hit 6, something not so weird.

Yeah.

Okay.

Haha >> sure.

So there's an article in a 14, a lot of Pima Amanda Ghost.

>> go to the Mall?

>> e. >> Same brutal.

So obviously it's for different than the Kay Yow Ph.

Okay.

Okay.

So the cape.

So can I hear a little bit of the Cape >> I'm trying to think of what I can do out of context.

Okay.

So >> as you probably made, maybe the other right And I think that.

>> My my solo stuff, this is relatively the soprano has accuse each full sprint own.

She has 2 huge arias with I icing up specific folk song about Floyd 2 famous musical about Pecan tears actually a cave explorer.

Who who was trapped in the cave and died in the cave and there was a ton of news coverage.

There is.

I was like a 24 hour news cycle where they had a bunch of I can remember when exactly this was.

you know, such a huge story and there is an original folk song about Fort Collins and then he sort of incorporated into this piece and it goes >> o come all you young people and listen as the fate of Floyd Collins allied.

We all know well and you know, yoda's some folky stuff underneath it.

So it should be really well, you know, all of us who regret that we could not get our back in January because they so that just like that, I mean, you had to be lightning fast will look for on public media spaces because we know it's going to be phenomenal.

You're going to be phenomenal.

>> Haley is going to be phenomenal.

You know, you will be phenomenal.

And we know that good conductor will be the nominee.

Amazing.

Yeah.

Thank you so much here.

Appreciate the best of luck to you.

Thank you so much.

>> Thank you for joining us for connections today with special contributor Kelsey Starks.

We appreciate you KET up with KET public affairs team and our work by watching online are listening to our podcast and you can watch previous connections episodes at KET Dot Org, slash connections and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks so much for watching.

I'm Renee Shaw.

See you soon.

Take good care.

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