Episode
She Was Supposed to Be a Doctor. Now She Conducts at Carnegie Hall
- Published
- May 14, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2060
- Processing state
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Summary
Marie Bucoy-Calavan, the Artistic Director of the Choral Arts Society of Washington , joins The People You Meet in Old Town podcast to share her remarkable journey from a Filipino immigrant household to the conductor's podium at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. Marie recounts how parental pressure to pursue medicine or law gave way to a deep love of music, and how a mentor's belief in her at age 21 set her on the path to earning a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Marie explains why Washington, D.C. is a "choral mecca" — home to a thriving ecosystem of choral ensembles — and highlights the incredible venues across the region where live choral performances come to life. She also speaks passionately about musical education for young children , the Mozart effect, the Suzuki method, and hidden classical music gems in beloved children's shows like Bluey and Danny Go . And she shares what it means to lead the Choral Arts Society to Carnegie Hall for the concert, From Darkness to Light . Timing: 00:00 A Baton and Harmony 00:59 Meet Marie Bucoy-Calavan 01:03 How We Met in Old Town 01:32 Finding the Conductor Path 04:11 Arts Career Doubts 05:37 From Piano to Many Instruments 08:53 Empathy for the Orchestra 09:57 Doctorate and Training 11:10 DC as Choral Mecca 12:33 Best Venues and Joining Choirs 14:45 Carnegie Hall and New Programs 15:59 Kids and Early Music Exposure 19:39 Singing Toys to Choirs 20:05 Kids Chorus Options 21:42 Danny Go Movement Songs 23:24 Bluey Classical Easter Eggs 27:07 Taylor Swift Parallels 29:11 Live Performance Stamina 30:33 Handling Mistakes Onstage 32:00 Old Town Lightning Round 33:27 Closing Thanks and Culture Around Old Town and beyond: • Maman: 500 King St | mamannyc.com | IG: @mamancafe • Café d…