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Endless Mountain Music Festival is celebrating the 17th year of concerts in the area this summer—17 shows in 17 days, with a concert each day at different venues.

I went behind the scenes for an interview with two musicians that have played for the past 17 years at the festival; Dr. Rebecca Dodson-Webster, professor of music at Mansfield University, and Gita Ladd, professor of music at Maryland University.

Noted by Mansfield University:
Dr. Rebecca Dodson-Webster was born in Apollo, Pennsylvania, and has previously taught at the University of Idaho and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Her academic interests include the study of contemporary repertoire for the horn, fitness for musicians, and the study of the music of indigenous cultures. A member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 60-471, she performs regularly in numerous orchestras and has released a solo CD on the Centaur label. She is also a member of the College Music Society and a member of the International Horn Society, serving on the IHS Regional Chapter Board of Advisors.

She received her DMABM from Grove City College, MFA from Carnegie Mellon University, and Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin.

She resides in Wellsboro with her husband, Don, and son, Hayne.

Noted by the Baltimore Sun as a “superb cellist” and heralded by the Washington Post as one “whose cello sings as poignantly as any voice, a defining glory,” Gita Ladd has been one of the most sought-after cellists of the Baltimore- Washington, D.C. area for almost twenty years. For most of that time, she performed as a titled member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, including several appearances as Principal Cello for the annual “Messiah” performances and at the SummerMusicFest Series. She has also performed as Principal Cello with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, the Baltimore Opera Company, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Post Classical Ensemble of Washington D.C., Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, and as Assistant Principal Cello of the Knoxville Symphony. Ms. Ladd has also been a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Pops and has played frequently at the Kennedy Center with various ensembles, including the Washington Opera, Washington Ballet, Washington Chorale, and American Ballet Theatre. Ms. Ladd has toured with Tony Bennett, Henry Mancini, Clay Aiken, and Mannheim Steamroller. She has performed with Renee Fleming, El Divo, Christina Aguilera, Vince Gil, and the Three Irish Tenors.

Ms. Ladd has a long-standing commitment to the education of young musicians. She was on the Peabody Conservatory faculty in the spring of 2002 and joined the UMBC faculty in 2006. Besides her cello studio, faculty recitals, and performances with the contemporary music ensemble, “Ruckus,” she has served as Director of UMBC Chamber Players and frequently appeared in many Baltimore area schools as a clinician, soloist, and coach.

Besides her musical talents, Ms. Ladd has devoted much time and energy to human service work at local agencies, through Anne Arundel Community College, and volunteerism at the Ordnance Road Correctional Facility.

Ms. Ladd holds a diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and has attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Through life and musical adventures, her husband, Kevin Ladd, supports her in all her endeavors!

Photography used in today’s broadcast, courtesy of Bob Bair.