I use my hands like a sculptor, to mold and shape the sound I want, to clarify.

The conductor is the artistic leader and sometimes cultural arbiter of his or her community. It is their leadership that is looked to and should anything go wrong, they are the persons taking most of the heat.

How could a New Yorker possibly take something called the Hollywood String Quartet seriously?

An orchestra knows during the first two minutes of the first rehearsal whether or not they are going to enjoy the person on the podium.

A music director cannot and should not be chosen on the basis of a first date. It is not so difficult to make a good impression with a single appearance, usually containing some of a conductor's party pieces, works they have performed successfully many times before.

Growing up in Hollywood, like I did, I have a passion and a love for the movies, so I go to the cinema all the time.

There's not an orchestra in the world that doesn't have weaknesses. None of us can play everything well. The repertoire is just too big.