Hannah Boissonneault shares the winding path that led her to music school—one filled with detours, self-doubt, and ultimately, resilience. In this excerpt, she recalls the first time she met a working composer, how one supportive teacher helped her take the leap, and why it took persistence to find her place in the composition world. Her story is a powerful reminder that there’s no single right way to begin a life in music.

micro/Maker episodes release every Tuesday and Friday!

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micro/Maker is a production of Loose Leaf Transmissions: Made for All Ears.

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Chris Opperman’s career defies categorization. From video game soundtracks to jazz, rock, classical, and experimental projects, he thrives on variety—taking inspiration from Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, and Carla Bley in continually evolving his voice. He shares how hyperfocus, single-tasking, and even a “six-minute rule” help him balance composing, orchestrating, teaching, and running his label—while keeping his creative practice energized across every style.

micro/Maker episodes release every Tuesday and Friday!

Listen to music/Maker with Tyler Kline wherever you get podcasts, or at musicmakerpodcast.com.

Support Loose Leaf Transmissions on Patreon at patreon.com/LooseLeafTransmissions.

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micro/Maker is a production of Loose Leaf Transmissions: Made for All Ears.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Composer Mahdis Golzar Kashani shares memories of discovering music as a child in post-revolution Iran. In this excerpt, she describes how early improvisation at the piano opened the door to composing, even as formal training and musical resources were limited. With the encouragement of her mother, Kashani began creating pieces that blended her natural musical instincts with the sounds she heard in classical piano repertoire.

micro/Maker episodes release every Tuesday and Friday!

Listen to music/Maker with Tyler Kline wherever you get podcasts, or at musicmakerpodcast.com.

Support Loose Leaf Transmissions on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/LooseLeafTransmissions. Follow us on social media @loose.leaf.transmissions.

micro/Maker is a production of Loose Leaf Transmissions: Made for All Ears.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Ague reflects on the early moments that shaped her path as an arts critic — from a life-changing childhood viewing of Spirited Away, to writing an extra credit essay in high school that sparked a love for interpreting meaning in art. She talks about her long-standing connection to Miyazaki's work and the importance of recognizing criticism as its own creative act.

micro/Maker episodes release every Tuesday and Friday!

Listen to music/Maker with Tyler Kline wherever you get podcasts, or at musicmakerpodcast.com.

Support Loose Leaf Transmissions on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/LooseLeafTransmissions.

Follow us on social media @LooseLeafTransmissions.

micro/Maker is a production of Loose Leaf Transmissions: Made for All Ears.

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A scholarship took James May to Ireland—and changed his creative life completely. In this conversation, he recalls how studying experimental sound practice at University College Cork opened his ears to new ways of listening, performing, and creating. From free improvisation to extended vocal techniques, James shares how that year taught him to trust instinct over tradition and to see music as something far broader than notes on a page.

micro/Maker episodes release every Tuesday and Friday!

Listen to music/Maker with Tyler Kline wherever you get podcasts, or at musicmakerpodcast.com.

Support Loose Leaf Transmissions on Patreon at patreon.com/LooseLeafTransmissions.

Follow us on Instagram: @loose.leaf.transmissions

micro/Maker is a production of Loose Leaf Transmissions: Made for All Ears.

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For Yue Song, composing always begins with a feeling—a fleeting sound, image, or story that sparks curiosity. From there, it’s about experimentation, not for novelty’s sake, but as a way of keeping music alive. In this conversation, Yue reflects on balancing respect for musical tradition with an openness to new forms, and how every composer plays a small part in the long history of sound.

micro/Maker episodes release every Tuesday and Friday!

Listen to music/Maker with Tyler Kline wherever you get podcasts, or at musicmakerpodcast.com.

Support Loose Leaf Transmissions on Patreon at patreon.com/LooseLeafTransmissions.

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micro/Maker is a production of Loose Leaf Transmissions: Made for All Ears.

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Joshua Mallard breaks down what it really means to collaborate in creative industries — from game audio to classical commissions. He and Tyler talk about how making music for interdisciplinary teams flips the lone-genius composer stereotype on its head, and why work-life balance becomes the next frontier for working artists.

micro/Maker episodes release every Tuesday and Friday!

Listen to music/Maker with Tyler Kline wherever you get podcasts, or at musicmakerpodcast.com.

Support Loose Leaf Transmissions on Patreon at patreon.com/LooseLeafTransmissions.

Follow us on Instagram @loose.leaf.transmissions.

micro/Maker is a production of Loose Leaf Transmissions: Made for All Ears.

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Anna Huffka talks with Tyler Kline about how her Japanese heritage and design sensibility influence her approach to beauty. She shares why the concept of iki — celebrating imperfection with intention — resonates more than chasing unattainable ideals. They also touch on Japanese beauty trends and the thoughtful attention to detail that defines them. For Anna, it’s about making people feel seen by embracing what makes them unique.

micro/Maker episodes release every Tuesday and Friday!

Listen to music/Maker with Tyler Kline wherever you get podcasts, or at musicmakerpodcast.com.

Support Loose Leaf Transmissions on Patreon at patreon.com/LooseLeafTransmissions.

Follow us on Instagram: @loose.leaf.transmissions

micro/Maker is a production of Loose Leaf Transmissions: Made for All Ears.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.