We had the good fortune of connecting with Stefanie Izzo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stefanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I found that I was not as inspired by some of the concerts being presented in our genre in the local community and thought “I bet other people fee this way. Why don’t we just create the thing we would be interested in as attendees and see if we’re right?”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a classical musician, sometimes the only career path that is presented in conservatory training focuses on the large, elite performance venues and companies. But I think that everyone’s idea of success should look different. I tried to fit myself into the “traditional path” box, and found I didn’t quite fit and was very exhausted by the prospect of constantly adjusting what I wanted artistically for some small semblance of “recognition.”
I’ve always been interested in the music that hasn’t been played, the people whose works are not always considered standard repertoire. I started researching the music of women in college, and it sparked something in me that I was not always able to foster in some of the more prestigious gigs I landed. So I decided that I wanted to start my own thing. I affectionately refer to Clara Schumann as my “gateway drug.”
Not only do I find joy in the discovery of music, but I love sharing it with others, whether they are music nerds or not. In fact, sometimes I think of myself as a cultural ambassador, breaking down barriers and demystifying the art form for those who maybe don’t engage with it regularly. Many of the more intimate, less formal concert programs I have put together feel like greater artistic achievements for me, personally. I enjoy putting together programs, having that artistic control, and sharing the things I like in the hopes that others will feel the same.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have moved four times within the same ZIP code because I love my neighborhood in Astoria Queens so much. Some of my favorites in the area include:
– Bacon egg & cheese (with the hashbrown inside) from Comptons deli
– Checking out the Jim Henson exhibit and any temporary showings at the Museum of the Moving Image
– Free concerts and fireworks in the summer on the great lawn at Astoria Park
– Greek feast at Agnanti on the park
– Shopping at Lockwood or Astoria Bookshop
– Grabbing fresh baklava on Steinway Street
– Enjoying some trivia at local spots like Olivers, Singlecut and Bier & Cheese Collective (you can play every night of the week in a different spot!)
– Rotating sculpture selection at Socrates Sculpture Park, and if the weather’s nice, taking the ferry around just for fun!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m very thankful for the advice and feedback from my husband. He supports me 100% and wants me to succeed, but I also know I can trust him to give me his honest opinion and practical advice, even if it’s not always what I want to hear. We need people like that in our lives!

Website: https://www.astoriamusicproject.com

Instagram: isingforsupper / astoriamusicprojectnyc

Image Credits
Carmen Rubio for waterfront photo, all others @AstoriaMusicProject

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