The Y Arts Podcast

Robin Smith and Jasmine Volante

On this show, we interview local artists from the Frederick area who are making an impact in their craft and artists who are involved with the YMCA Arts Center. We will explore their stories, ambitions, influences, exhibitions, and more together. As we highlight their experiences, you will learn who they are and what’s next for their careers. This podcast will provide a place to find talented creators. Thank you for listening.

Ep15 Scott Marceron

Scott Marceron began his music career at 12 years old as a bass player in his neighborhood. His musical passion led him to learn on his own how to book and play shows, manage his music business, and other behind-the-scenes challenges musicians face. With this in mind and inspiration from “School of Rock,” 2010 he and his wife founded their own school, “Let There Be Rock” in Frederick, MD to provide a hub for musicians and aid them in all said challenges. His school curates a space for students of any age to be themselves and rock on!

Ep14 Tad Achey

Tad Achey is a musician who is fully engaged with the Frederick community. He talks about his journey as a drummer playing with his band DaMood and performing his project, “Zootu.” Tad illustrates his recent experience performing on Carroll Creek for Alive at 5 and collaborating with others during the set. The musician promotes a sense of self and grounding as an artist and human.

Ep13 Tina Harper

Tina Harper is a proud mother and artist local to the Frederick area. With a background in preschool teaching and art, she designed a place for people to tap into their inner creativity and paint! She encourages everyone, even those without a “creative bone in their body,” to enjoy the services her business and studio, Dream Free Art, provides. Dream Free Art grants parties a chance to splatter paint on almost any surface which is open for all ages.

Ep12 Maddie “Maddog” Davis

Maddie “Maddog” Davis is an event coordinator for local Frederick music shows. Being heavily involved with D.C.’s Techno/House music culture, she aims to stretch this art to Frederick County. Basing her shows in Downtown Frederick’s local bar, Cafe 611, not only does Davis organize the performers of the showings, she also creates and organizes the art decor of these events. Davis and her “Mad Dog Fleet” work towards promoting a fun, loving, and respectful community for Frederick to enjoy.

Ep11 Sophia Townsend

Sophia Townsend is an artist and a Hood College student majoring in Art Therapy and Minoring in Graphic Design. She also works as an intern at the Frederick Arts Council.

Ep10 Maggie Kirkpatrick

Maggie Kirkpatrick is a self-taught photographer from the Frederick area who has been in exhibitions in town, won an award at the Delaplaine Arts Center in 2017, Area 31 in 2018, and focuses on constructing little worlds to connect emotions, creating evocative and meaningful work.

Ep9 Sarah Philabaum

Sarah Philabaum is a passionate multi-hyphenate artist. She is a director, choreographer, performer, teacher, podcast host and mother. She is the dance coordinator at the Y Arts Center, where she teaches and organizes the dance recitals.

Ep8 Elizabeth Chung

Elizabeth Chung is a native of Hong Kong, China. She studied Public Health at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu and gained additional education at Penn State. For 45 years, she has dedicated her work to minority health equity, social justice, and the local immigrant community. She founded The Asian American Center of Frederick and is currently the Executive Director. In addition, she chairs the Maryland Community Health Resource Commission.

Ep7 Justin Arroyo

Justin Arroyo has been making instrumental hip-hop for the past six years. He was inspired by surrounding himself with music, frequently through his parents while growing up. He was exposed to a lot of soul and old-school hip-hop. Throughout the years, he gained a deep appreciation for music, leading him to create his own.

Ep6 Shiloh Young

Shiloh Young is a local musician who has lived in Frederick their whole life. They play the guitar, sing and write songs. They are part of a band called Enclosure. They have performed with the Let There Be Rock School and various other groups around town.

Ep5 Jeff Cosgrove

Jeff Cosgrove is a decorated drummer and a father of two. He has been playing music his whole life. He moved to Frederick nine years ago. Jeff is a free jazz drummer and has released multiple albums and singles.

Ep4 Ari Voxx

Music has always been the love of Ari Voxx’s life. Her early influences were artists like The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Micheal Jackson. She gravitated toward singing after performing in various choral groups. Despite her roots being in soul, gospel and classical music she discovered her love for rock

Ep3 Bill Watson

Bill Watson is a visual artist born and raised in Frederick County. He is a fine artist who dabbles in painting, sculptural work, mural work, illustration and animation. On the show we will be speaking about his latest installation at the Y Arts Center.

Ep2 James Connors

James Connors is a Frederick local. He is an elementary school art teacher and sculptor. He graduated with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in  Baltimore. He graduated with an MFA from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. James has been showing his work at numerous galleries ever since.

Ep1 Elizabeth Chase

Elizabeth Chase who is a trained opera singer and a songwriter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She now lives in Frederick, Maryland. She is a Catholic Cantor and Country/Pop artist who talks about her story as a musician and performer.