Sunday Baroque Conversations 130: Thorgy Thor

Sunday Baroque Conversations 130: Thorgy Thor

Author: Suzanne Bona January 28, 2025 Duration: 21:06
From the time she was very young, Thorgy Thor (née Shane Thor Galligan) was an outgoing bundle of energy. Her parents signed her up for a variety of activities, including sports and music, to keep her engaged and to burn off some of that excess energy. Developing skills playing violin, viola, and cello led Thorgy Thor to major in music at The Hartt School (CT), and at SUNY Purchase (NY). After graduation, she was a playing and teaching music by day, and finetuning her skills as a drag queen, ultimately leading to her co-creating her program Thorgy and the Thorchestra. She now tours with her show, which ranges from classical orchestral music to pop favorites, to perform with orchestras all over. Thorgy Thor spoke with Suzanne about the power and importance of music in her life.

Behind every piece of music is a person with a story, and that’s where Sunday Baroque Conversations finds its rhythm. Host Suzanne Bona, familiar to listeners of her Sunday Baroque program, sits down with professional musicians who have dedicated their lives to their art. These aren’t just casual chats; they are deep, personal explorations of what it truly means to live a life in music. You’ll hear celebrated artists discuss the specific pieces that first ignited their passion, the formidable challenges of mastering centuries-old techniques, and the quiet triumphs that happen offstage. This podcast pulls back the curtain on the discipline and heart required for a performing career, offering a genuine, often surprising, look at the individuals behind the instruments. Each conversation feels like an intimate backstage pass, revealing the inspirations and vulnerabilities that fuel these exceptional performers. For anyone curious about the human dimension of classical and baroque music, Suzanne’s thoughtful interviews provide a rich and rewarding listen. You can find Sunday Baroque Conversations by searching its title in your favorite podcast app.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Sunday Baroque Conversations
Podcast Episodes
Sunday Baroque Conversations 119: Morgan Sullivan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:16
Morgan Sullivan came to singing later than many other professional singers do. Nevertheless she has achieved success as a freelance musician who has performed with numerous top tier ensembles, including Bach Collegium Ja…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 118: Frederick Ballentine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:16
Frederick Ballentine is an American tenor whose awards include a Grammy for his recording of George Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS. The opera star exudes a sense of ease, confidence, and fun when it comes to his career as an…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 117: Shawn Okpebholo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:00
Award-winning musician Shawn Okpebholo earned his degrees at the prestigious University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. But he credits his start in music to The Salvation Army church, where he received free…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 116: BLKBOK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:15
From the time he was just a small child, Charles Wilson III – aka BLKBOK – showed extraordinary musical talent. The budding piano virtuoso's family nurtured his interests, which blossomed to include many genres of music:…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 115: Jessie Montgomery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
"Being an artist is living a life of service." The words of Jessie Montgomery, who has earned acclaim, awards, and praise for her growing body of work as a composer, violinist, teacher, and activist. The musician credits…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 114: Kellen Gray [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
Scotland-based American conductor Kellen Gray is Assistant Conductor of the English National Opera and Assistant Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He's attuned to the orchestral repertory, including Bel…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 113: Brandon Patrick George 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:06
Grammy-nominated flutist Brandon Patrick George is a member of Imani Winds and has appeared as a soloist with soloist with the Atlanta, Baltimore, and Albany symphonies, American Composers Orchestra, and the Orchestra of…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 112: Melvin Chen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:30
As a music lover, you may be familiar with Melvin Chen for his recordings of piano music by Dmitri Shostakovich or Ludwig van Beethoven. He put his double degrees from The Juilliard School to work as Professor in the Pra…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 111: Mahan Esfahani [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:30
Acclaimed harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani - the first and only harpsichordist to be named a BBC New Generation Artist, and the youngest ever recipient of the Wigmore Medal – is an outspoken and passionate advocate for his…
Sunday Baroque Conversations 110: Loki Karuna [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:00
Loki Karuna (formerly Garrett McQueen) began his life in music as a bassoonist, earning degrees in music and performing in orchestras. His passion for music and justice propelled his career as a musician, leading him to…