Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sascha Groschang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sascha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I occasionally wonder what it’s like to have a regular job… I’ve never really had one, I was a barista in high school, but then I started playing and teaching the cello and I’ve never really looked back. Sometimes, when things get wild and stressful, or I feel like I’ve hit a creative wall or a professional speedbump, I threaten to reel it all in and work in a craft store or as a night stocker person… But in the end, I’d be bored. I love getting excited about new projects with other artists, I love making them come to life. I love the feeling of knowing I’ve put a show together, or created a whole new thing out of nothing, and I love attempting to put beauty into the world, and helping people to connect with something larger and more profound than the everyday.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Sascha Groschang, cellist, has performed extensively across the United States, Europe and Asia. She has appeared at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall numerous times, and gave her solo debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 2009. She has been a soloist and lecturer at the Thailand International Composition Festival, performed for the King of Malaysia with the Kuala Lumpur International Festival Orchestra, and traveled all across China on two tours with the Mantovani Pops Orchestra. She has shared the stage with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, The Eagles, Vince Gill, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Bublé, Peter Gabriel, Josh Groban, Sarah Mclachlan, Idina Menzel, Amy Grant and her recording credits include NBC, Atlantic, and Rhino Records.

Sascha is the cellist and co-composer of the alternative string duo, “The Wires”, which explores a variety of non-traditional string techniques and styles through original compositions. The Wires have released three full length albums and their music is published by Mel Bay International. After two years as co-hosts of the weekly show, Sound Currents on 91.9 Classical KC, exploring contemporary music from all over the world, The Wires are launching their very own podcast, Drunken Fiddles, in fall of 2023. They also have their own online school and in-person retreats, also entitled Drunken Fiddles, which focuses on teaching beginning fiddle styles to adult learners.

In addition, Sascha is principal cellist of NewEar Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, KC’s professional new music ensemble, dedicated to playing the works of living composers. In 2022, she joined the St. Petersburg String Quartet. Their accolades include a Grammy nomination, “Best Record” honors in both Stereo Review and Gramophone, a five-year residency at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and hundreds of concerts on many of North America, Europe and Asia’s most prestigious series and festivals. In the past year, the quartet has played concerts in Israel, Estonia, Germany, France, Kazakhstan, and the United States. In 2023, she also joined the Fountain City String Quartet, which performs across the midwest with classical and pop-crossover Candlelight Concerts. Sascha lives in midtown Kansas City with her husband, four Persian cats and two daughters.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I don’t know if this shows resilience or just luck, but I just thrived artistically during the pandemic. While most of my symphony work and other work for others was put on hold, I initially panicked. But then I worked – everyday – on my own creative pursuits. I wrote music, I created a radio show that got picked up on our local NPR station, I got published as a composer and arranger for the first time and I created my own concert series for the first time. I felt like it was the first time in my life I could actually devote as much time and energy to my own artistic outpouring, and it was a fabulous feeling that really paid off for me.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

For me, I get ramped up by combining (some of!) the business aspects of creative work and the actual artist output. That balance is exciting to me and sort of like a puzzle to figure out that keeps me on my toes. I also love collaborating with others. I don’t have a huge interest in projects that are just solo – I love exploring other people’s ideas and learning from them and using that as an inspiration in my own work and I hope that inspires theirs as well!!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cellolady.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sascha_is/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sascha.groschang/

Image Credits
Corey Martin, Paul Andrews, Paul Andrews