Andrea Clearfield


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Published: Sep 16, 2009

Each salon operator interviewed for this story spent time and lent devotion to my slew of questions — much like they do at their salons. Below are some of their thoughtful answers not included in our feature.

City Paper: How do you decide on what you're booking? Do you go after them or they you?

AC: Both. I receive numerous CDs, links and requests from interested performers and I listen, evaluate and respond. Although most of the performers are seasoned professionals, I like to feature an emerging artist on each salon who I think should be heard. This could include a student string quartet from Curtis or Settlement Music school, a young soloist — I think the youngest was a 10-year-old piano prodigy preparing for an international competition — a budding singing/songwriter with an original voice. I also invite performers in Philadelphia or other areas whose performance or works have moved me and I want to introduce them to the salon audience. Sometimes touring artists contact me if they are coming to Philadelphia and we can schedule a performance while they are in town.

CP: What was your light-bulb moment?

AC: When I started in 1986, I think that the idea came as a natural outgrowth of a number of things. From a young age I was interested in the 19th-century European salons where music was performed in the home; composers could try out new works, people came together in an intimate space around the arts, there was a spark around collaboration with other artists. I was also always drawn to different kinds of music — having been trained as a classical pianist, I also played rock, folk, world music, and have also enjoyed various kinds of collaborative work, with artists, dancers, actors, etc. My parents are both amateur musicians; we played trios (I would play flute) and would invite friends to join us, so there was live music in the home growing up. I believe in creating community around artistic expression and this was something that I wanted to see happen; from the start, the support was very strong.

CP: Is this just a job — or a calling?

AC: It's definitely a calling. And I continue on because I enjoy doing it, the energy is high. There is a dynamic exchange between audience and performer. And I think people are hungry for this kind of alternative environment to hear music. Also, the salon is building community for new music and other styles of music, and this is rewarding to see.

CP: Does the work you present fall in line with your aesthetics? Or should that not matter?AC: Good question. I suppose that you could say that anyone who is curating a performance would have their aesthetic preferences reflected in the performance itself. All genres/styles are welcome to submit work for this salon and what I look for is quality, strength and commitment of artistic expression, no matter what the style/genre, and being able to communicate that expression through developed skills.

CP: Have you ever considered stopping?

AC: No, there has not been a true reason to stop. I remember in the very early days, in the old space on Spruce Street in the '80s, there was a basket that was passed around for donations and someone from the street was stealing the cash. The person was found after a few months and that issue has not reoccurred. I am actually quite moved by the respect and consideration that the audience and performers show my home and my team of helpers over the years.

CP: What has been the nicest interaction you've had with your fans and audience members?

AC: When people e-mail or write personal letters about their experience at the Salon; how for some it has improved some quality of their life, or they have been moved by a particular work or composer, or inspired to try something new as an artist or perhaps they met their future collaborator or husband.

CP: Highlights for this season?

AC: I am looking forward to bringing in artists that are new to the Salon such as musicians from the Tibetan community in Philadelphia, dancers Leah Stein and Nicole Bindler, a sax quartet of Ron Kerber, Jon Rees, Mark Allen and Ian O'Beirne; singer-songwriter Suzie Brown and out-of-town guests such acclaimed Argentine tango singer Maria Volente with Kevin Footer from San Francisco and Loren Schwerd, a visual artist from New Orleans who will create a collaborative work with local musicians.

(a_amorosi@citypaper.net)