We’re featuring National Symphony bassist and Peabody Institute faculty member Ira Gold on today’s episode.  Ira was one of the very first interview guests for the podcast, and we spread it out over three episodes: 15, 18, and 43.  This “round two” interview was conducted almost a decade after the first conversation, and Ira has been incredibly active with all sorts of new projects.   In this interview, we talk about physical fitness and how it helps with all aspects of life, making the transition to standing full-time, what Ira listens for on an audition committee, wanting to make music with people who share the same musical values, how being a "curious person” opens yourself up to new experiences in playing, practicing techniques, turning practice into puzzle solving, and many other topics.   We also talked about the three summer camps at which he’ll be teaching: DCBass Peabody Bass Works Orchestral Bowing Workshop   You can learn more about Ira and all his activities on his website.  Enjoy!