full steam ahead - the podcast
Full STEAM Ahead is a new podcast series dedicated to uplifting and celebrating musicians, artists, and the venues that bring their work to life. Hosted by former radio personality and long-time friend Michelle Semerano joined by STEAM Fund co-founders Gary and Judy Siegel, the series aims to highlight powerful personal stories, promote upcoming performances, and shine a light on the creative heartbeat of our community. Full STEAM Ahead is streaming now on YouTube or available wherever you get your podcasts —with new episodes dropping weekly.
season 2 - episode #7
Classical music, music education, young artists, and the Shandelee Music Festival take center stage in this inspiring episode of Full STEAM Ahead. Gary and Judy Siegel welcome internationally acclaimed pianist, conductor, educator, and arts visionary Daniel Stroup for a conversation about building one of the nation’s premier summer classical music festivals and creating opportunities for the next generation of musicians. Now celebrating its 33rd season, the Shandelee Music Festival has become a cultural treasure in New York’s Sullivan Catskills, presenting world-class performances while launching the careers of exceptional young artists. Daniel shares the story behind the festival, the importance of mentorship, and why investing in arts education and emerging talent is essential to keeping classical music vibrant for future generations. Learn how the STEAM Fund’s Youth & Visiting Artist Outreach Program partners with the Shandelee Music Festival to bring internationally acclaimed musicians into schools and community spaces, inspiring students through the power of live music.
season 2 - episode #6
Broadway, filmmaking, acting, storytelling, and creative entrepreneurship take center stage in this exciting episode of Full STEAM Ahead. Gary and Judy Siegel welcome filmmaker, actor, entrepreneur, and storyteller Jeremy Shinder for a conversation about creativity, perseverance, and following artistic passion from childhood to adulthood. A professional actor since the age of four, Jeremy has appeared on Broadway in A Christmas Story: The Musical, toured internationally with The Addams Family, and built an impressive career in film, television, and theater. Today, he is also making his mark behind the camera as the founder of Jere Bear Films and creator of the award-winning short film Theo’s Tears, which has earned recognition at film festivals across the country. Tune in as Jeremy shares his journey from child actor to filmmaker, the inspiration behind his work, the creation of Jere Bear Films, and what he hopes audiences take away from the stories he chooses to tell.
season 2 - episode #5
Visionary art, illustration, jazz improvisation, and spirituality take center stage as Gary and Judy Siegel welcome artist, illustrator, musician, and visionary painter Mark Garro to Full STEAM Ahead. With a creative career spanning more than four decades, Mark shares his journey from creating iconic book covers to becoming internationally recognized for his deeply philosophical paintings exploring consciousness, evolution, duality, time, and the cosmos. The conversation also explores how Mark’s passion for jazz, saxophone, improvisation, and experimental music continues to influence his artistic vision and creative process, offering listeners an inspiring look at the intersection of art, imagination, music, and the inner universe.
season 2 - episode #4
Catskills arts, community revitalization, independent film, and immersive live events take center stage as Gary and Judy Siegel welcome Todd and Adrian Perlmutter, co-founders of the Parksville Arts Center, for a conversation about creativity and rebuilding community through the arts. After working together on the Blue Man Group “Megastar” tour, Todd and Adrian relocated full-time to Parksville, New York, where they launched the Parksville Arts Center as a nonprofit dedicated to music, theater, film, and community programming. The episode explores the inspiration behind projects like the Too Short To Suck (TSTS) Film Festival, the Parksville B’Kawk! Festival, and the Decrepit Ghouls Variety Show, while highlighting how the arts can reconnect communities, support local culture, and inspire new creative energy throughout the Sullivan Catskills and beyond.
season 2 - episode #3
Metal sculpture, stop-motion animation, and creative ingenuity take center stage in this episode of Full STEAM Ahead. Gary and Judy Siegel talk with Zac Shavrick—aka Zacmax—a New York-based artist who transforms scrap steel into animated sculptures full of personality. Based in New York’s Sullivan Catskills, Zac has been welding since age five, blending traditional metalwork with stop-motion techniques. He shares the story behind “Billy the Grim Reaper,” from raw scrap to its final polyurethane-coated form, highlighting the craftsmanship and creativity behind his work. Zac’s art has been featured in galleries nationwide. He’s also the founder of the Flashburn Metal Art and Music Festival and is launching Zacmax Studios, offering welding and blacksmithing workshops to grow the creative community. Tune in to explore the fusion of art, engineering, and imagination—and how scrap metal becomes storytelling.
season 2 - episode #2
Contemporary art, community engagement, and Catskill Art Space (CAS) take center stage in this episode of Full STEAM Ahead. STEAM Co-Founders Gary and Judy Siegel sit down with CAS Executive Director, Sally Wright to explore how art strengthens and connects communities. Located in Livingston Manor, NY, CAS is a vibrant cultural hub—featuring exhibitions, artist residencies, performances, and educational programs for all ages. Sally shares her journey from the Dia Art Foundation to leading one of the Catskills’ most dynamic creative spaces. Learn how CAS expands access to the arts with support from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts—and why connecting art, place, and people matters more than ever. Tune in for a conversation on creativity, culture, and community through art.
season 2 - episode #1
Guest host Paul Ciliberto joins co-founders Gary and Judy Siegel for the Season 2 premiere of Full STEAM Ahead, spotlighting the mission and impact of the STEAM Fund. Perfect for listeners interested in music education, arts access, and community development, this episode highlights key programs—including Arts in Education, songwriting, visiting artist outreach, youth initiatives, Social Emotional Learning, the Healthy Habits Initiative, Professional Development, and MOGAAT (Mission One Gig At A Time)—and their reach across the Sullivan Catskills, Hudson Valley, Southern Tier, and beyond, while showcasing how partnerships, performances, and grassroots support are expanding access to music and the arts and empowering creative communities.
season 1 - episode #1
Hostess Michelle Semerano talks with co-founders Gary and Judy Siegel about the story behind the STEAM Fund, how their passion for music and community service led to a mission of supporting musicians and artists, funding creative initiatives, and empowering local music programs. Perfect for listeners interested in supporting musicians and artists, music philanthropy, arts funding, and community programs, this premiere episode of Full STEAM Ahead showcases the STEAM Fund’s inspiring efforts to empower musicians, artists, and creative communities.
season 1 - episode #2
Perfect for listeners interested in jazz, creative music, musicians, music education, and music philanthropy, this episode of Full STEAM Ahead features hostess Michelle Semerano sitting down with legendary jazz drummer, composer, and educator Thurman Barker sharing his extraordinary musical journey. From his Chicago roots immersed in R&B, blues, and jazz, to performing with icons like Marvin Gaye and Cecil Taylor, Thurman reflects on rhythm, improvisation, resilience, and his decades-long impact on the world of music. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz enthusiast or discovering Thurman’s music for the first time, this episode offers an intimate look at innovation, legacy, and the evolution of creative music.
season 1 - episode #3
Perfect for fans of songwriting, musicians, creative music, folk rock, and storytelling, this episode of Full STEAM Ahead brings together STEAM Fund co-founders Gary and Judy Siegel with Joziah Longo, visionary frontman of the Slambovian Circus of Dreams. From his early days performing Dylan covers in Philadelphia to gracing stages like CBGB’s and Carnegie Hall, Joziah shares his journey through rhythm, theatre, and imagination. The conversation explores the art of songwriting, the stories behind projects like The Book of Better Things and the beloved Slambovian Christmas Show, and a glimpse into the band’s upcoming studio album. More than a conversation about music, this episode celebrates creativity, community, and music philanthropy — revealing what it means to live with music at the heart of everything you do.
season 1 - episode #4
Perfect for fans of musicians, live music, music legacy, Woodstock NY, and music philanthropy, this episode of Full STEAM Ahead features a heartfelt conversation with Barbara O’Brien, Levon Helm’s longtime manager and the driving force behind the legendary Midnight Rambles at his home in Woodstock. Co-hosts Gary and Judy Siegel explore Barbara’s incredible journey — from the early days of the Rambles to her stewardship of Levon Helm Studios — and how she helped keep Levon’s music, spirit, and community alive. Barbara shares personal stories of collaboration, creativity, and resilience that reveal the heart behind one of America’s most cherished musical traditions. A moving tribute to Levon Helm, this episode celebrates the enduring power of community, generosity, and the love of live music.
season 1 - episode #5
Perfect for fans of folk musicians, music philanthropy, songwriting, and community music programs, this episode of Full STEAM Ahead welcomes husband-and-wife duo The Levins. Ira and Julia share their journey from open-mic nights in California to performing around the world, blending music, faith, and social consciousness into their harmony-driven sound. Co-hosts Gary and Judy Siegel explore how The Levins use music to uplift, heal, and connect communities, the creative process behind their new album An Alternate Refrain, and the intergenerational programs they lead in schools and families. Through personal stories and reflections, listeners gain insight into the power of music, partnership, and compassion. A celebration of folk music, collaboration, and the transformative impact of art, this episode shines a light on music’s ability to bridge cultures and generations.
season 1 - episode #6
In this blues- and soul-driven episode of Full STEAM Ahead, Gary and Judy Siegel sit down with internationally acclaimed blues artist Slam Allen to explore how music becomes soul, spirit, and connection. From his roots in the family legacy of The Allen Brothers to leading the band for the legendary James Cotton, Slam shares a life shaped by rhythm, resilience, and purpose. Blending the fire of James Brown, the soul of Otis Redding, and the guitar mastery of B.B. King, Slam reveals how he delivers more than music—he delivers joy and unity. This episode dives into his creative process, his philosophy of universal connection, and his mission to spread love through the power of the blues.
season 1 - episode #7
Perfect for listeners interested in songwriting, musicians, creative community, folk music, and artistic legacy, this deeply personal episode of Full STEAM Ahead features singer-songwriter, producer, and community builder Miranda Hardy. For co-hosts Gary and Judy Siegel, this conversation comes full circle—Miranda grew up just down the street in Liberty, New York, spent many of her formative years in their home, and is one of their daughter Georgia’s closest friends. The daughter of legendary folk musician and Fast Folk founder Jack Hardy, and acclaimed radio host and Folk Alliance Hall of Famer Angela Page, Miranda shares her journey from a successful decade-long career in advertising back to music. A moving conversation about music, legacy, friendship, and finding your voice.
real food rules songwriting podcast
Thanks to Tim Bruno of Radio Chatskills (WJFF) for helping us to get the word out about STEAM Fund’s Real Food Rules Songwriting Podcast. We have released two of seven videos which include original songs written by the 6th graders at Liberty Middle School with the guidance of our teaching artists Beth and Scott Bierko. Two videos have been released so far and the remaining videos will be released every Monday through February 23, 2026.
