Belarusian Thunder

Ep. 28 - Dr. Shane Lynch | Choral Conducting, W&L Univeristy Singers, Films

Dr. Shane Lynch is an award-winning conductor, composer, and music educator who has served as Director of Choral Activities at Washington and Lee University since 2009. He leads the University Singers—an internationally recognized touring choir—and the Glee Club, while also directing the university’s unique Choral Conductor Mentorship Program. A sought-after clinician and guest conductor, Dr. Lynch has worked with ensembles across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, and his research spans topics from Neo-Impressionism in choral music to eurhythmics in rehearsal. As a composer, he has earned acclaim for works like Joseph and Grace, which premiered in Ireland and won the NCCO composition contest. Dr. Lynch’s academic journey includes degrees from Concordia College, the University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Washington, and he will soon serve as Lead Instructor for the Cork International Choir Festival’s Conducting Course. Looking ahead, Dr. Lynch will lead the 2024–2025 University Singers on an 8-day international tour of Croatia and Slovenia beginning April 18, 2025!

Ep. 27 – Prof. Jeff Schatten | The Art of Negotiation, Start-ups, Artificial Intelligence, Comedy

Jeff Schatten is an Associate Professor of Business Administration at Washington and Lee University. Jeff specializes in artificial intelligence, organizational behavior, and leadership, and his upcoming book AI Will Take Your Job (and It's for the Best): Embracing the New Social Contract for the Age of AI will be published by Emerald Publishing in 2025. In this episode, we dive into AI’s transformative impact on work and society, while also discussing Jeff’s unique experiences, including his time as a stand-up comedian in Barcelona and his innovative teaching methods.

Ep. 26 – Stacy Yurkovskaya | Belarusian Heritage, Learning English, Eastern European Culture vs American

Stacy Yurkovskaya is a sophomore at Washington and Lee University. Alongside her classes, Stacy serves as a TA for the Russian Language department, helping students learn the language. She's extremely inquisitive and gifted in many areas of learning. In this episode, Stacy and I bond over our mutual Belarusian origins and discuss the power of language and culture.

Ep. 25 – Jackson Hotchkiss | Gravel and MTB Biking, Oregon Trail Stage Race, Chris Blevins, Training and Recovery

Jackson Hotchkiss, originally from Lexington, Virginia, is a graduating senior at Washington and Lee University, where he is completing his degree in business and environmental economics. A passionate cyclist, Jackson specializes in mountain biking, a focus that reflects his love for challenging terrains and the supportive community within the sport. In this episode, we explore Jackson’s love for cycling, we discuss his training and recovery routines, and we break down the dynamic world of gravel and MTB biking, and reflect on the excitement surrounding events like the Oregon Trail Stage Race and athletes like Chris Blevins. Good luck to Jackson in his future cycling and professional career endeavors!

Ep. 24 – Jak Krouse | Spring Break, Near Death Experiences, Hiking Barefoot, Pushing Limits

Jak Krouse is a graduating student at Washington and Lee University, majoring in Journalism and Geology. Jak has competed on the university’s wrestling team in the 165 lb weight class, achieving great success in both his athletic and extracurricular endeavors. What sets Jak apart are his intriguing and sometimes seemingly fictitious stories. Nonetheless, they are true and amazing to listen to. Joining Jak on this episode is Harrison Kelly, a close friend of mine and Jak's. This episode was one of my favorites to record and was engaging throughout. Enjoy!