I'm Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson's Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson's Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite—it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation!
Through this podcast, I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors and musicians with PD; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community.
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations,Thomas Verrier speaks with Jill Pfluke, a longtime violinist and educator whose love of music has remained constant throughout her life. Jill has performed at venues including Ruth Eckerd Hall and at Tampa’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony, and she has spent many years working in special education, including teaching students with visual impairments. She continues to practice, perform, and share her violin music through social media.
Since developing Parkinson’s, Jill’s connection to music has become even more personal. She has described music as therapeutic and continues to explore the role her violin can play in living with Parkinson’s. Today, we’ll talk about Jill’s musical journey, how Parkinson’s has affected her relationship with the violin, and how music can provide expression, connection, and perhaps even healing for those living with the disease.
ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; create a forum to share and compare experiences; foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and raise awareness and understanding in the broader community.
PLEASE FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons (https://www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons)www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons (https://www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons)#parkinsondiseaseawareness #parkinsonsawareness #michaeljfoxfoundation
8 Oct 2026
Paolo Tatafiore
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier talks with Paolo Tatafiore. Paolo is an Italian-born piano virtuoso, composer, and teacher who began his musical training in his native Naples. During his successful career, He performed throughout Europe and the United States as a soloist and chamber musician.
In 2020, Paolo began experiencing a tremor and loss of control in his right hand. These symptoms struck at the very center of his life as a pianist and ultimately led him to stop performing concerts. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Paolo brought the same discipline and determination he had developed as a musician to confronting this very different challenge.
ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; create a forum to share and compare experiences; foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and raise awareness and understanding in the broader community.
PLEASE FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons (https://www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons)www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons (https://www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons)#parkinsondiseaseawareness #parkinsonsawareness #michaeljfoxfoundation
27 Sept 2026
Alistair Scott
In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier speaks with Alistair Scott, a gentleman whose story is an inspirational reminder that it’s never too late to learn something completely new.With no prior training, he took up the clarinet in his early seventies. Three years ago, Alistair was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Still, he has carried on learning and playing, not only because of the enormous satisfaction he gets from making music, but because he’s found it to be therapeutic on many levels. At the age of 80, Alistair decided to take things one step further. He bought himself an alto saxophone — and now he’s learning to play that instrument as well! In this conversation, Alistair shares his perspectives on learning later in life, living with Parkinson’s, and the powerfully positive effects of making music.ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation; quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and raise awareness and understanding in the broader community. PLEASE FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons #parkinsondiseaseawareness #parkinsonsawareness #michaeljfoxfoundation
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