On this episode of the Bengal Business Radio Show, host Alex Bollinger talks with avant‑garde jazz composer and ISU faculty member Jon Armstrong about building a “dream program” where doom metal players, jazzers, indie rockers, and folk singer‑songwriters learn to create together across genres. Armstrong describes how students learn to “meet the song where it’s at,” adjusting their sound, sharing ideas, and elevating each other’s artistry through intentional collaboration and guest artist residencies. The conversation centers on empowering young musicians to bring their own voice to any musical situation, while honoring the legacy of figures like Roger Williams and the transformative faculty mentorship that has shaped ISU’s music community.
