Anthony Plog on Music

Conversations with performers, composers, and entrepreneurs

Become a Contributing Listener!

As a Contributing Listener of "Anthony Plog on Music" you'll have access to extra premium content and benefits including:
  • Extra Audio Content: Only available to Contributing Listeners.
  • Podcast Reflections: Tony's written recaps and thoughts on past interviews (including valuable tips and suggestions for students) going all the way back to his first interviews in 2020.
  • Ask Me Anything: Both as written messages and occasional member-only Zoom sessions.
  • The Show's Discord Server: Where conversations about past interviews, show suggestions, and questions happen. It's a great place to meet other listeners and chat about all things music!
  • Can I just donate instead of subscribing? Absolutely!
  • Cancel at anytime and easily resubscribe when you want all the extra content again.



Amy Scurria and Ryan Gardner: A multi-award winning composer in discussion with Professor of Trumpet at UC Boulder on building connections, understanding, and highlighting the power of embracing neurodiversity in music

Anthony Plog, host
Eddie Ludema, producer
Date posted: Sep 28, 2025

Today, we welcome two remarkable guests: composer Amy Scurria and Dr. Ryan Gardner, Associate Professor of Trumpet at the University of Colorado Boulder. Amy, a multi-award-winning composer, has seen her work performed worldwide, including at Carnegie Hall. With a unique perspective shaped by her late autism diagnosis, she began composing at just eight years old, using music as a language to explore her emotions. Ryan, originally from Santa Monica, California, has spent over a decade teaching trumpet and is known for his innovative approaches to performance psychology. He also serves as the artistic director for Music for Autism, a program that creates inclusive concert experiences for autistic individuals and their families.


This interview is brought to you by Dorico, the music notation and composition software from Steinberg.

From our friends at Dorico:
"Whether you're writing your first song or scoring the latest blockbuster, Dorico is the smart choice for composition and music notation. With a complete family of apps for iPad, macOS and Windows, there's a version of Dorico that's perfect for you today and will grow with you tomorrow. Every version of Dorico is packed with smart, time-saving features to help you spend less time in front of your computer and more time doing what you love: making music."

Try out the full Pro version for Windows and MacOS with a 30-day free trial by visiting Dorico's web site!

Part 1

In the first part of our conversation, we dive into the intersections of music and autism. Amy shares her insights on neurodiversity and how it shapes her approach to composing, while Ryan discusses the transformative power of music for autistic audiences. As Amy poignantly states, "Neurodiversity means we’re just scratching the surface of what the human brain is capable of and how it works." Their stories and perspectives promise to offer enlightening views on how music can bridge differences and create connections.

Become a Contributing Listener to enjoy more from Tony's interview with Amy and Ryan!

[Subscriber Content] In the subscriber section, we delve deeper into Amy's journey as a composer and her educational experiences. She reflects on her influences, including her composition teachers at Rice University and Duke University, and shares thoughts on how improvisation has played a role in her creative process. Ryan also discusses the impactful training he received and the importance of understanding individual learning styles in music education. Their shared wisdom is sure to resonate and inspire anyone interested in the rich tapestry of music education and neurodiversity.



The podcast theme music, Four Sierra Scenes, written by Anthony Plog, is taken from Crystal Records S205, copyright ©1980 Crystal Records Inc., and is used by permission. Unauthorized duplication is not permitted.