Reed Puleo was a US Fulbright student who received a full-time research or study grant during the 2022–23 program year. A contemporary musician, Reed spent his grant period studying at the University of Performing Arts Graz and working with the contemporary-music ensemble Klangforum Wien to hone his percussion skills. Nearly a year after his grant ended, we met up with Reed to discuss his experience as a percussionist in the US and in Austria as well as what he has been doing in Austria since his grant ended.

00:00 Intro
00:45 How does the academic culture compare and contrast at a performing-arts institution in Austria versus in the US?
01:43 How does the experience of playing music professionally differ in Austria compared to the US?
03:35 Do you think that the different organization styles in Austria and the US adequately prepare you for your professional career?
04:28 In what unexpected ways did your Fulbright grant affect your practice?
05:48 What motivated you to pursue your percussive studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz?
07:06 What methods/practices used in Austria would be beneficial to musicians in the US and vice versa?
08:53 In what ways have you engaged with Austrian culture in general?
10:13 Austria is typically known for classical music. Did this have an impact on you as a contemporary musician, and did you perceive any differences in reception from your audiences?
11:29 What have you been up to since completing your grant, and what comes next?
12:39 What advice would you give to future (performing-arts) applicants and program participants?
13:50 Outro