Piedmont Arts Podcast

Internationally acclaimed pianist Orion Weiss has an expansive repertoire. In 2025 he was a guest soloist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, he played two dissimilar concertos by Stravinsky and Bach. In October 2026, he joined them again for Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto, a work he says people should hear more often. Weiss is the guest on this Piedmont Arts podcast, and he talks about the mer...

Internationally acclaimed pianist Orion Weiss has an expansive repertoire. In 2025 he was a guest soloist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, he played two dissimilar concertos by Stravinsky and Bach. In October 2026, he joined them again for Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto, a work he says people should hear more often. Weiss is the guest on this Piedmont Arts podcast, and he talks about the mer...

On this Piedmont Arts podcast, get to know Kendall Ramseur, an award-winning cellist, composer, and recording artist who grew up and got his musical start in Charlotte. Now based in Boston, Ramseur was a founding member of the quartet Sons of Serendip, who were finalists on America’s Got Talent. He’s performed for Oprah and been principal cellist with the Grammy Awards orchestra. Now he’s composin...

On this Piedmont Arts podcast, get to know Kendall Ramseur, an award-winning cellist, composer, and recording artist who grew up and got his musical start in Charlotte. Now based in Boston, Ramseur was a founding member of the quartet Sons of Serendip, who were finalists on America’s Got Talent . He’s performed for Oprah and been principal cellist with the Grammy Awards orchestra. Now he’s composi...

The Italian painter Caravaggio had a massive influence on the art of the late 16th and early 17th centuries including baroque music. To complement the Mint Museum’s Caravaggio exhibition, 7th Street Concerts is presenting a mash-up performance that combines theatre, art, and music from Caravaggio’s time. On this Piedmont Arts episode, Kristin Olson, 7th Street’s artistic director, and lutenist Joh...

The Italian painter Caravaggio had a massive influence on the art of the late 16th and early 17th centuries including baroque music. To complement the Mint Museum’s Caravaggio exhibition, 7th Street Concerts is presenting a mash-up performance that combines theatre, art, and music from Caravaggio’s time. On this Piedmont Arts episode, Kristin Olson, 7th Street’s artistic director, and lutenist Joh...

Founded in 2016 by two members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music for All performs throughout the greater Charlotte region. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, you’ll hear violinists Calin Lupanu and Monica Boboc talk about their journey from Romania to Charlotte, and the educational mission behind their ensemble. There’s also an edition of FanFare filled with fun events and activiti...

Founded in 2016 by two members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music for All performs throughout the greater Charlotte region. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, you’ll hear violinists Calin Lupanu and Monica Boboc talk about their journey from Romania to Charlotte, and the educational mission behind their ensemble. There’s also an edition of FanFare filled with fun events and activiti...

Printmaking has always been an important artistic medium in Latin America, and some very interesting technical innovations have been introduced by Latin American artists through the decades. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art opened an exhibition called Making an Impression: Pioneering Latin American Printmakers. Works by four artists who’ve pushed the boundaries of the genre will be on display. On...

Printmaking has always been an important artistic medium in Latin America, and some very interesting technical innovations have been introduced by Latin American artists through the decades. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art opened an exhibition called Making an Impression: Pioneering Latin American Printmakers . Works by four artists who’ve pushed the boundaries of the genre will be on display. O...

Music @ St. Alban’s is a monthly concert series held on Sunday afternoons at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson. Established in 2005, it features musicians from near and far performing a wide variety of musical genres. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, board member David Wilson talks about the series and what’s coming to St. Alban’s this season, including a return performance by the Ciompi Q...

Music @ St. Alban’s is a monthly concert series held on Sunday afternoons at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson. Established in 2005, it features musicians from near and far performing a wide variety of musical genres. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, board member David Wilson talks about the series and what’s coming to St. Alban’s this season, including a return performance by the Ciompi Q...

The North Carolina School of the Arts opened in 1965 as America’s first public arts conservatory and become part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972 with programs in music, drama, dance, filmmaking, and more. UNCSA’s Dean of Dance, Endalyn Taylor Outlaw, is our guest on this episode of Piedmont Arts and she shares an overview of the school’s ballet and contemporary dance programs. Y...

The North Carolina School of the Arts opened in 1965 as America’s first public arts conservatory and become part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972 with programs in music, drama, dance, filmmaking, and more. UNCSA’s Dean of Dance, Endalyn Taylor Outlaw, is our guest on this episode of Piedmont Arts and she shares an overview of the school’s ballet and contemporary dance programs. Y...

Piedmont Opera launches their 50th season with performances that include Rossini’s Barber of Seville and an appearance by Renee Fleming. Their emphasis this season is on celebrating and fostering community. General Director and Principal Conductor Joseph Mechavich share on this Piedmont Arts podcast details about the season. We also speak to Maggie Pate, Director of Communications for the North Ca...

Piedmont Opera launches their 50th season with performances that include Rossini’s Barber of Seville and an appearance by Renee Fleming. Their emphasis this season is on celebrating and fostering community. General Director and Principal Conductor Joseph Mechavich share on this Piedmont Arts podcast details about the season. We also speak to Maggie Pate, Director of Communications for the North Ca...

Charlotte Master Chorale is about to launch its 76th season, and their chamber choir kicks off WDAV’s new Small Batch concert series season. This year the group will celebrate community, belonging, and the power of voices singing together through a variety of concerts that include recent choral compositions as well as classics like Faure’s Requiem. Artistic Director Kenney Potter is the guest on t...

Charlotte Master Chorale is about to launch its 76th season, and their chamber choir kicks off WDAV’s new Small Batch concert series season. This year the group will celebrate community, belonging, and the power of voices singing together through a variety of concerts that include recent choral compositions as well as classics like Faure’s Requiem . Artistic Director Kenney Potter is the guest on...

The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte got its start shortly after World War II. After many years on Morehead Street, the theater company moved to ImaginOn, where they’ve been delighting audiences since 2005. On this Piedmont Arts, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Artistic Director Adam Burke talks about their exciting new season. You’ll also get a preview of our region’s other theatrical offerings, p...

The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte got its start shortly after World War II. After many years on Morehead Street, the theater company moved to ImaginOn , where they’ve been delighting audiences since 2005. On this Piedmont Arts, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Artistic Director Adam Burke talks about their exciting new season. You’ll also get a preview of our region’s other theatrical offerings,...

The nation’s largest print and drawing competition in the early 1970s was held at Davidson College. Organized by renowned artist Herb Jackson, the competition drew submissions from across the country and brought some of the most compelling works on paper to campus. Davidson is celebrating the 50th anniversary with a new competition and exhibition called “50 Years Later: Davidson National Print and...

Explore the history and return of Davidson College's iconic art competition. Founder Herb Jackson and curator Lia Newman discuss the 1970s print and drawing landmark and its 50th-anniversary rebirth on Piedmont Arts.

A new season of orchestral performances will start in a few weeks, and that includes the 62nd season for the Western Piedmont Symphony. Maestro Matthew Troy has been the Hickory-based orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor since 2019 and he talks on this Piedmont Arts about what we’ll be hearing from them in 2026-2027. You’ll also get a preview of other regional orchestras’ upcoming seasons, plu...

Discover what's coming to the stage for Western Piedmont Symphony's 62nd season! Maestro Matthew Troy previews the 2026-2027 lineup, plus hear other regional orchestra highlights and upcoming arts events with FanFare.

Storyteller Donna Washington has been weaving tales for audiences of all ages for more than 38 years. On this Piedmont Arts podcast episode, she shares what makes a good story and a good storyteller, and she even tells us a story or two. Plus, a look at the largest Black theatre festival in the world, the International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem. One of the organizers, Brittany Giles-...