Black Music Seen

For forty years, American orchestras have run diversity fellowship programs. For forty years, their own research has documented that those programs rarely lead to permanent employment. Nothing has changed. BON's third open letter, Dear American Orchestras III, names what those forty years actually produced — and proposes a different architecture for what investment in Black orchestral musicians sh...

J’Nai Bridges is one of the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos in the world—and behind the global stages, there’s a deeper story about identity, discipline, and what it truly means to live in alignment. In this powerful conversation, J’Nai reflects on: What it means to feel grounded, confident, and free in her artistry The discipline required to sustain a world-class career in opera The role of bounda...

In this episode of Black Music Seen, host David Norville sits down with four members of the Chicago-based chamber music collective D-Composed: Caitlin Edwards (violin) Tahirah Whittington (cello) Khelsey Zarraga (violin) Wilfred Farquharson (viola) Together, they share the story behind an ensemble that is reshaping what classical music can look and feel like. Founded to center Black composers, Bla...

In this powerful episode of Black Music Seen, David Norville sits down with brothers William Henry Curry and Ralph Curry — two musicians whose lives trace the arc of Black classical history in America From pounding on pianos in working-class Pittsburgh homes to standing on the Great Wall of China with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Curry brothers reflect on the early teachers who changed their lives...

Following our conversation with Lawrence Brownlee, this episode centers on Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs — founding members of the Black Orchestral Network — for a deeper look at how BON began and what it means to build something that lasts. What started as informal conversations among friends evolved into a sustained effort to create community, advocacy, and infrastructure for Black orchestral m...

In this episode of Black Music Seen, tenor Lawrence Brownlee joins Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs for an unfiltered conversation about the real work behind a lasting career in classical music. From singing in church to performing leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Brownlee reflects on the long road to artistic authority — including the rejection, setbacks, and self-doubt that shaped him alon...

In this episode of Black Music Seen, we spotlight the next generation of leadership in Black classical music. Hosted by Brittney Bryanna Burgess — Executive Director of Black Collegiate Musicians — this conversation features Shania Watts (violist at The Juilliard School and President of the Juilliard Black Student Union) and Wynter McCray (double bassist at Juilliard and Vice President of the Juil...

On today’s episode, we’re joined by violinist, writer, and cultural historian Rosalyn Story.   For more than 30 years, Rosalyn Story has performed violin with the Fort Worth Symphony — but her artistry doesn’t stop there. She’s also a novelist, a journalist, and a passionate keeper of Black musical history. Whether chronicling the legacy of opera trailblazers like Sissieretta Jones or guiding stud...

In today’s episode, we’ll meet 23-year-old Quenton Blache, a remarkable cellist and composer. Quenton has performed with prestigious groups like the National Youth Orchestra of the USA and Sphinx Virtuosi. He has also been commissioned to create works for the Sphinx Virtuosi, North Carolina Chamber Music Institute, and Little Orchestra Society. Quenton is particularly passionate about composing fo...

On today’s episode, we’re talking with Beverly Kane Baker—a pioneering violist whose career has spanned decades, stages, and generations. From her early training at Juilliard to her role as principal violist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Beverly has carved out a legacy grounded in excellence, community, and spiritual purpose. In our conversation, she reflects on growing up in a music-fille...

On today’s episode, We’re highlighting the Gateways Music Festival — a powerful meeting ground for Black classical musicians from across the country. It’s more than a festival. It’s a home. A reunion. A proving ground. You’ll hear from four extraordinary artists who carry that legacy forward: Alex Laing, Curtis Stewart, Melissa White, and Damien Sneed. From world premieres to reimagined classics,...

On today’s episode, we’re talking with Carlos Simon—a Grammy-nominated composer, cultural storyteller, and one of the most influential musical voices of our time. Carlos’s music blends gospel, jazz, classical, and cinematic soundscapes to tell stories that speak to our collective memory, our spiritual traditions, and the urgency of now. From his work with the Kennedy Center and Boston Symphony to...

Today, we’re joined by a rising star whose artistry is captivating audiences worldwide—18-year-old pianist and composer Rhyuhn Green. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rhyuhn has already made waves with his award-winning single Symbiosis, featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk and From the Top, as well as performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Curtis Institute of Music. A Kovner Fellow at Juilliard,...

This month, we’re bringing you an extraordinary episode of Black Music Seen, recorded LIVE at our BON Summit this past October!   Featuring two brilliant scholars: Dr. Matthew Morrison and Dr Richard Desinord, we explored the obstacles that hinder the integration and expression of Black cultural aesthetics in so called classical music.   What do we mean when we talk about “authenticity” and “aesth...

On today’s episode, we’re talking with The Uptown String Quartet, a group that was formed in the 80s and guided by the legendary American drummer and Composer Max Roach. The group started as a double quartet that played with Max’s band and later became a group that consisted of violinists Diane Monroe and Lesa Terry, Max’s Daughter - Violist Maxine Roach and their late colleague, cellist Eileen Fo...

Black Music Seen presents a special episode in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!  This episode of Black Music Seen is a heartfelt tribute to Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez—the legendary Afro-Latin salsa singer whose legacy has shaped generations. In this episode, his children, Cita Rodriguez and Pete Rodriguez Jr., are joined by their cousin, Emilio Carlo, the Black Orchestral Network’s Director...

On today’s episode, we’ll meet George Lewis. A Chicago-born trombonist, technologist, musicologist, and composer.    He’s the Artistic Director of the International Contemporary Ensemble and the Edwin H. Case Professor of American Music at Columbia University. He’s widely recognized as a trailblazer in modern music, particularly for his groundbreaking work in creating computer programs that improv...

On February 24th, the Black Orchestral Network hosted a captivating live episode of Black Music Seen at SphinxConnect24. Facilitated by David Norviile, the episode featured an intergenerational panel discussion with four esteemed guests: Dale Allmond Breidenthal, Francisco Joubert, Jennifer Arnold, and Joseph Conyers. In this engaging episode, the panelists delved into our evolving orchestral land...

Today's episode honors women in classical music. Join Lexi Ligon Halloway, Deja Wilson, Jennifer Arnold, and Ebonee Thomas from the BON steering committee as they lead an inspiring conversation celebrating the contributions of women in classical music. Plus, hear submissions from our amazing community. 

In this episode, we'll meet Dale Allmond Breidenthal, a distinguished violinist hailing from Los Angeles, CA, with roots deeply embedded in the vibrant West Adams/Crenshaw District. Dale's musical journey began at the University of Southern California, where she honed her craft under the tutelage of renowned violinist Eudice Shapiro. Following her graduation, Dale embarked on a remarkable career t...

From the Inaugural Black Orchestral Network Summit 2023 - BLACK MUSIC SEEN LIVE:Voices of Black Empowerment - a facilitated conversation about history of activism and Black Musicians   Speakers: Dr. Fredara Hadley, Ethnomusicology Professor at The Juilliard School Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle, University Distinguished Professor of Music at Miami University in Oxford, OH David Norville, Producer for New Y...

In today’s episode, we’ll meet Booker Rowe. A Philadelphia born violinist who played for just over 50 years with the Philadelphia orchestra. He sat down with us to tell his story and even agreed to chat with two of our Black Orchestral Network founding members with whom he has a pretty special connection .    Booker, like so many Black musicians we’ll hear from in this series carries with him a ri...

In today’s episode, we’ll meet Rufus Olivier Jr. - the principal bassoonist for the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet. He joined the symphony in 1977 at only 21 years of age after winning the position for 2nd bassoon. When the Symphony split from the Opera, Rufus auditioned for the Opera and won the principal position. In 1992 he won the principal audition for the Ballet as well.   He h...

Today’s episode takes us through the life and times of the harpist Ann Hobson Pilot - a black woman whose talent and prowess as a harp player shattered the color barrier of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1969, leading her to forge a decorated career as a harpist, inspiring many of the Black classical musicians of today.    For over 4 decades Ann forged an awe-inspiring career through some of our...