Voice of the Arts

https://www.youtube.com/@WQED Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insigh...

Friends of Mellon Park is celebrating their 5th annual Arbor Day Celebration this April! Board of Trustee Member's Elizabeth Seamans and Abby Wilson, talk about the upcoming event on April 26th. Elizabeth talks about how Arbor Day got started, and what Friends of Mellon Park are doing for the special day. There will be a marching band from Alderdice High School, lawn games for children and adults,...

Nandanik Dance, a classical Indian Dance Troupe, is presenting a festival! Director Nandini Mandal, and students Shriya Narasimhan and Pavithra Dante, talk with Anna Singer live about their upcoming dance festival, Vilaya The Confluence. Nandini talks about creating this dance troupe after emigrating to the U.S from Kolkata. She hopes to preserve, promote, and share all forms of Indian Classical d...

Pittsburgh International Classic Theatre, or PICT, is back for a season finale! Artistic Director of PICT, Eliza Huffman, talks about their upcoming American Premiere of Amy Ng's adaptation of Miss Julie. Eliza talks about the story of Miss Julie, set in post-World War II Hong Kong, and how Amy Ng's adaptation focuses on a love triangle. Eliza highlights talk back discussions, an Asian Cultural Ce...

In this last episode about the Markus Passion world premiere in Pittsburgh, Sebastians lead member, Jeffrey Grossman, talks about his groups involvement in the project. Jeffrey, who is playing organ and harpsichord in the premiere, talks about history of the Sebastians. This ensemble specializes in music of the baroque and classical eras. He also talks about his role in this production, and what m...

Artistic Director of Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Edward Leonard, talks with Jim Cunningham live on the WQED Classical morning show about their upcoming concert. The concert celebrates this year's Junior and Senior winners of COP's Young Artist Concerto Competition. Cellist Chase Hahl is the junior winner, a Fox Chapel high schooler. Violinist Joshua Lee is the senior division winner from Carn...

Union Project is hosting a new art exhibition that is a culmination of a seven year spiritual journey. Executive Director of Union Project and artist of the exhibition, Jeffrey Dorsey, talks about his exhibit "Another Light: Making Space for Healing". Jeffrey talks about the story behind the project, which started seven years ago after he tore his ACL playing soccer. For months, he was confined to...

It's the start of Little Lake Theatre's 2025 season, and it will be starting off with a fun one! Director of "9 to 5", Kathy Hawk, and the actress playing Doralee, Alexis Hawk, talk about their collaboration in this upcoming musical. Kathy talks about the story behind the musical, which is similar to the movie. They reveal their favorite parts in the show, and how working as a mother/daughter duo...

Attack Theatre has a new executive director! Well known Pittsburgh conductor, Andres Franco, talks with Anna Singer live about his new role in the city. He talks about how he first met co-founders Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope on stage during a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Fiddlesticks concert. When he saw the role open for executive director, Andres jumped at the opportunity to continue work...

Watch WQED's documentary here! Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to bring you closer to the heart of Pittsburgh's local arts scene. Don’t miss our musician interviews, the latest local music news, and performing arts insig...

It's another episode about JS Bach's lost Markus Passion, presented by Chatham Baroque! Bill Barclay, Artistic Director of Concert Theatre Works and Music Before 1800, talks about the upcoming world premiere. Bill highlights the significance of performing this new edition in Pittsburgh. He also talks about his involvement in the project with Malcolm Bruno. Concert Theatre Works strives to demonstr...

It is that time of year again! The Three Rivers Community Band Festival will be at the Franklin Regional High School this Saturday! Festival Band Chair Nanette Mancuso, and East Winds Symphonic Band conductor Susan Sands, talks about the festivals' highlights this year. They talk about the four performances in the festival, with three from community area bands, and one festival band! They also tal...

Pittsburgh Musical Theater is keeping the tradition alive with its next rendition of "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Byham Theater. Director and Choreographer, Lucas Fedele, talks about his role in bringing this rock opera about Christ's last days on Earth alive. One of three co-directors and choreographers, Lucas highlights the unique opportunity to work with his previous mentors on this show. He...

A unique piano group in Pittsburgh is hosting a concert at the August Wilson Center! Piano4te is a group of 4 pianists that each play a piano. Jimmy Liu, Becky Billock, Jack Kurutz, and Uliana Kozhevnikova, talk with Jim Cunningham live on the WQED Classical morning show about their upcoming concert. Jack talks about creating the group with the three others. Uliana talks about the program which in...

Pittsburgh's own contemporary music ensemble, Nat 28, is hosting its annual Pittsburgh Composers' Project soon! Executive Director and clarinetist, Allyson Huneycutt, talks about the group's mission to showcase contemporary classical music from the Greater Pittsburgh area. Allyson highlights this years winners from their open call for scores. They will be featured in this years Pittsburgh Composer...

Pianist Tamami Honma is an acclaimed performer and recording artist, and recently released a complete collection of Beethoven's Piano Sonatas on the recording label Divine Art. Tamami talks with WQED Classical's Anna Singer about these collections of recordings she has made over the past couple of years. She also talks about her research, her students, and how she recorded this album out of order....

There is a world premiere coming to Pittsburgh, presented by Chatham Baroque! Musicologist Malcolm Bruno talks with WQED Classical's Anna Singer about his role in creating a new edition of JS Bach's lost Markus Passion. Originally performed for Good Friday in the early 1700s, Bach's Markus Passion has been the topic of conversation for many early music historians. Bach's publisher lost the manuscr...

Cellist with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Charlie Powers, talks with Jim Cunningham live about several upcoming concerts, all with cellos! Charlie highlights a free concert at the City of Asylum which features The Clarion Quartet, the Pittsburgh Cello Quartet, and special guests David Harding and Dimitri Papadimitriou. The concert is on Tuesday, March 25th at 7 pm. It features music by Erich Korngold,...

Renaissance City Choir is hosting its yearly cabaret! Artistic Director of the choir, Kym Scott, talks about the upcoming show. She describes what a cabaret style show is, and why this year they are doing it at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Kym also highlights the new format in programming, where the theme is tighter, and the choir auditions for specific songs. This year, the theme is "Follow...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" March 22 through the 30th at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Stage Director Matthew Ozawa, who came up with this unique presentation of the opera. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater,...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" March 22 through the 30th at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Karah Son, who sings the role of Cio-Cio San. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to br...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" March 22 through the 30th at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Eric Taylor, who sings the role of Pinkerton. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here to br...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" March 22 through the 30th at the Benedum Center. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Music Director Antony Walker about the production. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether you're passionate about classical music, film, theater, opera, or local music, we’re here...

In one week, The Mattress Factory will have a new exhibition! Sound and visual artist, Marc Vilanova, talks about his upcoming exhibition at the Factory. The exhibition features inaudible sound, known as infrasound. Marc recorded underground wells around the Pennsylvania area using geophones, microphones designed to capture seismic activity. His exhibition features 60 speakers projecting the sound...

Pianist John Novacek makes his Pittsburgh solo recital debut for the Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania! Earlier in the year, he visited Chamber Music Pittsburgh and attended recording sessions with Pittsburgh Symphony Violist Randolph Kelly. He discusses his many recordings including "Last Kiss" and "Classic Romance II" for the Four Winds label. John also traces his career from Los Angeles...