Voice of the Arts

In another live interview, Pittsburgh Symphony's Associate Conductor, Jacob Joyce, joined Jim Cunningham on the WQED-FM morning show to discuss Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra's concert on Sunday. This exciting program is sponsored by the Allegheny Historic Preservation Society, in their Tiffany Concert series. The Youth Symphony will be performing a diverse program featuring the orchestra's t...

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's principal oboist, Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida, spoke live on the WQED-FM morning show with Jim Cunningham about her personal connections to Ralph Vaughan Williams' Oboe Concerto. She will be performing the piece this weekend with the orchestra, as well as Shostakovich's Final Symphony No. 15. Cynthia reflects on her emotional journey with the Oboe Concerto, sharing how...

In this episode, we are back at the Pittsburgh Public Theater to talk about their upcoming production of Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress. Director Justin Emeka and lead actress Shinnerrie D. Jackson, spoke about bringing this play to life in Pittsburgh. They discuss how the playwright refused to re-write the ending to produce it on Broadway in the 1950s, leading to its eventual production almos...

In this episode, Jim Cunningham speaks with the Executive Director of the National Opera House, Jonnet Solomon, about their upcoming exhibit at Grand Lobby in the City-County Building on Grant Street. Jonnet talks about the history of the National Negro Opera Company that was founded in Pittsburgh by Mary Cardwell Dawson in 1941. It was the first African American opera company in the United States...

In this episode, a former boy magician tells all!  Dan Kamin shares the journey of pursuing his magician and mime career.   Hear stories of mentors that influenced him in his early years and how he passed his knowledge and skill to a few familiar actors of Hollywood. He also discusses the importance of Gershwin’s music as it has accompanied him throughout his years of touring and shows.   We’re al...

Quantum Theatre is starting 2025 off with an American Premiere! We sat down with playwrights Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker, to talk about their production of "The Return of Benjamin Lay" opening on January 31st. Marcus describes who the legendary figure of Benjamin Lay was in the late 17th century. Naomi describes collaborating with Marcus on this play after Marcus's book, "The Fearless Benjami...

When Professor Cassandra Eisenreich came to teach at Slippery Rock University, she brought with her a love of early childhood music. In this episode, she and SRU student Jenna Diem, talk about SRU's Early Childhood and Elementary Music Community Initiatives program. This program offers free classes, concerts, and hands-on activities for young children to engage with music. Cassandra discusses why...

Chatham Baroque's Scott Pauley and Andrew Fouts are back again to talk about their very busy February, filled with lots of concerts! Andrew and Scott talk about their Valentine's Day themed PB&J concert Love Notes which incorporates activities that allow young children to actively engage with the music. Soprano, Pascale Beaudin, will perform 17th and 18th century upbeat love songs to engage with t...

The famous group, the Silkroad Ensemble is coming to Pittsburgh to perform at the Byham Theater! Kaoru Watanabe, master Japanese flute shinobue and taiko drum player, joined Jim Cunningham by phone from George Mason University to speak about the Silkroad Ensemble concert. He describes the wide ranging program and talks about his experience playing with jazz pianist Jason Moran and tabla virtuoso Z...

David Allen Wehr popped by the studio this morning to discuss with Jim Cunningham the latest Music on the Bluff Dean's List concert on January 26th. David plays two pieces from the program, Haydn's Piano Sonata in C Major, and Beethoven's Piano Sonata in A Major. He discusses why he created the Music On the Bluff Dean's List series. He also discusses the pre-concert discussion with Associate Profe...

New Hazlett Theater's Community Support Art Series is back for the 2025 season! In this episode, we discuss the first play of the series, My Sister's Lipstick, with playwright Anna King Skeels, and cast members, Annie Morehead, Audrey Klein, and June Almonte. Anna talks about how this play explores the emotional journey of two siblings navigating the aftermath of their father's death. One sibling,...

Chatham University is presenting another Music for Food benefit concert on Saturday, January 25th, this time as a Schubertiade! Piano players and organizers, Yeeha Chiu and Nanette Kaplan Solomon, spoke live with Jim Cunningham on the morning show to discuss the concert's program and perform Franz Schubert's Marche Militaire. Nanette describes what a Schubertiade is, and about the the tribute for...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Handel's "Armida" for the very first time January 25th through February 2nd at the CAPA Theater. Lauryn Davis is singing the role of Armida. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with her about the role, how comfortable she is singing Baroque opera, and her favorite moments in the opera. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and cult...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Handel's "Armida" for the very first time January 25th through February 2nd at the CAPA Theater. WQED-FM's Anna Singer spoke with Stage Director Haley Stamatz about how she is approaching this brand new production, how she loves the space at the CAPA Theater and much more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture i...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Handel's "Armida" for the very first time January 25th through February 2nd at the CAPA Theater. Fran Daniel Laucerica sings the role of Rinaldo. He spoke to WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the production, his role, favorite moments in the opera and more. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our region. Whether...

Pittsburgh Opera presents Handel's "Armida" for the very first time January 25th through February 2nd at the CAPA Theater. Music Director Antony Walker has conducted this before and is looking forward to presenting it to Pittsburgh audiences. He spoke to WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the production, the instrumentation and how it is still relevant to audiences, even though it was composed back in 17...

Brew House Arts has a new exhibition opening on January 27th! We sat down with the curator, Hannah Turpin, and two artists in the exhibition, Harrison Apple and Jules Malice, to discuss "When the Lights Come on: Queer Nightlife as Emergent Space". Hannah shares the inspiration behind the show which is to examine how queer nightlife has acted as a safe haven for marginalized communities throughout...

In this episode, Jim Cunningham spoke with Cantor David Reinwald from Temple Sinai in Squirrel Hill about two events coming up. Cathy Mansfield, an attorney, composer, and scholar, will be screening her new opera The Sparks Fly Upward, with a lecture beforehand about the Nazi's rise to power in Germany. Cantor Reinwald discuss Cathy's background, the intersection of law and music, and how Cathy's...

In this episode, we sat down to discuss the North Hills Art Center's 2025 Winter Student Art Show running until January 25th. Our guests, Diane Pontoriero, President of the North Hills Art Center's Board of Directors, and Matt Simon, a local art teacher at North Hills School District and organizer of the art show, talk about the upcoming exhibition that features student artwork from the North Hill...

In this episode, City Theatre's Co-Artistic Director Clare Drobot, and playwright and performer, Christopher Rivas, talk about their upcoming production of "The Real James Bond....was Dominican". Christopher shares his journey of creating this play, based on a book he wrote, based on the real-life figure of Porfirio Rubirosa and his impact on Christopher's life years ago. The play has changed and...

Get ready for Winterfest at the Frick Pittsburgh! Interim Director of Learning and Visitor Experience, Kelsie Paul, and Manager of Youth and Family Programs, Stacey McSorley, spoke about exciting family-friendly activities, live performances, art workshops, and cozy treats that everyone can do! Kelsie talks about why this Winterfest was started four years ago, and why it continues to be a cozy tim...

It is the 18th annual concert in celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the Heritage Gospel Choir and Dr. Herbert Jones! Dr. Herbert Jones spoke over the phone with Jim Cunningham to talk about the concert and the people involved, including soloists Anqwenique Kinsel and Kenny Peagler, and Master of Ceremonies Mikey Hood. He also spoke about his personal connection to MLK and the civi...

In this episode, we discuss Kelly Strayhorn Theater's celebration "In the Spirit of Rev. Dr. King: An MLK Day Celebration Through Art and Advocacy" on January 20th from 1-4 pm. Co-Executive Director Joseph Hall, Marketing Specialist Mingsi Ma, and choreographer and dancer Rickia Davenport, spoke about this free celebration that honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through powerful art,...

Its a very special episode, as WQED-FM afternoon host Anna Singer joins morning host Jim Cunningham live! Anna talks to Jim about her upcoming art exhibition at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. Anna talks about her work as a painter, including why she didn't start exploring her artistry until her mother died. She also talks about her family's connection to Sweetwater Center for the Arts that contin...

Jim Cunningham talks with Director of Advancement of Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Alana Wenk, to reflect on the success of Aurora: Illuminating the Holiday Magic of Mellon Square sculpture installation. Alana discusses the inspiration behind the project, the partnerships that made it possible, and how it brought the park to life during the cold winter months late last year. Even though the lights...