Voice of the Arts

In this episode, we hear about Chamber Music Pittsburgh's upcoming Mainstage series concert with cellist Thomas Mesa and pianist Michelle Cann. The duo is set to perform a captivating program featuring works by Debussy, Shostakovich, and a new voice in classical music, composer Kevin Day. They will also be performing a work by Andrea Casarrubios, which was featured on the duo's critically acclaime...

In this episode, Jim Cunningham sat down with artistic director of Abingdon Theatre in New York City, Chad Austin, to talk about the ward-winning one-man play "Robin and Me: My Little Spark of Madness" that Chad is directing for the Pittsburgh Playhouse. The show is written and star's Dave Droxler as he explores the life of comedian Robin Williams. Dave portrays over 16 characters, including Robin...

In this episode, acclaimed pianist Sandro Russo talks about his upcoming performance for the Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania on Sunday, January 19th at 3 pm at Kresge Theater on Carnegie Mellon University's campus. Sandro discusses his diverse program, which features everything from Bach transcriptions, the last three of Liszt's Transcendental Etudes, and lesser known works by Pacho Vladi...

In this episode, we talk to Technical Director at Pittsburgh Musical Theater, Kevin Kocher, and student set designer, Cass Foremsky, about their upcoming Tales and Treats Children's Theater program, "Bring on the Snow!". This program offers children in the community to experience theater made for them, while also giving PMT students a chance to run an entire show themselves. Cass shares the creati...

In this episode, we chat with soprano Sarah Richards about her upcoming recital with Tuesday Musical Club. Sarah shares insights into her diverse program, which includes Baroque arias, opera excerpts, and original songs by TMC member Janet Stivanson. Sarah opens up about her background in early music, her journey with Tuesday Musical Club, and her personal connections to the pieces she’s performin...

In this episode, Prime Stage Theatre's Wayne Brinda stops by to discuss their exciting January lineup and highlight how this theater company makes a lasting impact on the community. From the 5th Annual High School Drama Awards honoring student theater talent to the American premiere of "Looking Forward: The Ruby Bridges Story" there is no shortage of events happening this month! Wayne goes into de...

In this episode, Anna Singer dives into the exciting world of SERIO, a rapidly growing opera company based in Pittsburgh. Anna talks with founder Louisa Jonason, Vice President Rebecka Kerr, and soprano Alexa Zeremenko who will performing Mimi in their upcoming production of La Boheme. Louisa shares the inspiration behind SERIO's founding, Rebecka discusses the challenges and rewards of running an...

In this first episode of the New Year, host Jim Cunningham sat down with the Shell Trio - Lili Zakaryan (violin), Shushana Hakobyan (piano), and Katya Jampoladyan (cello) - as they joined us live in the studio to talk about their upcoming concert with the Kassia Ensemble, Notes from Armenia at the Frick Fine Arts Building. This concert is sponsored by the Armenian Nationality Room of University of...

In this episode, we take a look into the colorful world of "Oat Milk & HXNY: Diaspora Kaleidoscope", the latest free art exhibition at Brew House Arts, and the 8th exhibition that is a part of the Future is Black art series. Co-curators Tacumba Turner and Venice Pascual, and Executive Director of Brew House Arts Natalie Sweet, discuss what you can expect from this exhibition. With 35 different art...

WQED-FM broadcast live the River City Brass Christmas Brasstacular from Carnegie Music Hall on Thursday December 12, 2024. During intermission host Jim Cunningham interviewed the Band's Artistic and General Director James Gourlay, as well as the two choral conductors - Stacey Davern of Chatham University and Andrew Roberts of Steel Valley High School. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Ar...

So many holiday concerts, so little time! Make sure to add this one to your list! Trumpet player Joe Figliulo, and volunteer Justin Davis, spoke with Jim Cunningham live on the WQED-FM morning show to discuss Shadyside Brass's Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 14th at 5 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Though it is a free concert, free will donations are accepted and will benefit the Cysti...

In this episode, host Jim Cunningham sits down with renowned composer and faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh, Mathew Rosenblum, do discuss his latest works and upcoming projects. Mathew first discusses his most latest collection of compositions, We Lived Happily During the War. Written during the pandemic, this work reflects on the global turmoil and personal connections to Ukraine, wi...

In this anticipated episode, we talk to Dr. Edward Alan Moore about the free Christmas in East Liberty concert, happening on Friday, December 13th at 7:30 pm at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. This beloved holiday tradition features an incredible lineup, including the artists-in-residence Brass Roots Ensemble, the East Liberty Presbyterian Church Choir, organist Ethan LaPlaca, and conductor Dani...

In this episode, co-organizers of the Queer Craft Market, Jeffrey Krsul and Katie Oldaker, discuss the upcoming Winter Bazaar at the Union Project on Sunday, December 15th. They share the heart behind this unique event, which creates a vibrant, and inclusive space for queer creators to showcase their work while fostering a strong sense of community. They highlight their efforts to keep the market...

During our live broadcast of the 2024 Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday concert, Anna Singer interviews JR Daniels, the organist for the concert; Heinz Chapel Choir Director Dr. Susan Rice; Emma Cada, the choir president and a senior from Nebraska; and Lydia Roberts, a freshman from State College. Thanks for tuning in to WQED's Voice of the Arts, Pittsburgh's trusted source for arts and culture in our re...

In this festive episode, we celebrate the joy of music and community with the Pittsburgh Girls Choir. Artistic Director Ryan Keeling and accompanist Charise Webster discuss several upcoming performances, including a family-friendly Mid-Winter Community Sing this Saturday, December 7th at 10 am, and a beautiful all-choir holiday concert, Voices of Light on Saturday, December 14th at 2 pm. Ryan and...

WQED-FM broadcast the December 5, 2025 December concert by the CMU Philharmonic and Chorus from Carnegie Music Hall. During intermission, Jim Cunningham interviewed Assistant Conductor Jordan Holloway, who knew the composer of the piece he conducted; Interim Director of Orchestral Studies at CMU, Daniel Nesta Curtis; and tenor Logan Williams, who was featured in Handel's Messiah. Thanks for tuning...

In this episode, Anna Singer discusses live with Marianne Cornetti and baritone powerhouse Sebastian Catana, about their upcoming performance "Legends in the Limelight" at the Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall this Sunday, December 8th at 3 pm. Sebastian, a Pittsburgh resident originally from Romania, reflects on his 30-year journey in the city, from his early days as a timid graduate student t...

It is time for some holiday cheer! Music Director of the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra, Walter Morales, spoke about their upcoming holiday show on Saturday, December 7th at 7:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Edgewood. Walter talks about the eclectic but wonderful program for the concert, which includes Bernstein's A Simple Song from "Mass", Silent Night, Carol of the Bells, A Charleston Chr...

Get into the holiday spirit with A musical Christmas Carol at the Pittsburgh CLO! In this episode, actor Charles Shaughnessy, and CLO Director of Education Jim Scriven, discuss their upcoming production of A Musical Christmas Carol, running December 13th to 22nd at the Byham Theater. Shaughnessy, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge, discusses his take on the iconic character, and how the timeless story of...

Think you know Babes in Toyland? Well, think again! The Pittsburgh Savoyards is bringing to life Victor Herbert's 1903 operetta, Babes in Toyland at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center in Bellevue from December 6th to 21st. This is as true to the original production as you can get, as siblings Alan and Jane navigate the fantastical Toyland after fleeing from their wicked Uncle Barnaby. Stag...

The holiday season is the busiest time of year for many choirs, but few face a schedule quite as intense as the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. Music Director, Daniel Singer, goes behind the scenes of the choir's jam-packed December lineup, which includes 11 concerts in just three weekends with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. They will be singing Brahms Schicksalslied, Faure's Requiem, Handel'...

In this episode, Renaissance City Choir's Artistic Director, Kym Scott, previews their upcoming holiday concert, A Very Ruby Holiday, celebrating the choir's 40th anniversary on December 7th at 7 pm. Kym talks about this year's festive celebration that features new traditions and old! Kym highlights the collaboration with the West Virginia University Chamber Singers, who will perform O Holy Night...

It's that time of year again, to watch all of your favorite holiday movies! At Pittsburgh Public Theater, they have something special! In this episode, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s upcoming production of A Christmas Story: The Play, running from December 4th to 22nd. Director Michael Berresse shares his insights on bringing this beloved holiday classic to lif...

Chatham Baroque's Co-Artistic Directors, Scott Pauley and Andrew Fouts, share details of their upcoming concert, Louis Louis: Songs and Dance of the French Baroque. Inspired by the reigns of the French kings, Louis XIII and Louis XIV, the program explores the rich history of French baroque music that eventually led to French opera. From courtly dances to early dramatic theater music, Scott and And...