Michigan Creates

Ara Topouzian sits down with Dave Bennett , jazz clarinetist and multi-instrumentalist, to discuss musical storytelling, improvisation, and artistic discipline. Dave reflects on his creative journey, performance philosophy, and how clarity and joy shape his approach to jazz and live performance.   Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art &...

In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Dwayne Hayes , founder and Executive Director of KickstART Farmington , about providing access to arts education for young people. Dwayne shares how creative mentorship, community engagement, and inclusive programming open pathways for youth expression and confidence. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast serie...

Ara Topouzian speaks with Vince Paul , President and Artistic Director of the Music Hall of Detroit , about leading a historic performance venue with relevance and purpose. The conversation highlights programming decisions, community engagement, and balancing legacy with innovation in Detroit’s cultural scene.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting art...

In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Victor Ghannam , Middle Eastern musician and educator, about music as cultural preservation. Victor shares insights into tradition, transmission, and how musical heritage is carried forward through performance and teaching. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture...

Ara Topouzian speaks with Jeff Karoub , folk musician and songwriter, about storytelling through song and the role of place in shaping musical identity. Jeff reflects on songwriting, performance, and how folk traditions continue to evolve while remaining rooted in lived experience. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture org...

In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Xiao Dong Wei , Chinese musician and composer, about bridging cultures through music. The conversation explores tradition, cross-cultural collaboration, and how music serves as a shared language across communities. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture organizat...

Ara Topouzian sits down with Michael Hyacinthe , founder of Wimee TV , to discuss storytelling through media and community-based platforms. Michael shares how local voices, creative content, and inclusive media spaces strengthen cultural connection and representation. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture organization in M...

In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Marsha Music , writer and storyteller, about memory, personal narrative, and the written word. Marsha reflects on storytelling as a tool for reflection, healing, and understanding lived experience. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture organization in Michigan....

Ara Topouzian speaks with Stephen Mack Jones , author, playwright, and poet, about language, identity, and creative voice. Stephen shares how writing becomes a means of self-definition and cultural expression, setting the foundation for Michigan Creates’ focus on artists and storytellers. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & cult...