K-BACH's Heart of the Arts

Follow K-BACH's Heart of the Arts
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Stay on top of what's happening in the arts community here in the Valley. KBACH's morning host Sterling Beeaff interviews talented musicians, conductors, and other arts leaders who visit the Phoenix area or call it home.

K-BACH 89.5FM Phoenix


    • Mar 22, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 17m AVG DURATION
    • 144 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from K-BACH's Heart of the Arts with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from K-BACH's Heart of the Arts

    Passionate Piano Quartets at Ravenscroft

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2026


    ASU Viola Professor Nancy Buck and friends will be performing on a concert called “Restless Passions,” Saturday, March 28 at Ravenscroft Hall in Scottsdale. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently chatted with Buck about the concert, which includes piano quartets by Gabriel Faure & Mel Bonis and the Allegro Appassionato by Frank Bridge. Tickets and more information about the concert are available at the Ravenscroft website.

    Passionate Piano Quartets at Ravenscroft

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2026


    ASU Viola Professor Nancy Buck and friends will be performing on a concert called “Restless Passions,” Saturday, March 28 at Ravenscroft Hall in Scottsdale. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently chatted with Buck about the concert, which includes piano quartets by Gabriel Faure & Mel Bonis and the Allegro Appassionato by Frank Bridge. Tickets and more information about the concert are available at the Ravenscroft website.

    The Sylvan Trio at Oracle Piano Society

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2026


    The Sylvan Trio (flute, cello, and piano, including two KBACH hosts) plays March 22 for the Oracle Piano Society. The program features multiple women composers from across the centuries and a trio by Martinů for this instrumentation, plus a signature work written for the trio by Rick Sowash. KBACH's Michael Keelan talked with flutist Suzanne Bona on Heart of the Arts.Details

    The Sylvan Trio at Oracle Piano Society

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2026


    The Sylvan Trio (flute, cello, and piano, including two KBACH hosts) plays March 22 for the Oracle Piano Society. The program features multiple women composers from across the centuries and a trio by Martinů for this instrumentation, plus a signature work written for the trio by Rick Sowash. KBACH's Michael Keelan talked with flutist Suzanne Bona on Heart of the Arts.Details

    The Catalyst Quartet Brings Music Inspired by Friendship to the Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2026


    The Phoenix Chamber Music Society presents the Catalyst Quartet in concert, Saturday, March 14th at Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley. The group's cellist and founding member Karlos Rodriguez talked with KBACH's Greg Kostraba about the quartet's inception, their rich and varied career, how they decide upon their programs, and the upcoming concert inspired by their friendship with Paquito d'Rivera. Tickets for the performance are available at the Phoenix Chamber Music Society website.

    The Catalyst Quartet Brings Music Inspired by Friendship to the Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2026


    The Phoenix Chamber Music Society presents the Catalyst Quartet in concert, Saturday, March 14th at Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley. The group's cellist and founding member Karlos Rodriguez talked with KBACH's Greg Kostraba about the quartet's inception, their rich and varied career, how they decide upon their programs, and the upcoming concert inspired by their friendship with Paquito d'Rivera. Tickets for the performance are available at the Phoenix Chamber Music Society website.

    A Touch of New Zealand as the At The World's Edge Festival Comes to Tempe

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2026


    Violinist Benjamin Baker is the founder and artistic director of the At World's Edge Music (AWE) Festival in New Zealand. He and some of his AWE colleagues will perform music by Prokofiev as well as composers from Australia, New Zealand, England, and Wales at Tempe Center for the Arts on March 22 as part of the Hayden's Ferry Chamber Music Series. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently chatted with Baker about the festival and their upcoming performance in Tempe. Tickets for the performance are available at the Tempe Center for the Arts website.

    A Touch of New Zealand as the At The World's Edge Festival Comes to Tempe

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2026


    Violinist Benjamin Baker is the founder and artistic director of the At World's Edge Music (AWE) Festival in New Zealand. He and some of his AWE colleagues will perform music by Prokofiev as well as composers from Australia, New Zealand, England, and Wales at Tempe Center for the Arts on March 22 as part of the Hayden's Ferry Chamber Music Series. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently chatted with Baker about the festival and their upcoming performance in Tempe. Tickets for the performance are available at the Tempe Center for the Arts website.

    West Valley Symphony's new music director Daniel Wiley

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026


    The West Valley Symphony presents two concerts in March led by Daniel Wiley who began as music director this season. The March 1st concert includes music of Bridge, Bloch, Bruch, and Mendelssohn and features concertmaster and ASU graduate Luke Hill as soloist. Michael Keelan talked with Wiley on Heart of the Arts. Details available at the West Valley Symphony website.

    West Valley Symphony's new music director Daniel Wiley

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026


    The West Valley Symphony presents two concerts in March led by Daniel Wiley who began as music director this season. The March 1st concert includes music of Bridge, Bloch, Bruch, and Mendelssohn and features concertmaster and ASU graduate Luke Hill as soloist. Michael Keelan talked with Wiley on Heart of the Arts. Details available at the West Valley Symphony website.

    Arizona Musicfest Celebrates its 35th Anniversary with Mozart's 35th Symphony & Much More

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2026


    As part of its 35th Anniversary season, Arizona MusicFest presents its annual Festival Orchestra Week, four performances that take place from February 22nd through March 1st at La Casa de Christo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale. Greg Kostraba recently spoke with the Festival Orchestra's Music Director Robert Moody about the concerts, which will be performed by some of the finest orchestral musicians from across North America. Tickets for the performance are available at the Arizona Musicfest website.

    Arizona Musicfest Celebrates its 35th Anniversary with Mozart's 35th Symphony & Much More

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2026


    As part of its 35th Anniversary season, Arizona MusicFest presents its annual Festival Orchestra Week, four performances that take place from February 22nd through March 1st at La Casa de Christo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale. Greg Kostraba recently spoke with the Festival Orchestra's Music Director Robert Moody about the concerts, which will be performed by some of the finest orchestral musicians from across North America. Tickets for the performance are available at the Arizona Musicfest website.

    AZ Bach Festival Presents Arizona Premiere of Recently-Discovered Oratorio

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2026


    The 17th annual Arizona Bach Festival takes place February 15th through March 8th at various locations throughout the Valley. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently talked to the festival's Artistic Director Scott Youngs about the concerts, which include chamber and orchestral music by J.S. Bach, as well as the Arizona premiere of an oratorio commissioned by the Jewish community in Amsterdam in the 1770s. Tickets for the performance are available at the Arizona Bach Festival website.

    AZ Bach Festival Presents Arizona Premiere of Recently-Discovered Oratorio

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2026


    The 17th annual Arizona Bach Festival takes place February 15th through March 8th at various locations throughout the Valley. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently talked to the festival's Artistic Director Scott Youngs about the concerts, which include chamber and orchestral music by J.S. Bach, as well as the Arizona premiere of an oratorio commissioned by the Jewish community in Amsterdam in the 1770s. Tickets for the performance are available at the Arizona Bach Festival website.

    Valley-native Cellist Peter Eom Returns with the MusicaNova Orchestra

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2026


    The MusicaNova Orchestra presents its “Baroque to the Future” concert February 7th at Tempe Center for the Arts. The program features music by 19th through 21st century composers harkening back to the Baroque Era for inspiration. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently chatted with conductor Warren Cohen and guest cellist and Valley native Peter Eom about the concert.

    Valley-native Cellist Peter Eom Returns with the MusicaNova Orchestra

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2026


    The MusicaNova Orchestra presents its “Baroque to the Future” concert February 7th at Tempe Center for the Arts. The program features music by 19th through 21st century composers harkening back to the Baroque Era for inspiration. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently chatted with conductor Warren Cohen and guest cellist and Valley native Peter Eom about the concert.

    Chamber Music at Banner - University Medical Center

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2026


    ASU Collaborative Piano Professor Miki Aoki and several of her students have organized a series of performances at Banner - University Medical Center in Phoenix for patients and families who spend long stretches in the hospital. They recently spoke with KBACH's Greg Kostraba about the project.

    chamber music banner university medical center
    Chamber Music at Banner - University Medical Center

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2026


    ASU Collaborative Piano Professor Miki Aoki and several of her students have organized a series of performances at Banner - University Medical Center in Phoenix for patients and families who spend long stretches in the hospital. They recently spoke with KBACH's Greg Kostraba about the project.

    chamber music banner university medical center
    Transcendence with the Phoenix Chorale

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2026


    The Phoenix Chorale presents "Transcendence" January 24 & 25 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. KBACH's Greg Kostraba talked with the chorale's Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas about the program, which includes a full orchestra and an expanded chorus augmented by student singers from across the state. Tickets for the performance are available here.

    Transcendence with the Phoenix Chorale

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2026


    The Phoenix Chorale presents "Transcendence" January 24 & 25 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. KBACH's Greg Kostraba talked with the chorale's Artistic Director Christopher Gabbitas about the program, which includes a full orchestra and an expanded chorus augmented by student singers from across the state. Tickets for the performance are available here.

    Opera star Angela Brower returns home as soloist with the Tucson Symphony

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2026


    One of the most successful Arizonans in classical music is mezzo-soprano Angela Brower. She is featured on Mozart opera recordings with the Metropolitan Opera's music director and sings the Mozart Requiem this month with the Tucson Symphony. A week prior to that she joins the same orchestra in the solo cantata Cléopâtre by Berlioz. Michael Keelan talked with her about the concerts conducted by José Luis Gomez. https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/event/debussy-la-mer-2026/2026-01-23/ https://www.tucsonsymphony.org/event/mozart-requiem/2026-01-31/1/

    Haydn with cellist Sterling Elliott and the Phoenix Symphony

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2026


    The Phoenix Symphony begins 2026 in concert January 9-11 at Symphony Hall. The program will include Pictures at an Exhibition, Antrópolis by Gabriela Ortiz, and Joseph Haydn's Cello Concerto #2 with guest cellist Sterling Elliott. KBACH's Greg Kostraba recently chatted with Elliott about the piece, and his blossoming career, which began as the youngest member of the Elliott Family String Quartet. Tickets for the performance are available at the Phoenix Symphony website.

    Chamber Music, A Cliburn Medalist, Suzanne Bona & More in Oracle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2025 11:38


    The Oracle Piano Society presents its 2026 Chamber Music Festival in early January in Oracle, Arizona. The society's founder...

    The Phoenix Chorale Brings Holiday Cheer to the Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2025 11:30


    The Phoenix Chorale presents "A Chorale Christmas" from December 19-22 at locations throughout the Valley. KBACH's Greg Kostraba talked...

    Desert Overture Celebrates the Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2025 7:27


    The Valley's LGBTQIA+Ally Wind Symphony plays Sunday, December 14th, 3 PM at Tempe Center for the Arts. Michael Keelan talked with artistic...

    The Carolyn Eynon Singers Bring Holiday Cheer to the Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2025 12:18


    The Carolyn Eynon Singers present "Holiday Carols & Classics" December 6th & 7th in Scottsdale. KBACH's Greg Kostraba chatted...

    The Phoenix Boys Choir Brings Holiday Cheer to the Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2025 10:22


    The Phoenix Boys Choir presents its Yuletide Holiday Concert Series from December 6th through the 20th at various locations throughout the Valley....

    Lidiya Yankovskaya conducts Scheherazade and Sandoval with the Phoenix Symphony

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2025 10:08


    From Nov. 21-23 the Phoenix Symphony hosts conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya with trumpeter Arturo Sandoval (Nov. 22-23 only). KBACH's Michael Keelan...

    Julie Desbordes starts leading Symphony of the Southwest

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2025 14:14


    Julie Desbordes conducts a remarkable variety of ensembles in the valley. Her newest is Symphony of the Southwest with their first concert of the...

    Rick Steves gives a musical European tour with the Phoenix Symphony

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2025 8:05


    The Phoenix Symphony features travel guru Rick Steves November 14-16 in the role of tour guide for Rick Steves' Europe: A Symphonic Journey. He...

    The LAGQ Takes Us From "Bach to Brazil"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2025 12:40


    The Phoenix Chamber Music Society presents the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet in concert Sunday, November 2 at 3pm at Camelback Bible Church in Paradise...

    brazil paradise bach los angeles guitar quartet lagq
    The MusicaNova Orchestra Presents "Not Quite Dead White Man Music"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 13:10


    The MusicaNova Orchestra will be in concert Friday, October 17 at 7:30pm at the Musical Instrument Museum. The centerpiece of their program is Dead...

    music dead orchestras white man musical instrument museum
    Caio Pagano Tests the Waters with a New Concert Series in Scottsdale

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2025 14:42


    Pianist Caio Pagano (pictured left) will perform music by Beethoven and Chopin at the Recital Hall of the Steinway Piano Gallery in Scottsdale,...

    Pianist Llewellyn Sánchez-Werner Plays Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto with the Phoenix Symphony

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2025 13:04


    The Phoenix Symphony opens its 2025-2026 season October 3-5 at Symphony Hall with Dvorak's "New World" Symphony and guest pianist...

    Arizona Pops Orchestra debuts with Mat & Savanna Shaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 10:57


    John Doney is the founder, President & CEO of the Arizona Pops Orchestra, which makes its debut Saturday, September 27 at Tempe Center for the...

    Safe from Summer Fires, Oracle Piano Society Previews Fall/Winter Activities

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 8:42


    Pianist Stephen Cook (pictured, left) is the founder and Artistic Director of the Oracle Piano Society in Oracle, Arizona, which presents a...

    Smooth Summer Sounds on the Downtown Chamber Series

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2025 12:46


    ASU professors flutist Elizabeth Buck and guitarist Martha Masters will be in recital on the Downtown Chamber Series Saturday & Sunday, August...

    The "Revolutionary" Etude, Clair de Lune & More with Pianist Miki Aoki

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 9:06


    ASU Assistant Professor of Collaborative Piano Miki Aoki will present a solo piano recital on Saturday, July 12th at the Recital Hall in the Steinway...

    Making Music on Make Music Day, June 21st

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025 9:08


    June 21st is the worldwide Make Music Day, and Rosie's House has planned free performances and other activities at 17 locations throughout the...

    A Summer Piano Festival in Phoenix

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 9:58


    The Arizona Piano Institute presents its 10th Summer Festival June 1st through the 7th at Phoenix College. Before the festival begins, the faculty of...

    The MusicaNova Orchestra Explores Humor in Classical Music

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 11:55


    The MusicaNova Orchestra presents its "Laughing with Prokofiev, Stravinsky & Haydn" concert May 18th at the Musical Instrument Museum....

    SOUNDS Academy Celebrates 10 Years

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 12:54


    The SOUNDS Academy presents its 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert on May 16th at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix. The Academy's Founder and CEO...

    Phoenix Chorale Brings "American Voices" to Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 10:54


    The Phoenix Chorale concludes its season on Saturday & Sunday, May 3rd and 4th with a program called “American Voices." The Chorale...

    Martin James Bartlett, the 2014 BBC Young Musician of the Year, Returns to Tempe

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 8:53


    British Pianist Martin James Bartlett will perform at Tempe Center for the Arts, Sunday, April 13th, as part of the Hayden's Ferry Chamber...

    arts tempe bbc young musician tempe center martin james bartlett
    Classical Music Inside Out with the Mike Block Trio

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2025 10:02


    The Mike Block Trio will be featured on the next concert of the Classical Music Inside Out series at Mesa Arts Center, Wednesday, April 9. The...

    Rachmaninoff & Copland with the Arizona MusicFest Festival Orchestra

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 10:56


    The Arizona MusicFest Festival Orchestra culminates its annual week-long residency in the Valley with a performance Sunday, March 30th at 2pm at La...

    Catch the "Trout" Quintet with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in Phoenix

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2025 11:07


    The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) will be in performance Saturday, March 22 at Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley. The co-...

    The first-ever collaboration between the MusicaNova Orchestra & Phoenix Chorale

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 11:10


    The MusicaNova Orchestra & Phoenix Chorale team up for performances Saturday & Sunday, March 8-9 at Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley...

    Connor Chee, Combining His Navajo Heritage and Classical Piano Training in Oracle

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 8:02


    The Oracle Piano Society presents a recital by Navajo pianist/composer Connor Chee, Sunday afternoon, February 16th at 3 at the Oracle Center for the...

    Composer's Choice with Nokuthula Ngwenyama

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 8:52


    The Phoenix Chamber Music Society presents a program curated by composer-in-residence and violist Nokuthula Ngwenyama, Saturday afternoon, February...

    Women Rise with Cellist Rhonda Rider

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 11:02


    Boston-based cellist Rhonda Rider comes to Phoenix to perform at the MIM with the MusicNova Orchestra this Saturday at 6 P-M. She recently chatted...

    Claim K-BACH's Heart of the Arts

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel