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A new North Carolina theater group called Piedmont Shakespeare company makes its debut in June 2025 with a touring production of "Hamlet." All nine performances at indoor and outdoor venues are free. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, we sit down with the company's three founders to talk about their plans. Learn more about Piedmont Shakespeare Company
Providing students with music education opportunities is the mission of North Carolina Youth Orchestra. Based in the Lake Norman area, the organization has seen rapid growth in recent years and offers kids a range of options from beginning classes to full orchestras. They now serve about 225 students. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, executive director Eric Boruff talks about how North Carolina is working to meet the growing demand for music instruction in our region and about what's next.
By David Boraks Photographer Annie Leibovitz is legendary for her iconic photos of celebrities - from professional athletes and politicians to entertainers and artists. Many of those photos, plus a few you haven't seen, are in the exhibit "Annie Leibovitz/WORK" at the Mint Museum Uptown through the end of August. Jen Sudul-Edwards chief curator for the Mint talks about Leibovitz's style and career. Learn more about the Annie Leibovitz/WORK exhibit at the Mint Museum.
After the beloved Manor Theater closed its doors in 2020, there weren't many places to see art house and foreign films on the big screen in the Charlotte area. On top of that, the COVID-19 pandemic had put the entire movie theater industry in jeopardy. But that's exactly when the Charlotte Film Society made the bold decision to find investors and start a new, not-for-profit, multi-screen cinema. The Independent Picture House opened its doors in 2022 and hasn't looked back. We talk to executive director Brad Ritter about the early days of this destination for film lovers, as well as what we can look forward to seeing at the Independent Picture House in the weeks and months ahead. Pictured: Executive director Brad Ritter or the Independent Picture House. Phil Vavra/WDAV Pictured: Brad Ritter in the lobby of the Independent Picture House theater. Phil Vavra/WDAV
In recent years, Raehann Bryce-Davis has become a familiar name in the world of opera through performances at the Met, Santa Fe, Houston, Los Angeles, and in opera houses across Europe. She is the mezzo-soprano soloist for the Winston-Salem Symphony’s performance of Verdi’s Requiem , one of her favorite works to sing. On this episode, Bryce-Davis talks about singing Verdi and her newly released album, “Evolution,” an eclectic recording with everything from art song to electronic dance music. Learn more about Verdi’s Requiem at Winston-Salem Symphony
In recent years, Raehann Bryce-Davis has become a familiar name in the world of opera through performances at the Met, Santa Fe, Houston, Los Angeles, and in opera houses across Europe. She is the mezzo-soprano soloist for the Winston-Salem Symphony's performance of Verdi's Requiem, one of her favorite works to sing. On this episode, Bryce-Davis talks about singing Verdi and her newly released album, “Evolution,” an eclectic recording with everything from art song to electronic dance music. Learn more about Verdi's Requiem at Winston-Salem Symphony. Pictured: Raehann Bryce-Davis. Wolf Dieter Grabner/IMG Artists.
After 25 years, Maestro Jim Meena is moving on from Opera Carolina. He led his last production, La Boheme, with the company as their artistic director and principal conductor. Meena sits down with WDAV's Frank Dominguez to talk about his time as one of the Queen City's longest and most influential artistic leaders. They chat about everything from memorable performances of operas like Margaret Garner to the challenges of the 2008 financial crisis and Covid pandemic.
After 25 years, Maestro Jim Meena is moving on from Opera Carolina. He led his last production, La Boheme , with the company as their artistic director and principal conductor. Meena sits down with WDAV’s Frank Dominguez to talk about his time as one of the Queen City’s longest and most influential artistic leaders. They chat about everything from memorable performances of operas like Margaret Garner to the challenges of the 2008 financial crisis and Covid pandemic.
The African art galleries at Charlotte's Mint Museum Randolph have a new look, and it's more than just paint. On this Piedmont Arts, we talk with the curators who researched each of the several hundred objects in the museum's–Jen Sudul Edwards and Lisa Homann. They recently reinstalled the work, along with some new and borrowed pieces, in the first major update in years. Learn more about the Mint Museum African Art Exhibit
The African art galleries at Charlotte's Mint Museum Randolph have a new look, and it's more than just paint. On this Piedmont Arts, we talk with the curators who researched each of the several hundred objects in the museum's–Jen Sudul Edwards and Lisa Homann. They recently reinstalled the work, along with some new and borrowed pieces, in the first major update in years. Learn more about the Mint Museum African Art Exhibit Jennifer Sudul Edwards Lisa Homann African Art exhibit at the Mint Museum Randolph
Adam Santalla Pierce was named president of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte in February 2025. He talks about the state of the arts in Charlotte and his vision for the organization. Adam Santalla Pierce courtesy of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte.
Adam Santalla Pierce was named president of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte in February 2025. He talks about the state of the arts in Charlotte and his vision for the organization. Pictured: Adam Santalla Pierce courtesy of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte.
On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with Jane Cain and Barbara Krumdieck, organizers of the first Davidson Bach Festival. It's a collaboration between the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, Organ at Davidson, and the Davidson College Music Department. Jane Cain Barbara Krumdieck
On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with Jane Cain and Barbara Krumdieck, organizers of the first Davidson Bach Festival. It's a collaboration between the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, Organ at Davidson, and the Davidson College Music Department. Jane Cain Barbara Krumdieck
The School of Music at the UNC School of the Arts is presenting the second annual "Spontaneous Sound" festival celebrating improvisational music at the Millennium Center in downtown Winston-Salem. The festival is the brainchild of Steve Alford, UNCSA Director of Improvised Music and Jazz. He talks about the event on Piedmont Arts podcast. Plus, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra president & CEO David Fisk chats about the newly announced ‘25-‘26 season which will be the first one fully shaped by music director Kwame Ryan.
The School of Music at the UNC School of the Arts is presenting the second annual "Spontaneous Sound" festival celebrating improvisational music at the Millennium Center in downtown Winston-Salem. The festival is the brainchild of Steve Alford, UNCSA Director of Improvised Music and Jazz. He talks about the event on Piedmont Arts podcast. Plus, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra president & CEO David Fisk chats about the newly announced ‘25-‘26 season which will be the first one fully shaped by music director Kwame Ryan.
The 1920s Carolina Theatre in Charlotte reopens in March 2025 after a decade of planning, fundraising and construction. The $80 million project was led by the Foundation for the Carolinas. On this week Piedmont Arts podcast, we tour the renovated building and hear about upcoming events. Also, news about turmoil at the Eastern Music Festival and Opera Carolina. Pictured: Exterior of the Carolina Theater; credit David Boraks. Pictured: Lobby of the Carolina Theater; credit David Boraks. Pictured: Douglas Young (left) and Sean Seifert; credit David Boraks. Pictured: Stage of the Carolina Theater; credit David Boraks.
The 1920s Carolina Theatre in Charlotte reopens in March 2025 after a decade of planning, fundraising and construction. The $80 million project was led by the Foundation for the Carolinas. On this week Piedmont Arts podcast, we tour the renovated building and hear about upcoming events. Also, news about turmoil at the Eastern Music Festival and Opera Carolina. Pictured: Exterior of the Carolina Theater; credit David Boraks. Pictured: Lobby of the Carolina Theater; credit David Boraks. Pictured: Douglas Young (left) and Sean Seifert; credit David Boraks. Pictured: Stage of the Carolina Theater; credit David Boraks.
The Charlotte Symphony is honoring cellist Alan Black who is retiring after 38 years -- 35 of them as principal cello. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, he reflects on his career in Charlotte, both as a Symphony musician and as an artistic director who has developed and curated several performance series through the years. Listen to the conversation and hear critic Lawrence Toppman’s take on the Charlotte Symphony’s performance of “Become Ocean.”
The Charlotte Symphony is honoring cellist Alan Black who is retiring after 38 years – 35 of them as principal cello. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, he reflects on his career in Charlotte, both as a Symphony musician and as an artistic director who has developed and curated several performance series through the years. Listen to the conversation and hear critic Lawrence Toppman's take on the Charlotte Symphony's performance of “Become Ocean.”
Davidson College Art Galleries has an exhibit of paintings by Elizabeth Bradford on view. She's a Huntersville native who draws inspiration from the farm country she grew up on. On this Piedmont Arts she talks about her career and how the loss of open spaces influences her work.
On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we go behind the scenes for an interview with Loki Karuna, the host of WDAV's NoteWorthy series. He's an audio producer with a mission to expand our view of classical music.
Mandolinists and mandolin lovers will gather at Davidson College for a Mandolin Symposium, with public concerts and workshops. We talk to organizers Michael Orlando and Jonah Horton about their mandolin careers and symposium's events. We'll also hear from the director of Theatre Charlotte's new comedy, "The Play that Goes Wrong." Learn more about the Mandolin Symposium at Davidson College Pictured (l-r): Michael Orlando and Jonah Horton.
Middle C Jazz in uptown Charlotte was founded in 2019, right before the pandemic. It's now attracting top musicians - and crowds. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with founder Larry Farber about the club, the music and his role in bringing jazz to a wider audience in Charlotte. Learn more about Middle C Jazz
The Musical Offering by Johann Sebastian Bach was written in response to a challenge from Frederick the Great of Prussia to create six-voice fugue based on a theme written by the King himself. Bach Akademie Charlotte will perform Bach's famous gift to the monarch, as well as works by other members of the Bach family, in a concert at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Charlotte. One of Bach Akademie's artistic leaders, cellist Guy Fishman, will lead the concert, and guest flutist Emi Ferguson, a 2023 recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, will be featured in her first ever Charlotte performance. The two musicians are guests on this week’s Piedmont Arts podcast episode, and they talk about performing The Musical Offering which they contend is a beautifully brilliant response to Frederick’s challenge. Learn more about the Bach Akademie Charlotte The Musical Offering concert
Coming up on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (2025), the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture in Charlotte will host a day of events called "Designing the Future." A panel discussion will look at the late 1960s project in North Carolina's Warren County called "Soul City." On this Piedmont Arts, we talk with Charlotte native and Seton Hall law professor Thomas Healy, who wrote the 2021 history "Soul City: Race, Equality, and the Lost Dream of an American Utopia." Learn more about this and other Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events at the Harvey B. Gantt Center .
World renowned pianist Orion Weiss joins the Charlotte Symphony for concerts in January. He'll be the soloist for two very different works: Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano and Winds and Bach's Harpsichord Concerto No. 6 . On this Piedmont Arts he talks about how much he enjoys learning new Bach works.
On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with Madeline Dierauf, an award-winning Appalachian fiddler and Davidson College student. She's a native of Brevard, North Carolina, who has been playing fiddle since she was eight. Hear more about her dual careers, her upcoming Rhodes Scholarship, and a bit of her music.
It's the 70th year for a Charlotte holiday tradition. Carolina Voices' Singing Christmas tree returns to Central Piedmont Community College's Halton Theater. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, host David Boraks talks with artistic and executive director Peter Leo about how Charlotte's is one of the oldest singing christmas trees in the country, and what's happening this year.
Kwame Ryan conducts his first concert as the Charlotte Symphony's Music Director this weekend at Belk Theatre in Charlotte. He and the orchestra, along with the Charlotte Master Chorale, will perform Johannes Brahms' beloved masterwork "A German Requiem." The composition has special significance for Ryan which is one of the reasons he wanted to put it on the program. He talks about why he has a personal connection to this masterpiece and about how much he is looking forward to performing with the CSO musicians on this episode of Piedmont Arts. Listen to the live broadcast of Brahms’ A German Requiem on WDAV
As the Charlotte area grows, so does its cultural offerings. On this Piedmont Arts, we talk to representatives from two of the newer arts organizations in our area. The Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius has a new exhibit called “Generations: Highlighting Indigenous Peoples, Cultures, and Artwork" which features creations by Catawba, Cherokee, Lumbee, and other artists. Cain Director of Visual Art & Education Simone El Bey gives us some background. We also hear from Matt Wetmore, artistic director and founder of Charlotte Chamber Choir, a semi-professional group now in its third year. Wetmore talks about their concert at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte.Learn more about “Generations: Highlighting Indigenous Peoples, Cultures, and Artwork"Learn more about the Charlotte Chamber Choir
As the Charlotte area grows, so does its cultural offerings. On this Piedmont Arts, we talk to representatives from two of the newer arts organizations in our area. The Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius has a new exhibit called “Generations: Highlighting Indigenous Peoples, Cultures, and Artwork" which features creations by Catawba, Cherokee, Lumbee, and other artists. Cain Director of Visual Art & Education Simone El Bey gives us some background. We also hear from Matt Wetmore, artistic director and founder of Charlotte Chamber Choir, a semi-professional group now in its third year. Wetmore talks about their concert at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte. Learn more about “ Generations: Highlighting Indigenous Peoples, Cultures, and Artwork " Learn more about the Charlotte Chamber Choir
A new exhibit at Charlotte's Mint Museum Uptown looks at the art and artists of the South in the first half of the 20th century. The show called "Southern/Modern" has more than 100 paintings and works on paper by artists from the region, or who worked here. On this episode of the Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with curator Jonathan Stuhlman and take a tour of the exhibit.Learn more at Mint Museum: "Southern/Modern"
A new exhibit at Charlotte's Mint Museum Uptown looks at the art and artists of the South in the first half of the 20th century. The show called "Southern/Modern" has more than 100 paintings and works on paper by artists from the region, or who worked here. On this episode of the Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with curator Jonathan Stuhlman and take a tour of the exhibit. Learn more at Mint Museum: "Southern/Modern"
Have you ever wanted to go into space? A virtual reality experience at Blumenthal Arts' new Blume Studios takes you there. "Space Explorers: The Infinite" uses virtual reality goggles to make you feel like you're on the International Space Station. Find out more in this Piedmont Arts podcast, along with a report on the upcoming Halloween concert by Charlotte's One Voice Chorus.
Have you ever wanted to go into space? A virtual reality experience at Blumenthal Arts' new Blume Studios takes you there. "Space Explorers: The Infinite" uses virtual reality goggles to make you feel like you're on the International Space Station. Find out more in this Piedmont Arts podcast, along with a report on the upcoming Halloween concert by Charlotte's One Voice Chorus.
JazzArts Charlotte has been around for 15 years, promoting jazz through education and concerts with top performers from around the world. On this episode, CEO and co-founder Lonnie Davis talks about the group's origins and how it's growing a new generation of jazz performers and fans through education and concerts. Learn more about JazzArts Charlotte .
JazzArts Charlotte has been around for 15 years, promoting jazz through education and concerts with top performers from around the world. On this episode, CEO and co-founder Lonnie Davis talks about the group's origins and how it's growing a new generation of jazz performers and fans through education and concerts. Learn more about JazzArts Charlotte. Lonnie Davis
Charlotte is trying to put itself back on the map as a music city, with an annual conference called Confluence. This year's event is at AvidXchange Music Factory and music venues around the city. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we'll hear from two of the organizers, Rick Thurmond and Liz Brigham, about what you'll see and hear. Learn more about the Confluence Music Conference
The North Carolina Brass Band performs a free concert in Charlotte at First United Methodist Church. It's a night of brass band and pipe organ music featuring organist Evan Currie. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with music director Brian Meixner and cornest Bill Lawing. Plus, we talk with singer-songwriter and classically trained cellist Ben Sollee. He talks about breaking boundaries with the cello, his social activism offstage, and his new post-pandemic album, The Long Haul . Learn more about the North Carolina Brass Band Learn more about Ben Sollee's The Long Haul
Museums across the Piedmont are hanging their fall shows. On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we have a preview that includes local and regional art at Charlotte's Mint Museum, Surrealism and African American artists at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, a Wizard of Oz-themed show at UNC Charlotte and more.
A new season of live music is starting for music groups and venues across the Piedmont. In this Piedmont Arts podcast, we have a few ideas as you plan your listening for the 2024-25 season. We preview what's coming from classical music groups like Bach Akademie Charlotte and 7th Street Concerts , monthly concerts from JazzArts Charlotte , and eclectic series like the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius and Music at St. Alban's in Davidson.
A new season of theater is coming up across the region. This episode previews Broadway shows at The Blumenthal in Charlotte, children's shows at Children's Theater of Charlotte, and productions at professional and community theaters from Charlotte to Salisbury to Hickory. Pictured: Lin-Manuel Miranda in the title role of his musical "Hamilton"; By Steve Jurvetson - CC BY 2.0 , Wikipedia .
Hosts Rachel Stewart and David Boraks preview the 2024 - 2025 opera season at companies around the region. Opera Carolina's James Meena talks about his company's season of classic operas, plus a special benefit concert with famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Opera Carolina Piedmont Opera North Carolina Opera Greensboro Opera
If you live near Winston-Salem, Hickory, Salisbury, Rock Hill, Monroe, or, of course, Charlotte, you’ll be close to some great music this year. The orchestras in those communities have a variety of concerts planned with varied repertoire. There's Bach, Beethoven and Brahms, but also contemporary composers including a former Miss America who writes music. There are pops concerts and evenings of film and cartoon music; programs that include actors, dancers and jugglers, and world class soloists; concerts outdoors and at breweries. There's something for everyone, and to get detailed information about the upcoming orchestra seasons in our region listen to this episode and visit the links below. Picture courtesy Charlotte Symphony Learn more: Charlotte Symphony Winston-Salem Symphony Salisbury Symphony Western Piedmont Symphony Union Symphony Rock Hill Symphony
The inaugural Carolina Youth Orchestra Summer Festival will take place at Davidson College in early August 2024. The three-day clinic is designed to help young musicians develop their musical skills under the tutelage of professional musicians and broaden their connections to our music community. The festival culminates in a free public concert at Duke Family Performance Hall on the Davidson campus. Festival organizers Eric Boruff of Cornelius Youth Orchestras and Tara Villa Keith of Davidson College talk about the festival. Pictured (l-r): Eric Boruff and Tara Keith. Eric Boruff Tara Keith
On this Piedmont Arts podcast, we talk with Shante Williams, the new general director of Opera Carolina. Williams is a business owner and venture capitalist who has been on the Opera Carolina board for three years. She talks about the upcoming season, her passion for new operas, and about the group's future.
Juneteenth marks the date on June 19, 1865, when news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the last remaining enslaved people in Texas. We talk with Davidson College historian Hilary Green about how Texas commemorations in the 19th century led to the declaration of a national holiday in 2021. We also get an overview of the Juneteenth events happening in the Charlotte area.
Bach Akademie Charlotte’s 2024 Bach Festival returns to various locations around Charlotte and this year’s festival is called “Bach Akademie Charlotte Goes to Italy.” While it is indeed a Bach festival, it’s bookended by opening and closing concerts that focus on music from Italy, namely Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 . We talk to Bach Akademie Charlotte leadership about those concerts as well as many of the other events, both concerts and educational sessions, that make up this year’s festival. Learn more about the Bach Festival: Bach Akademie Charlotte Goes to Italy Pictured: Aislinn Nosky by Sian Richards.
In this episode, I have the real honor of featuring an enormously respected local organization that is doing work that really matters in the Lake Norman and great Charlotte communities.WDAV is a non-commercial public radio station that broadcasts classical music and fine arts programming 24 hours a day. WDAV is a nonprofit that is licensed to Davidson College and is an NPR member station.Frank Dominguez is the General Manager at WDAV, and he joins me to share the story of his journey in broadcasting, and the story of WDAV.Listeners, thanks as always for subscribing to The Best of LKN podcast and following along with me as I share these stories of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and leaders of local nonprofits every week. WDAV.orgSubscribe to Lake Norman's #1 Weekly Email Newsletter - it's free, and it's good.Special thanks to our sponsors! Support the show
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