New host Khadija Mbowe is joined by esteemed soprano Karen Slack for a no-holds-barred conversation about excellence, expectations, and self-esteem. 

Chapters:

[03:25] Fairytale love story

[05:19] Music in the household

[07:29] Veterinary dreams

[8:27] Journey into classical through CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts High School)

[14:11] Undiagnosed learning challenges

[15:07] The double-edged sword of winning the Rosa Ponselle scholarship 

[18:45] Approach to mentorship

[27:09] See the need, fill the need 

[29:03] #KikiKonversations

[33:14] Who heals the healers; unrealistic expectations placed on black women

[36:49] The struggle for self-care 

Music from this episode:

• Hannibal, Healing Tones, Karen Slack with The Philadelphia Orchestra  
• Bizet, Habanera, Denyce Graves Price, Bewilderment  (with text from Langston Hughes), Michelle Cann and Karen Slack
• Barnes, Taking Names,  Karen Slack

Links from this episode: 

• BANFF Opera in the 21st Century Program
• Bellini, "Casta Diva," Maria Callas
• Wagner, "Tristan Und Isolde" - Prelude & Leibestod,  Jessye Norman and Herbert von Karajan 
• Opera Philadelphia Sounds of Learning Rehearsal Program  
• La Forza Del Destino (Ponselle's debut)  
• Michelle Cann on the HearTOGETHER podcast
• #SayTheirNames
• #KikiKonversations
• Khadija Mbowe
• Karen Slack
  
  

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s HearTOGETHER series is generously supported by lead corporate sponsor Accordant Advisors. Additional major support has been provided by the Otto Haas Charitable Trust.