Piedmont Arts

Master storyteller Donna Washington breaks down what makes a compelling story. Plus, we preview the International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem with organizer Brittany Giles-Jones, and share fun activities in FanFare!

There isn’t always a direct path for classical musicians who want to perform professionally to go from university to the stage. But renowned conductor James Meena aims to help these artists through a new venture called the Charlotte Lyric Theatre. Meena is the guest on this Piedmont Arts episode, and he explains how this career development program is working and getting results. Also, the latest edition of FanFare to help you plan fun activities in coming days.

Conductor James Meena joins the Piedmont Arts podcast to discuss how the Charlotte Lyric Theatre helps emerging classical artists transition to the stage. Plus, plan your weekend events with FanFare.

On this episode of Piedmont Arts, poet Cheryl Wilder discusses her latest collection, Singing Riptide, and what set her writing career in motion. Plus, learn about upcoming arts and culture happenings across our region with FanFare.

At An Appalachian Summer Festival in Boone this month, you can do everything from enjoying classical concerts to watching international films. And if you’re in the Greensboro area, the newly launched Eastern Festival of Music offers numerous concerts, many of them led by music director Gerard Schwarz. Find out more about both festival’s offerings by listening to this Piedmont Arts podcast episode.

At An Appalachian Summer Festival in Boone this month, you can do everything from enjoying classical concerts to watching international films. And if you’re in the Greensboro area, the newly launched Eastern Festival of Music offers numerous concerts, many of them led by music director Gerard Schwarz. Find out more about both festival’s offerings by listening to this Piedmont Arts podcast episode.

As American celebrates its 250th Anniversary this week, our Piedmont Arts podcast features two conversations that explore different aspects of the American experience, one past and one present. Moravian music expert Dr. Christopher Ogburn tells us how the Moravians, who settled in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, made significant contributions to music in colonial and post-Revolutionary America. And we talk to the composer and librettist of the opera The Falling and Rising which examines the ways war impacts modern military family life. Their opera is coming to the Brevard Music Center in July 2026.

Discover how Moravian music shaped early NC history with Dr. Christopher Ogburn, and preview the powerful modern military opera 'The Falling and Rising' coming to the Brevard Music Center in July 2026.

A rare opportunity for choral composers and lyricists is happening in Charlotte this week. It’s the second annual International Choral Composers Institute, a 5-day immersive program dedicated to nurturing and instructing those who create choral music. On this Piedmont Arts episode, we talk with Sherry Blevins, the Institute’s founder, about the ways participants will get practical, hands-on advice and instruction to further their careers.

Discover how Charlotte's International Choral Composers Institute is shaping the future of classical music. Founder Sherry Blevins joins Piedmont Arts to share practical career advice and hands-on instruction for choral composers and lyricists.