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.