Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for a dynamic conversation with Makia, a performing artist and songwriter from Chicago’s historic Englewood neighborhood. Makia has energized audiences across the Midwest—from college campuses and house parties to major Chicago stages including Reggie’s Rock Club, Estate Nightclub, Collaboraction Theatre Company, and Schubas. His reach extends nationally, with performances at New York City’s iconic Pyramid Club in the Lower East Side and Miami Beach’s renowned Miami Live venue.

Known for crafting songs with unforgettable hooks, Makia pairs lyrical storytelling with a distinctive cadence and flow that sets him apart. Don’t miss this rising artist as he shares his journey, music, and creative vision on *The Sauce with Dawn Burns*.

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for an inspiring conversation with acclaimed saxophonist Jazmin Ghent. An international smooth jazz and gospel artist, Jazmin is a 2019 NAACP Image Award winner and a six-time Billboard Top 5 performer, with her #1 hit “Kickin’ It Up” leading the way.  An accomplished educator and dynamic performer, she has captivated audiences across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. In this episode, Jazmin shares how her name shaped her life’s journey, her passion for teaching, and what fans can expect at the Elkhart Jazz Festival, June 17–19. Plus, enjoy her music and stay tuned for more great conversations on *The Sauce with Dawn Burns*.

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Marvin Curtis and Deana “Dezha” Moore of Equity in the Arts. This innovative program is dedicated to ensuring all South Bend residents have access to the Morris Performing Arts Center—and to the arts beyond its walls.

Learn how Equity in the Arts has launched impactful initiatives, including the South Bend High School Music Festival, Manuscripts in May, Festival of Dance, Movies at the Morris, and Día de los Muertos. Dr. Curtis, Arts Equity & Public Art Coordinator for the City of South Bend, also serves as president of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. Deana Moore, General Manager of Venues, is a singer, songwriter, and community leader.

Tune in to *The Sauce with Dawn Burns* for insight, inspiration, and cultural connection.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a compelling conversation with acclaimed trumpeter Marques Carroll. Drawing national attention since 1996, Marques has shared the stage with legends including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, and Aretha Franklin. Born into a musical family in St. Louis, he discovered his passion at age eight and developed a rich, versatile musical voice rooted in jazz, classical, and Black American Music traditions. A gifted storyteller, Marques uses his artistry to bridge genres and move the soul.

Tune in to The Sauce for an inspiring journey through music, legacy, and creative expression.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for an inspiring conversation with Mr. G. Edwin Robinson, head of the Theatre Arts Program at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, New York. Robinson is the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented jointly by Carnegie Mellon University and The Tony Awards. This prestigious honor recognizes educators who demonstrate exceptional impact on students’ lives and embody the highest standards of the profession. Tune in to The Sauce for a powerful discussion on education, creativity, and life’s boundless possibilities.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a soulful conversation with vocalist, violinist, and songwriter Emmaline—one of today’s most captivating independent artists. From features in Rolling Stone and American Songwriter to opening for 10-time GRAMMY winner Chaka Khan, Emmaline’s smoky, jazz-infused, genre-fluid voice is turning heads worldwide. In 2023, she made her silver-screen debut in Sweetwater, singing classic standards and a powerful duet with Gary Clark Jr. With nearly 500,000 devoted fans online and millions of Spotify streams, Emmaline continues to shine on stage and screen. Her latest EP, Retro Kind of Love, blends sultry vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and virtuosic jazz violin into a timeless soundscape. Tune in to The Sauce with Dawn Burns, for an inspiring, behind-the-music story.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a soulful conversation with smooth jazz saxophonist Harold Dawson. Born in Chicago and raised in Kentucky, Dawson discovered his musical calling at thirteen and drew inspiration from artists like Boney James, Kenny G, and Dave Koz. Blending smooth jazz with R&B, funk, and soul, he reflects on key moments that shaped his journey—from meeting Dave Koz to becoming a full-time musician during the pandemic. Dawson also discusses collaboration, mental wellness, and his upcoming single with Jackiem Joyner. Tune in for an inspiring story.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a compelling conversation with NEA Jazz Master, Doris Duke Artist, and four-time GRAMMY Award–winning drummer, composer, producer, and educator Terri Lyne Carrington. She’s joined by Washington, DC–born and North Carolina–raised vocalist and composer Christie Dashiell.

This year, Carrington released the critically acclaimed album We Insist 2025!, a powerful reimagining of Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite. The highly celebrated project reflects on the past while challenging the present—honoring Roach’s original masterpiece and furthering Carrington’s lifelong commitment to using jazz as a force for social activism.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about music, legacy, and the enduring power of jazz to spark change. Photo Credit Erik Bardin

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a compelling conversation with author, NPR affiliate broadcaster, writer, and essayist Sid Shroyer. Sid joins Dawn to discuss his book, When Once Destroyed: a project that began as a letter to his grandson about his father and evolved into a powerful work of investigative research and reporting.

The book uncovers the hidden story behind the destruction of his father’s boyhood home and the erasure of the town of Somerset, Indiana. The title, When Once Destroyed, is drawn from Oliver Goldsmith’s poem “The Deserted Village,”echoing the lasting impact of loss, memory, and place.

Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation about history, legacy, and the story he wanted to share with his grandson..

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for an inspiring conversation with Jennifer Strombeck and Chad Rajski about the exciting creative resources available at Studio 304, located inside the St. Joseph County Public Library. This unique public space offers free access to tools and technology for producing print, video, and audio projects—along with a knowledgeable staff ready to help turn ideas into reality. Studio 304 fosters collaboration and creativity through guided access to cutting-edge media tools, including computer workstations, scanners, color printers, 3D printers, and professional recording studios. Artists and creators can build new skills through one-on-one support, classes, and special events. Recorded in November 2023, this conversation highlights the thrill of offering such an inclusive space—and the vital role community plays in helping creators learn, connect, and thrive.