Denise sits down with concert pianist Richard Alston who was, perhaps, the most extraordinary pianist that Denise knew at Juilliard because he hung out with the actors.  A deep connection to the black church was a conversation, thread and a thru line for the interdisciplinary connection of the black students at Juilliard.  Connecting the dots and the lineage, this interview is fun, revealing and extremely intimate. Richard Alston is a masterful pianist, having appeared as a soloist and in recitals with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. After earning both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School of Music, Richard was poised for a career in both classical piano performance as well as performing arts education. His performance credits range from recitals, guest soloist with orchestras, live opera to radio and television broadcasts as well as CD recordings.

What You Will Hear

• Dorothy Early and Daisy Johnson, Richard’s first teachers
• What motivated and confirmed Richard’s pursuit of a career in music
• The Juilliard audition process
• Extraordinary experiences, relationships and love
• Richard’s mother
• The church and Richards music ministry
• Classically Black
• Family tree and musical lineage