XM Divas

The diva and the divo are back in the booth, this time with a different point of view! We’re lucky to have the fabulous stage director Eve Summer. We discuss everything from new staging ideas post pandemic and fresh re-tellings of age old stories while simultaneously building audience. We’ve enjoyed lots of interviews with lots of singers but this point of view is, indeed, entirely different!

Social Media!! It is legitimately everywhere. The diva and the divo sit down with Aaron Dodge, the social media master, to talk about harnessing the power that can be social media. With endless possibilities for an artist set on self promotion Aaron leads us through the technology jungles giving us invaluable insights and tips for all these platforms but especially the newer to the scene Tik Tok. With the singer, actor, dancer, director directly linked to their daily promotion you can’t miss the diva/o conversation with Aaron Dodge. 

BROADWAY IS BACK BABY!! The diva and divo can barely contain their excitement. Theaters are opening back up in the big apple and friends are getting back to work. Megan and Johnathan chat with the incomparable Raquel Suarez Groen of Broadway fame. Raquel chats with the diva/o about what she has been doing during her time off and after doing hundreds of performances as Carlotta in Phantom how excited she is to get back to it!

The diva and divo are back together again! Today, as we continue moving forward into a more positive space as companies and colleagues continue to announce live performances in a world post-pandemic, the diva puts on her marketing hat! We discuss the exciting space of “Opera-tunities”. Is opera bingeworthy? Is there a continued need for the virtual space as we head back to the stage? What about the chance to build a base with a different sort of opera-goer? The marketing mezzo talks big picture ideas about the exciting ways opera can branch out as we finally start to put this nightmare of a year in the rear-view.

TOGETHER AGAIN!! After a couple of months of interview episodes with some absolutely incredible guests the diva, Megan Miller, and the divo, Johnathan White are back together again! It’s just he and she along with a little bit of hope! With many us getting vaccinated the industry is starting to...dare we say it... make plans for the future! With that in mind Megan and Johnathan talk about everything auditions...from college to general to summer programs. Come spend some time with the diva and divo as they reminisce about their own experiences and talk about the future of how the audition process may look like in the industry. 

We are so excited to extend a warm welcome to two incredibly talented women, Kathryn Lewek and Janai Brugger! You may have seen Lewek on the stage in more complex roles as her voice fares well as The Queen of the Night in Mozart’s famed “Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)” or even Ginevra in “Ariodante”. Brugger has not only had several impressive roles (such as Pamina in “The Magic Flute), but she’s also a vocal coach on the Resonance app and has had her voice featured on one of the episodes of “Lovecraft Country”. Both have had a huge impact on the opera community and we can’t wait to shed a little light on their genius. 

Our final guest of the Black History Month series is one you won’t want to miss! Known for her astounding voice, masterful performances, and passion for opera, Denyce Graves is an absolute opera star. Not only that, but she’s using her new foundation (The Denyce Graves Foundation) to advocate for the revival of The National Opera House which was originally The National Negro Opera House. This commitment to the arts and passion for diversity is what makes us proud to have her on the show!

This week’s guest for our fourth Black History Month episode is one of incredible caliber! Join us as Kenny Overton introduces the wildly talented Mark Rucker. His voice has been heard all over the world, leaving critics in awe of his ability to bring characters to life. 

We are delighted to welcome our guest Babatunde Akinboboye, founder of HipHopera, to our third episode for Black History Month. Akinboboye, known for his revolutionary mixture of hip hop and opera, will be joined by our favorite co-host Kenny Overton.

For our second weekly installment celebrating Black History Month, the diva and divo are excited to have our very special co-host, Kenny Overton from the “Black Opera” live broadcast! In addition, we are also honored to invite the talented Othalie Graham, whose performances have captivated countless audiences. The Charlotte audiences will remember her brilliant portrayal of Lady Macbeth in 2019 which she had added to her already vast repertoire. Conversations continue about us moving forward as better artists and better people post-pandemic.