It may be the start of summer, but the Divas are taking you back to school. Jump into Opera 101 as Xela and Megan review five things you should know about Opera in this edu-taining episode.

Minutes before the curtain went up for the closing performance of I Dream. XM Divas sat down with composer Douglas Tappin and leading actor Derrick Davis for a behind the scenes look at what it took to bring this new Opera and its leading man to life. Find out how Derrick, a Broadway veteran, prepared for his first operatic role, what challenges he’d like to take on next and his pre-show rituals. Douglas shares a little about what made him think Opera was the right art form to take on the iconic historical figure, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s and his legacy. Don’t worry, It’s not ALL serious. Douglas and Derrick took on the rapid-fire questions Megan and Xela threw at them with some serious swagger.

If you haven’t already seen the gorgeous photos from our podcast launch photoshoot… you should take a look - Check out the Video -we’ll wait! We worked with a killer team that helped us enter the podcast world with a BANG; Richard Israel, Whitley Hamlin, Andy Goh, Catie Starr, Stephanie Vitale, and Eric Irvin. But we can’t thank our fantastic partners, Merchant & Trade, enough for letting us takeover their luxurious Rooftop Space on top of the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel.

On this episode of XM Divas we interview Director of Food & Beverage at the Kimpton Tryon Park, Andrew Carlson to talk about Opera Experiences. We dive into dress codes, cocktails, what to do before/after an opera and we dish on the Charlotte Night life scene!

( 0:41 ): Alright, we are back for another episode of XM Divas. We are live recording at Merchant & Trade. We are joined here with the Food and Beverage Director of the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, Andy Carlson. 

( 2:09 ): Megan asks Andy: what was your inspiration behind the concept of Merchant & Trade?

( 4:22 ): Xela asks Andy: where do you think Merchant & Trade fits in with the rest of the nightlife in Charlotte?

( 4:56 ): Xela asks Andy: do people like to watch the Knights game from here?

( 7:13 ): Xela asks Andy: have you seen an opera before?

( 7:37 ): Xela asks Andy: what is your conception of opera?

( 9:11  ): Xela asks Andy: do you have dress code requirements?  

( 12:08 ): Megan asks Andy: if people want more information, where do they go?

XM Divas is hosted by Xela Pinkerton and Megan Miller, and recorded in Charlotte, NC. Our producers are Andy Goh and Stephanie Vitale. Remember to rate, subscribe, favorite and review us on your podcast platform of choice, it helps up get discovered by other listeners! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@xmdivas), and bookmark our website, xmdivas.com.

It takes a village to raise strong daughters and it takes especially strong ones to raise divas. We’re dedicating an entire episode to the village matriarchs that raised us, our mothers! 

Laugh (and cry) along with us as we interview Diane Walters (Megan's mom) and Anne Pinkerton (Xela's mom). These women shaped us into the creative minds that we are today and put up with our Shenanigans. Listen in as we dive into embarrassing stories about what we were like as kids, our audition journeys, and how opera came into our lives. 

Grab a glass of wine (or two- no judgement) and join us as we give a toast to all mothers today.  We love you! 

( 0:41 ): Alright, we are back for another episode of XM Divas. We are joined today with our
mothers for Mother’s Day.
( 2:15 ): Megan asks her mom: What was it like attending elementary school performances?
( 4:11 ): Xela asks her mom: Do you have any similar experiences?
( 5:30 ): Xela asks her mom: Was there anything special about me?
( 7:35 ): Megan asks her mom: Did I ever make your nervous when I’d sing?
( 10:10 ): Xela asks Megan: When did you start taking voice lessons?
( 12:12 ): Megan asks her mom: Let’s talk about stage moms.
( 17:20 ): Xela asks her mom: Explain how I was born early.
(19:41) Megan asks her mom: When do you decide that this talent can be used professionally or it’s just a hobby?
(25:42) Megan asks Xela: What was the best pop up performance we’ve done?

XM Divas is hosted by Xela Pinkerton and Megan Miller, and recorded in Charlotte, NC. Our producers are Andy Goh and Stephanie Vitale. Remember to rate, subscribe, favorite and review us on your podcast platform of choice, it helps up get discovered by other listeners! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@xmdivas), and bookmark our website, xmdivas.com.

 

Let's face it: not everyone has been to an opera in their lifetime. In fact, there's a decent chance that if you're listening to this podcast, *you* may not have been to an opera before. Hey, that's totally cool! That's where we come in.

In this week's episode of XM Divas, Xela tells us about her date with an Opera Virgin. Xela shares her experience bringing her prospective boo into the world of opera, and Megan gives us some good do's and don'ts when it comes to courting an opera vet.

( 0:48 ):  Xela: We are going to talk about my first date with an Opera Virgin

( 2:11 ): Xela asked Megan: “What is the number one reaction you receive when you tell people you sing opera?”

( 4:27 ): Xela: Every opera singer has a “go-to” karaoke song

( 5:01 ): Megan: People ask me if I have any pictures of me performing

( 5:53 ): Megan: Mezzo’s don’t get the sexiest costumes

( 6:55 ): Megan: Stage makeup is not pretty

( 7:40 ): Xela: It’s great when you get an Opera Virgin to second base

( 7:56 ): Xela: It’s usually frowned upon to drink a lot at the opera

( 10:13 ): Megan asked Xela: “What happens when you get to third base?”

( 11:23 ): Megan: Asking someone on a date to the opera

XM Divas is hosted by Xela Pinkerton and Megan Miller, and recorded in Charlotte, NC. Our producers are Andy Goh and Stephanie Vitale. Remember to rate, subscribe, favorite and review us on your podcast platform of choice, it helps up get discovered by other listeners! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and bookmark our website, xmdivas.com.

Megan Miller & Xela Pinkerton, both professional opera singers, have set forth to bring you their uncensored opinion on the stigmas and stereotypes that surround the world of Opera. Not because you asked for it but because they are sick of everyone thinking that opera is still the fat lady from looney tunes singing in her horned Viking helmet.

Listen in on their crazy journeys as they give listeners a sneak peek behind the curtain and into the lives of today’s modern opera singers, wine addictions, health & fitness routines while traveling,  insight on how opera has influenced every damn commercial on TV today, and of course your weekly dose of opera realness.

In this, the pilot episode of XM Divas, you get to meet Megan and Xela, and hear little bit about their background not only working in opera, but performing too. They talk about what you can expect from the show, what some of their opera-newbie pet peeves are, what kind of music you can expect to hear if you get into their car, and much more.