PODCAST · music
Black Music Seen
by Black Orchestral Network
The Black Music Seen Podcast highlights and celebrates Black musicians in genres where Black people are seldom seen. Produced by the Black Orchestral Network, Black Music Seen serves to lift our voices and tell our stories.
Episodes
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Dear American Orchestras III - Access Is Not Investment
For forty years, American orchestras have run diversity fellowship programs. For forty years, their own research has documented that those programs rarely lead to permanent employment. Nothing has changed. BON's third open letter, Dear American Orchestras III, names what those forty years…
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J’Nai Bridges: Freedom, Discipline, and the Life of a Black Opera Star
J’Nai Bridges is one of the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos in the world—and behind the global stages, there’s a deeper story about identity, discipline, and what it truly means to live in alignment. In this powerful conversation, J’Nai reflects on: What it means to feel grounded, confident, and...
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D-Composed: Black Creativity in Chamber Music
In this episode of Black Music Seen, host David Norville sits down with four members of the Chicago-based chamber music collective D-Composed: Caitlin Edwards (violin) Tahirah Whittington (cello) Khelsey Zarraga (violin) Wilfred Farquharson (viola) Together, they share the story behind an…
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William Henry Curry & Ralph Curry: Lightbulb Moments, Legacy & the Long Arc of Change
In this powerful episode of Black Music Seen, David Norville sits down with brothers William Henry Curry and Ralph Curry — two musicians whose lives trace the arc of Black classical history in America From pounding on pianos in working-class Pittsburgh homes to standing on the Great Wall of China...
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Informal Conversations to Sustained Advocacy with Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs
Following our conversation with Lawrence Brownlee, this episode centers on Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs — founding members of the Black Orchestral Network — for a deeper look at how BON began and what it means to build something that lasts. What started as informal conversations among friends...
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The Necessary Ingredient -- Featuring Tenor Lawrence Brownlee
In this episode of Black Music Seen, tenor Lawrence Brownlee joins Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs for an unfiltered conversation about the real work behind a lasting career in classical music. From singing in church to performing leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Brownlee reflects on the...
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Young Black Leaders at The Juilliard School — Featuring Black Collegiate Musicians
In this episode of Black Music Seen, we spotlight the next generation of leadership in Black classical music. Hosted by Brittney Bryanna Burgess — Executive Director of Black Collegiate Musicians — this conversation features Shania Watts (violist at The Juilliard School and President of the...
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Rosalyn Story, Violin
On today’s episode, we’re joined by violinist, writer, and cultural historian Rosalyn Story. For more than 30 years, Rosalyn Story has performed violin with the Fort Worth Symphony — but her artistry doesn’t stop there. She’s also a novelist, a journalist, and a passionate keeper of Black musical...
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Quenton Blache, Cellist and Composer
In today’s episode, we’ll meet 23-year-old Quenton Blache, a remarkable cellist and composer. Quenton has performed with prestigious groups like the National Youth Orchestra of the USA and Sphinx Virtuosi. He has also been commissioned to create works for the Sphinx Virtuosi, North Carolina…
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Beverly Kane Baker, Viola
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Beverly Kane Baker—a pioneering violist whose career has spanned decades, stages, and generations. From her early training at Juilliard to her role as principal violist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Beverly has carved out a legacy grounded in...
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Celebrating The Gateways Music Festival 2025
On today’s episode, We’re highlighting the Gateways Music Festival — a powerful meeting ground for Black classical musicians from across the country. It’s more than a festival. It’s a home. A reunion. A proving ground. You’ll hear from four extraordinary artists who carry that legacy forward…
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Carlos Simon, Composer
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Carlos Simon—a Grammy-nominated composer, cultural storyteller, and one of the most influential musical voices of our time. Carlos’s music blends gospel, jazz, classical, and cinematic soundscapes to tell stories that speak to our collective memory, our...
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Rhyuhn Green, Pianst and Composer
Today, we’re joined by a rising star whose artistry is captivating audiences worldwide—18-year-old pianist and composer Rhyuhn Green. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rhyuhn has already made waves with his award-winning single Symbiosis, featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk and From the Top, as well as...
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Black Music Seen LIVE at the BON Summit 2024
This month, we’re bringing you an extraordinary episode of Black Music Seen, recorded LIVE at our BON Summit this past October! Featuring two brilliant scholars: Dr. Matthew Morrison and Dr Richard Desinord, we explored the obstacles that hinder the integration and expression of Black cultural...
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The Uptown String Quartet
On today’s episode, we’re talking with The Uptown String Quartet, a group that was formed in the 80s and guided by the legendary American drummer and Composer Max Roach. The group started as a double quartet that played with Max’s band and later became a group that consisted of violinists Diane...
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Black Music Seen Honors Hispanic Heritage Month
Black Music Seen presents a special episode in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! This episode of Black Music Seen is a heartfelt tribute to Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez—the legendary Afro-Latin salsa singer whose legacy has shaped generations. In this episode, his children, Cita Rodriguez and...
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George Lewis - Composer & Trombonist
On today’s episode, we’ll meet George Lewis. A Chicago-born trombonist, technologist, musicologist, and composer. He’s the Artistic Director of the International Contemporary Ensemble and the Edwin H. Case Professor of American Music at Columbia University. He’s widely recognized as a trailblazer...
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Black Music Seen LIVE at SphinxConnect24
On February 24th, the Black Orchestral Network hosted a captivating live episode of Black Music Seen at SphinxConnect24. Facilitated by David Norviile, the episode featured an intergenerational panel discussion with four esteemed guests: Dale Allmond Breidenthal, Francisco Joubert, Jennifer…
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Black Music Seen Celebrates Women's History Month
Today's episode honors women in classical music. Join Lexi Ligon Halloway, Deja Wilson, Jennifer Arnold, and Ebonee Thomas from the BON steering committee as they lead an inspiring conversation celebrating the contributions of women in classical music. Plus, hear submissions from our amazing...
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Dale Allmond Breidenthal, Violin
In this episode, we'll meet Dale Allmond Breidenthal, a distinguished violinist hailing from Los Angeles, CA, with roots deeply embedded in the vibrant West Adams/Crenshaw District. Dale's musical journey began at the University of Southern California, where she honed her craft under the tutelage...
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Black Music Seen LIVE at the BON Summit 2023
From the Inaugural Black Orchestral Network Summit 2023 - BLACK MUSIC SEEN LIVE:Voices of Black Empowerment - a facilitated conversation about history of activism and Black Musicians Speakers: Dr. Fredara Hadley, Ethnomusicology Professor at The Juilliard School Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle, University...
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Booker Rowe Jr., Violin
In today’s episode, we’ll meet Booker Rowe. A Philadelphia born violinist who played for just over 50 years with the Philadelphia orchestra. He sat down with us to tell his story and even agreed to chat with two of our Black Orchestral Network founding members with whom he has a pretty special...
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Rufus Olivier Jr., Bassoon
In today’s episode, we’ll meet Rufus Olivier Jr. - the principal bassoonist for the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet. He joined the symphony in 1977 at only 21 years of age after winning the position for 2nd bassoon. When the Symphony split from the Opera, Rufus auditioned for the…
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Ann Hobson Pilot, Harp
Today’s episode takes us through the life and times of the harpist Ann Hobson Pilot - a black woman whose talent and prowess as a harp player shattered the color barrier of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1969, leading her to forge a decorated career as a harpist, inspiring many of the Black...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Black Music Seen Podcast highlights and celebrates Black musicians in genres where Black people are seldom seen. Produced by the Black Orchestral Network, Black Music Seen serves to lift our voices and tell our stories.
HOSTED BY
Black Orchestral Network
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Black Music Seen have?
Black Music Seen currently has 24 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Black Music Seen about?
The Black Music Seen Podcast highlights and celebrates Black musicians in genres where Black people are seldom seen. Produced by the Black Orchestral Network, Black Music Seen serves to lift our voices and tell our stories.
How often does Black Music Seen release new episodes?
Black Music Seen has 24 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Black Music Seen?
You can listen to Black Music Seen on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Black Music Seen?
Black Music Seen is created and hosted by Black Orchestral Network.
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