Divas, Ingénues & Vixens Podcast

This week on Divas, Ingénues & Vixens, Amity journeys into the world of The Alchemist with Lauren and Taylor of Apothogothic for a sensory exploration of pilgrimage, intuition, flamenco, Andalusian music, and the fragrance Santiago. Inspired by Paulo Coelho’s beloved novel and a fantastic playlist, this immersive episode blends literature, scent, music, memory, and storytelling into a journey about longing, destiny, and the search for meaning. Featuring: ✨ passages from The Alchemist ✨ flamenco and Andalusian musical influences ✨ a guided “Listen While You Smell” experience ✨ reflections on pilgrimage and transformation ✨ and the beginning of a mysterious summer arc still unfolding The treasure was real. But so was the journey.

Three women. One band. A thousand harmonies between them. Lauren Flynn, Tiffany Smith, and Aubrey Dykeman of OLIVIA FOX join Amity Bryson for a conversation about harmony, collaboration, women supporting women, and the courage to keep creating. In this episode of Divas, Ingénues & Vixens, we explore the meaning behind “We Are OLIVIA FOX,” the beauty of collective artistry, songwriting, vulnerability, and the power of finding your voice inside a community. Plus: a spotlight on the Lyrical Belles songwriter series at Knuckleheads in Kansas City.

It sounds simple—until you hear it. In this Season Two premiere of Divas, Ingénues & Vixens, Amity Bryson invites you into a listening experience that goes beyond music theory and into something deeper: how rhythm shapes the way we move, decide, and feel. Through a guided listening moment, the pulse of 2 and 3 becomes more than sound—it becomes identity. Where do you crave certainty? Where do you resist it? And what happens when you finally hear the difference? Framed through the lens of the Diva, the Ingénue, and the Vixen, this episode opens Season Two with a question that lingers long after the music stops. And for those ready to go deeper… the Velvet Circle is open.

She was never meant to be heard—until the music gave her a voice.   In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, Curley’s wife exists at the edge of the story—unnamed, misunderstood, and often dismissed. But in Carlisle Floyd’s operatic adaptation, something changes. She sings. In this episode, Amity explores what happens when a woman defined by silence is finally given a voice—through the music of Of Mice and Men and the deeply nuanced performance of soprano Sara Gartland. This is not just a retelling of a familiar story. It’s an invitation to hear it differently.   OF MICE AND MEN in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre performed by the Lyric Opera of Kansas City May 1, 2 and 3, 2026 Get your tickets to see the show at www.kcopera.org   

Play from your heart . . . Everything else follows!   What does it mean to make music that is honest… grounded… and truly your own? In this episode, Amity Bryson sits down with Amanda Fish to explore the journey from precision to presence—what happens when an artist stops chasing perfection and starts playing from the heart. From the rich, experimental “laboratory” of the Kansas City music scene to the deeply personal process of songwriting, Amanda reflects on building a career rooted in authenticity, humility, and creative evolution. But this conversation doesn’t stop with one artist. Alongside Amanda is emerging musician Haley Burke, offering a powerful, real-time glimpse into mentorship, legacy, and what it means to pass artistry forward. In a genre built on lineage and lived experience, this episode asks: how do we honor tradition while still claiming our own voice? This is a conversation about music. About leadership. And about making space—for yourself, and for the next artist to rise.

Three voices. Three distinct paths. One unforgettable night. In this episode, I sit down with Holly Crays, Leah Sproul, and Damaris—three artists bringing their own sound, story, and spirit to the Lyrical Belles stage at Knuckleheads on April 23. Rooted in country and Americana but shaped by their own journeys, these are artists on the rise—each stepping onto a “bucket list” stage. Come meet the voices… and then hear them live. Tickets available at KnuckleheadsKC.com  

Episode 50. Fifty voices. One question: what makes a voice unforgettable? In this special episode of Divas, Ingénues & Vixens, I take you through a curated list of 50 women whose artistry has shaped how I listen—across opera, Broadway, folk, pop, jazz, gospel, and the vibrant music community of Kansas City. But this isn’t just a list. It’s a game. A reveal. A conversation between voices across generations. From icons to emerging artists, from global stages to local rooms, each voice offers a clue—until we arrive at the one who holds them all. Listen closely. You might hear more than you expect.  

In this deeply personal episode, Amity Bryson sits down with soprano Sarah Tannehill Anderson to reflect on a career shaped not only by extraordinary singing, but by intention, collaboration, and quiet artistic force. Through the archetypes of the Ingénue, the Vixen, and the Diva, Sarah revisits the moments that defined her journey—from early discovery to artistic risk to the spaces where everything aligned. The result is a conversation rich with memory, insight, and unmistakable joy. As Sarah prepares for her final professional performance, we celebrate not an ending, but a voice that continues to evolve and echo. Join her in the World Premiere of My Favorite Things, a joint production by Bach Aria Soloists and Kansas City Actors Theatre, on April 11 at 7:30 pm at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS. Tickets are available at BachAriaSoloists.com or KCActors.org.

What happens when Langston Hughes’ poetry moves from the page into the singing voice? In this episode, soprano and director Alyson Cambridge shares the creative process behind Langston Hughes: A Lyrical Life, a new production with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City that weaves poetry, music, and storytelling into a 45-minute theatrical experience. Amity is also joined by poet and professor Stanley Banks, who places Hughes within a larger cultural and historical context—revealing the rhythms, voices, and lived experiences that shaped his work. From the Harlem Renaissance to Kansas City’s own musical and storytelling traditions, this episode explores Hughes as both a literary icon and a living influence. Because when poetry is heard—really heard—it becomes something we carry forward.

Listening is more than hearing—it’s awareness, attention, and connection. In this immersive episode of Divas, Ingénues & Vixens, Amity Bryson explores the radical philosophy of composer Pauline Oliveros through her book Quantum Listening. Through guided listening exercises, sonic reflection, and a reimagining of the Diva, the Ingénue, and the Vixen, this episode invites you into a deeper awareness of sound—both around you and within you. What do you hear when you listen to silence? What sounds live in your memory? And what might change if listening itself became a creative act? This is not just an episode about music. It’s an invitation to experience the world differently.

Three singer-songwriters. Three unique voices. Amity Bryson welcomes Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Tracey Myers, and Maddie Lai to the podcast for a conversation about songwriting, storytelling, and the joy of sharing music with a live audience. Catch them live March 19 in the Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads Saloon as part of the Lyrical Belles series.

International Women’s Day is more than a celebration — it’s a call to build the systems that make women composers visible year-round. Amity Bryson speaks with Angel Azzurra of the Boulanger Initiative about the organization’s work expanding access to repertoire through the Boulanger Initiative Database (20,000 works and counting), educational programs, Wikipedia edit-a-thons, and partnerships with orchestras. Together they explore how programming, research, and advocacy can reshape the classical canon — one score, one stage, and one community at a time. From the rehearsal room to the concert hall, this conversation asks a simple but powerful question: What does it take not just to celebrate women composers… but to integrate them into the living fabric of music history?

Opening night of Porgy and Bess at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City did not disappoint. In this special ENCORE episode, I reflect on Michelle Bradley’s Bess debut, the remarkable sense of community onstage, and the devastating beauty of Gershwin’s American masterpiece. From the power of “Summertime” to the storm that changes everything, this production reminds us why opera endures: that heartbreak is part of the beauty.

What does it mean to witness a woman trying to survive? In this episode, Amity turns her lens toward one of the most complex female roles in the American repertoire: Bess in Porgy and Bess. In conversation with acclaimed soprano Michelle Bradley, who brings Bess to life with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, this episode explores autonomy, embodiment, vulnerability, and presence under pressure. Together, they unpack the musical and dramatic architecture of Gershwin’s score, from the fragile hope of “Bess, You Is My Woman Now” to the quiet devastation of the final act. Through a contemporary lens — touching on community care, harm reduction, and moral agency — this conversation asks not whether Bess is redeemable, but what she asks of us as witnesses. Amity also guides listeners through key scenes that illuminate Bess’s development, offering context for opera newcomers and seasoned music lovers alike. Whether you love opera, musical theatre, or jazz, this episode reveals how Porgy and Bess continues to shape American sound — and why it resonates deeply in Kansas City in 2026. This is not an episode about resolving Bess. It’s about staying with her.

Special Edition: Preserving Women’s Legacy In this special, follow up episode the focus shifts to the Women Religious Archives Collaborative and the vital work of preserving the stories of Catholic sisters in the United States. Joined by Sr. Sue Durkin and historian Dr. Carol Coburn, we explore how women religious built the institutions that shaped American education, healthcare, and social justice — and why protecting their legacy matters now. Because history survives when someone chooses to remember.

The Broadway musical SUFFS by Shaina Taub* tells the story of suffragettes fighting to be heard. But what about the women who built the institutions that made change possible?* In this episode, I speak with performer Marya Grandy [Carrie Chapman Catt] and Sr. Sue Durkin of the Women Religious Archives Collaborative about voice, leadership, archives, and the quiet endurance of Catholic sisters whose impact shaped American life. Some women marched. Some women built. All of them matter. Because preserving women’s history isn’t nostalgia — it’s responsibility. {Stay tuned for a special edition follow up episode or check out additional materials at www.AmityHBryson.com}

In this fourth installment of What Does Music Smell Like?, I am joined once again by Lauren and Taylor of Apothogothic to unveil LILITH—a scent shaped by desire, boundaries, and sovereignty. Together, they reflect on the arc of year one—MIRAGE, WILDE, EMBER, and now LILITH—and the way seasons, playlists, and lived experience inform the creative process. From Sophie B. Hawkins to Joni Mitchell, Jill Scott to TRIBE (and more!) the LILITH playlist traces a musical journey of I want. I protect. I stand. The episode’s finale is a slow, intentional unboxing, inviting listeners to co-create the experience as scent, sound, and story merge. Through the archetypes: The Diva claims aesthetic sovereignty—luxury, worth, and presence. The Ingénue discovers intimacy and first-time wonder. The Vixen recognizes this is not self-care, but self-definition. This episode is a celebration of women-led artistry, creative ritual, and the joy of building something with intention. LILITH marks both a culmination—and a bold invitation into what comes next. Find the full video of the unboxing on INSTAGRAM @AmityBryson

Lyrical Belles return for a follow-up conversation as the collective prepares for their upcoming live show at Knuckleheads on February 12. Building on their original origin-story episode (S1 Ep. 6) this conversation moves beyond how the group began and into what the work looks like now — onstage, behind the scenes, and within the evolving Kansas City music community. The founders reflect on how the collective has grown, how performing together continues to shape their artistry, and what makes a Lyrical Belles show distinct from other live music experiences. The conversation explores collaboration, creative momentum, and the energy of women creating side-by-side in a listening-room style space. Tickets available at Knuckleheads.com   

In this episode, I explore how Mozart’s operatic women trace a developmental arc of feminine consciousness—from emotional awakening (the Ingénue), to selfhood and vocal power (the Diva), to embodied relational intelligence (the Vixen), and finally to something radically new: moral agency. Through arias by Pamina, the Countess, Fiordiligi, Zerlina, Susanna, and Vitellia, we hear how Mozart composes not just characters, but inner lives in motion. The episode reveals Mozart as a composer of subjectivity, showing how women in his operas become the emotional and ethical centers of their worlds—capable not only of feeling and choosing, but of transforming others through forgiveness, clarity, and conscious presence.

In this episode, Amity explores the Tony Award–winning musical Kimberly Akimbo, a tender and unexpected story about time, identity, and choosing adventure. From Jeanine Tesori’s luminous score to a heroine who lives between youth and age, this is a reflection on hope, mortality, and what it means to stand—cleverly akimbo—in your own life.

In this January episode of Divas, Ingénues & Vixens, Amity invites listeners into a thoughtful, generous, and deeply musical meditation on what it means to begin again. Through stories from the studio, philosophy, and personal experience, she explores why she proudly claims, “I am not a purist”—and why that stance opens richer, more honest ways of listening and making art. Answering listener questions from Evie in MN and Isak in TX, along the way, Amity celebrates the living relationship between creator, song, and listener—the heart of why certain music continues to matter across generations. Equal parts reflection and inspiration, this episode asks you to shed what no longer serves you, honor what sustains you, and step into the new year with curiosity, courage, and openness. Whether you arrive as a Diva, an Ingénue, or a Vixen, you’ll leave feeling invited to listen more deeply, trust your instincts, and begin January with renewed presence, wonder, and possibility.

This week on Divas, Ingénues & Vixens, Amity sits down with Black Hôk, a rising young blues band from Kansas City, as they prepare to head to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. Before the music takes over Beale Street, we pause to explore what it really means to play the blues—as a form, a feeling, and a living tradition. From the foundations of 12-bar blues to Kansas City’s rich musical legacy, this episode connects past and present, honoring the artists who built the road and the young musicians now walking it. A January reflection on beginnings, grit, and carrying the blues forward.

This New Year’s Day, Divas, Ingénues & Vixens offers a retrospective look at the year behind and the year ahead. Amity reflects on the relationships, artists, and turning points that made the past year so meaningful. From iconic artists to emerging voices, from first conversations to meaningful partnerships; through stories, gratitude and reflection this episode invites listeners to begin the year with intention, curiosity and joy. Less about direction, this episode is an invitation to stand Tall, stay Curious, and say YES to what’s next!

On Christmas Day, we pause at the turning of the year—where ancient winter fires meet familiar carols. This episode traces the Twelve Days of Yule and the Twelve Days of Christmas, honoring mothers and matriarchs, endurance and wonder, family and song. Joined by the joyful voices of a six- and seven-year-old, Amity reflects on how light returns not because we rush it, but because we listen, gather, and endure. Through the lens of the Diva, the Ingénue, and the Vixen, Christmas becomes not just a celebration, but a remembering.

I sat down with Marilyn Maye to discuss her Holly Jolly Folly Day performance on December 21st at 3:30 pm at The Folly Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. [Tickets available at follytheatre.org] Marilyn Maye brings a celebration of curiosity, intention, and joyful devotion to song. Through the lens of Divas, Ingénues & Vixens, this festive episode honors Marilyn Maye’s timeless artistry—from her unforgettable appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson to her enduring influence today—and invites us to embrace a little folly, a lot of wonder, and the belief that joy—and great singing—only grow richer with time. Happy Everything and Merry Always!!!

In this festive episode I unwrap a lineup of brand-new holiday music from rising artists and powerhouse women—including Lauren Anderson’s fiercely independent “‘Neath the Mistletoe” and SEYKO’s heartwarming “Better to Believe.” I'll also share a Santa inspired new recording from folk icon Dar Williams and highlight a few women-owned businesses bringing extra sparkle to the season. Part music discovery, part celebration of community, and fully wrapped in Diva, Ingénue, and Vixen magic, this episode is your invitation to believe, connect, and let the holiday glow in. Tune in and brighten your December!

Whether you crave the symphonic power of Handel’s Messiah at the Kauffman, the candlelit Baroque magic of Spire Chamber Ensemble, jazzy vibes with the KC Jazz Orchestra, or a singer-songwriter afternoon with Nicole Springer… there is holiday sparkle everywhere you turn. I’ve rounded up many magical events of the season on this week’s episode of Divas, Ingénues & Vixens—so grab your calendar, grab your cocoa, and let’s step into the Plaza lights together. If you have an event to add email me at [email protected] before 12/10; I'll give you and your event a shoutout in the next episode!

This special episode of gratitude and reflection is built on songs that personify the warmth and colors of the season; each song is performed live by me; all rights have been secured. Enjoy this little concert and my thankful musings!

Lauren and Taylor of Apothogothic join me to reveal the newest scent in their series: Velvet Ember! It is like hot chocolate for your ears!  We discuss the smells inspired by the playlist and deep dive into listening. Use code DIVAS15 for a 15% discount at Apothogothic.com

The November 20th Lyrical Belles show at Knuckleheads is going to be a big one!  These three women are incredible artists: Nicole Springer, Katie Ziegler and Lauren Anderson are stellar musicians and amazing women!  You do not want to miss this show--learn more in today's episode. Hear about Nicole's experiences traveling the world, Katie's new life adventures and Lauren's appearance on The Voice airing now on NBC. Frank at Knuckleheads is kicking off the Thanksgiving holiday by throwing open the doors for FRANKSgiving: one ticket gets you in the door for all four stages!  Come celebrate with us next Thursday at 8 pm.  Tickets available at KnuckleheadsKC.com

Enjoy the continued Maestra series within the podcast: conversations with women conductors.  Four conductors collaborate to lead Carmen KC a women's choir performing a free concert of ELEMENTS on November 22 at 3 pm at Hillcrest Christian Church (11411 Quivira, Overland Park, KS) Dr. Sheri Cook Cunningham, Dr. Melissa Grady, Elizabeth Mulkey and Roxanne Martin bring their voices and their joy for music to this ensemble.  Learn more about the conductors, the music, and the women of the ensemble in this episode.

Sage Christie dropped a new concept album LITTLE DEATHS on October 24th.  This album is an exploration of life, love, grief, change, and finding home.  The orchestrations are fantastic and so fitting to each song; after recording the album five times, I think Sage really nailed it!  You are going to love it!   Listen to their lyrical and musical analysis along with some music theory easter eggs (wait for it!)

Music Theatre Heritage (MTH) here in Kansas City is performing RENT October 2-26. Listen in for a reminder of why this musical is one of only 10 ever to earn a Pulitzer Prize and hear from Mimi herself, Jazlyn Epps who plays the role at MTH this month.  You have one more weekend to see the show and believe me, it is worth it!!!!

Meet the three young women singing with the Lyrical Belles at Knuckleheads next Thursday, October 23rd at 8 pm. Brooke Mertz, Kirra Alexis and Haley Burke take the stage and you won't want to miss this vibrant young artists.

DeAnn Kinsch releases her new concept album on October 15th; enjoy this album review and DeAnn's inspiration behind the project and absolutely get tickets to her live album release at Knuckleheads on October 15th (tickets at Knuckleheadskc.com or at the door)   All music is played with permission by the artist.

In this episode I sit down with two artists and friends: Jillian Riscoe, based in Kansas City, and Kamber, based in Nashville.  These women are dedicated artists and dear friends; listen to our discussion about what it means to "make it" as a working musician and how friends make all the difference! Don't miss Jillian Riscoe's album release show at the Rino in North Kansas City on October 9th at 7:00 pm (tickets are $10 in advance at therinokc.com)

Saturday night's premiere of Rossini's La Cenerentola at the Kansas City Lyric Opera was nothing short of magical.  Hear this short review and run, don't walk, to get tickets to one of the two remaining performances on October 3rd and 5th.

The Kansas City Lyric Opera presents Rossini's La Cenerentola September 27-October 5th.  This epsiode will prepare you to fully enjoy this epic production full of gorgeous singing, incredible set design, and beautiful-page-turning backdrops!  In addition to hearing the synopsis and music to listen for in the production, enjoy an interview with Scenic Charge: Bethany Elliot.  Her energy will inspire you to embrace live art and the sensuality of opera.

Community! Winfield, KS has built an incredible community around the Walnut Valley Music Festival.  Learn more through the eyes of Elexa Dawson and come join the fun September 18-21 in Winfield, KS

Nothing helps a lesson stick better than a tune you can hum!!! This deep dive into my early background in musical theatre and the women of Sondheim's musicals is a blast from the past!

The Maestra series focuses on women on the podium; Dr. Jamila McWhirter, Professor of Choral Music Education at Middle Tennessee State University, invites you to join her ensemble next May 13-17, 2026 in Honolulu Hawaii to sing Vivaldi's Gloria in D Major.  Hear about her passion and grit as she shares her vision.

On September 6 at 6:30 pm Isaac Cates Music will present AFFIRMATIONS at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood KS. Enjoy this behind the scenes perspective from several women involved in the event.  You'll hear from Allena Leah Ross and Kami Woodard and hear preview songs from Isaac Cates and Ordained, Callie Day, Alicia Peters-Jordan, Kami Woodard, Nicole Shaunte, and honored guest Oleta Adams.

A conversation with Seyko Groves from The Freedom Affair about the power of music, the joy of performance and the process of songwriting. Hear Seyko live on September 6 at the Crossroads Music Fest in Kansas City

Eboni Fondren's one woman show "Jazz: The Women Who Shaped Me" is a gem!  In this epsiode she shares her own background and musical influences, culminating in the show, as well as her own original music and future plans.

August triggers thoughts of back to school, so I reached out to some amazing artist educators to hear about their BIG GOALS.  Not only for their students, but for THEM! You will love hearing how they look to fill their bucket so they can inspire others!

Apothogothic returns with a look into the new scent of their reNew subscription series: WILDE.  Enjoy this conversation about the playlist, the scent, and the Oscar Wilde novel that inspired the scentstory!!!!

Let the Beauty of what you Love be what you DO! [RUMI] Get to know Amity a little better with stories about singing, swinging, swimming, cycling and running!  

Meet the artists performing live at Knuckleheads in Kansas City on July 24th.  Damaris, Sage Christie and Elexa Dawson join me to discuss their music, projects and the excitement of playing in the Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads.  Get your tickets at KnuckleheadsKC.com

Peggy Seeger dropped the new album TELEOLOGY on May 2nd, in addition to an album review you will learn a little more about the entire Seeger family of musicians.

Why is the National Anthem so hard to sing?  What other songs are out there? Have any been written by women? Explore several examples of patriotic songs with me this week in the 10th episode of Divas, Ingénues & Vixens!