Jim Bonner, Executive Director of the Audubon Society of Western PA, describes trends in the Audubon Society's bird counts over recent years. In addition to updating WQED-FM on how the bald eagles are doing, he explains which bird species is currently the most under threat and how we can help to ensure that all local bird species continue to live in a healthy ecosystem. Funding from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD) has helped the Audubon Society with a number of projects, such as maintenance on Beechwood Farms and conservation of large, old oak trees.

Voice of the Arts

RAD Interview - Jim Bonner - Audubon Society of Western PA

Miracle in Rwanda for Prime Stage Theater Malaika Uwamahoro one woman play based on the bestselling New York Times novel Left To Tell. Directed by Steven Wilson with music by Teta Diana. Malaika was born in Rwanda and studied theater at Fordham University graduating witha Rwandan Presidential Scholarship. Opening night is April 10 2021 at 8pm The production will be available after the 16th for viewing as well April 16-26. Malaika explains the events in Rwanda in 1994 and explains how the play uplifts with a true story of forgiveness and compassion and the author of Left to Tell Immaculee Ilbagiza. Presented during Genocide Awareness Month.

Malaika Uwamahoro

Pittsburgh Opera presents Charlie Parker's Yardbird - April 10-22 at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters.  Stage Director Tome Cousin spoke with WQED-FM's Anna Singer about how he went about putting this production together.  

Pittsburgh Opera - Yardbird - Tome Cousin

Pittsburgh Opera presents Charlie Parker's Yardbird - April 10-22 at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters.  Martin Bakari talks about his role as Charlie Parker.   

Pittsburgh Opera - Yardbird - Martin Bakari

Pittsburgh Opera presents Charlie Parker's Yardbird - April 10-22 at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters.  Jasmine Muhammad spoke with WQED-FM's Anna Singer about her role as Addie Parker.  

Pittsburgh Opera - Yardbird - Jasmine Muhammad

Pittsburgh Opera presents Charlie Parker's Yardbird - April 10-22 at the Pittsburgh Opera Headquarters.  Music Director Antony Walker spoke with WQED-FM's Anna Singer about the music for the opera.  

Pittsburgh Opera - Yardbird - Antony Walker

Dr. Stephen Neely, Eurhythmics Professor at Carnegie Mellon School of Music, spoke with Matthew Rygelski about his teaching experience during the pandemic. 

Dr. Stephen Neely

Known for her spice-filled performances in Georges Bizet's, Carmen, Denyce Graves has brought her passion for music and food to a new stage--her kitchen! The 2020 global pandemic inspired the commencement of "Cooking with Denyce." As opera houses and concert venues around the world were closed to most musicians, Graves would bring her industry friends together-virtually to cook a variety of recipes with a twist of opera. April 1-4, 2021, Graves will bring "Cooking with Denyce" to the home of Marc & Diana Reid Chazaud of Pittsburgh for her first off-site taping and introduce The Denyce Graves Foundation and its first philanthropic project with the National Opera House.   WQED-FM's Anna Singer had a chance to talk with Denyce about her "Cooking with Denyce" project, as well as the Denyce Graves Foundation.   

Denyce Graves

In this series, WQED-FM's Anna Singer interviews powerful women in the Pittsburgh Arts scene.   This interview features composer and educator Nancy Galbraith.      

Women's History Month - Nancy Galbraith

Dr. Rachel Berger of UPMC Children's Hospital knows Julius Rudel the conductor as her grandfather. On the occasion of his centennial, she remembers Julius Rudel's work at New York City Opera and with Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, growing up with Beverly Sills around the house and loving Mozart. What would Julius Rudel like to be remembered for and what was the secret of his longevity be having pursued a love of music to 93? Dr. Berger also fills us in on the latest music makes you smarter research, addresses burn out in the field of child advocacy and medicine and suggests how we'll get back to concerts as the pandemic lets go. Dr. Berger describes her latest research. She serves as Division Director, Child Advocacy and Professor of Pediatrics and Cinical and Transitional Science Director Child Abuse Research, Safar Center for Resuscitation Research at the University of Pittsburgh as well as Chief, Division of of Child Advocacy UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and she teaches at Duquesne University School of Nursing when she isn't practicing the flute.

Dr. Rachel Berger

Anthony Rudel is the General manager of WCRB Boston and the son of conductor Julius Rudel who led the New York City Opera to greatness in a career that stretched over a half century and a total of nearly 70 years before the public. Rudel escaped the nazi Germany tension in 1938 to continue music making in America. He took over the people's opera folowing Erich Leinsdorf and insisted on inexpensive tickets at NYCO even as the company moved to Lincoln Center. Rudel made over 100 recordings and appeared in Pittsburgh with the Pittsburgh Symphony on at least three occasions as well as conducting Rossini at Pittsburgh Opera and Kurt Weill's Lost in the Stars for Jonathan Eaton at Opera Theater Pittsburgh. Anthony Rudel chooses his favorite recordings by his Dad and recalls career highlights as well as the singers he championed such as Beverly Sills and Jose Carerras. Anthony Rudel having worked in the arts in many roles including nearly a decade at WQXR is the author of Hello Everybody The Dawn of Radio in America and he has family ties to Pittsburgh through his niece Dr. Rachel Berger, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital.

Anthony Rudel

In this series, WQED-FM's Anna Singer interviews powerful women in the Pittsburgh Arts scene.   This interview features Kristin Helfrich, Director of Programming for New Hazlett Theater since May of 2019.  She talks about the upcoming virtual performances that start at the end of May and continue through June.  

Women's History Month - Kristin Helfrich

In this series, WQED-FM's Anna Singer interviews powerful women in the Pittsburgh Arts scene.   This interview features Rene Conrad, Executive Director of New Hazlett Theater since January of 2011.  Rene talks about the challenges of making theater during this pandemic and the importance of supporting and being an "incubator" for all types of artists.

Women's History Month - Rene Conrad

The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations organized a Youth Creative Arts Contest in Fall 2020 in which Pittsburgh students shared what "angelic troublemakers" mean to them. WQED-FM speaks with three of the contest winners and follows up with Tracy Baton, a Vice Chair of the Human Relations Commission.

Youth Creative Arts Contest

Tenor Steve Wilson discusses the latest cd from New York Polyphony on the Bis label "And the Sun Darkened: Music For Passiontide" wqith Loyset Compere, Josquin Desprez, Andrew Smith, Adrian Willaert, Kreek and Pierre de la Rue. Steven is also the Director of Marketing and Design for Chamber Music Pittsburgh. In this conversation he also covers the special qualities of the composers of our time and the 16th century recorded with extraordinary sound and technology and the contemplative mood that seems to resonate whether you are a devoted follower of faith or looking for calm during a troubled time.

Steven Wilson - New York Polyphony

Insights and anecdotes from musicians, dancers, artists, actors and directors, as well as audience response.