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Internationally acclaimed pianist Orion Weiss has an expansive repertoire. In 2025 he was a guest soloist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, he played two dissimilar concertos by Stravinsky and Bach. In October 2026, he joined them again for Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto, a work he says people should hear more often. Weiss is the guest on this Piedmont Arts podcast, and he talks about the merits and challenges of the Barber concerto as well as some of his upcoming projects.

On this Piedmont Arts podcast, get to know Kendall Ramseur, an award-winning cellist, composer, and recording artist who grew up and got his musical start in Charlotte. Now based in Boston, Ramseur was a founding member of the quartet Sons of Serendip, who were finalists on America’s Got Talent. He’s performed for Oprah and been principal cellist with the Grammy Awards orchestra. Now he’s composing large-scale concertos. Listen to the conversation with Kendall Ramseur to hear more about his interesting music career. Discover how Charlotte-born cellist Kendall Ramseur went from Sons of Serendip and America’s Got Talent to composing major concertos. Tune in to Piedmont Arts for an inspiring conversation on his remarkable musical journey.

The Italian painter Caravaggio had a massive influence on the art of the late 16th and early 17th centuries including baroque music. To complement the Mint Museum’s Caravaggio exhibition, 7th Street Concerts is presenting a mash-up performance that combines theatre, art, and music from Caravaggio’s time. On this Piedmont Arts episode, Kristin Olson, 7th Street’s artistic director, and lutenist John Lenti discuss this unique production. Plus, FanFare with plenty of great events for you to explore.

Founded in 2016 by two members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music for All performs throughout the greater Charlotte region. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, you’ll hear violinists Calin Lupanu and Monica Boboc talk about their journey from Romania to Charlotte, and the educational mission behind their ensemble. There’s also an edition of FanFare filled with fun events and activities for you to explore.

Printmaking has always been an important artistic medium in Latin America, and some very interesting technical innovations have been introduced by Latin American artists through the decades. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art opened an exhibition called Making an Impression: Pioneering Latin American Printmakers. Works by four artists who’ve pushed the boundaries of the genre will be on display. On this Piedmont Arts podcast episode, we talk to Bechtler curator, Dr. Katia Zavistovski about the artists and the exhibition. David McGee, Drum Call from Shadow Men series, 2025, Watercolor on paper, 2025, 60 x 40 inches. Courtesy of the artist and Inman Gallery, Houston, TX. Now owned by Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Photo by Thomas R. DuBrock. Regina Silveira, Octopus (Track Series), 2009, Vinyl and wooden models. Courtesy of the artist and Alexander Gray Associates. Installation view: Regina Silveira, Alexander Gray Associates, New York, 2009. 1988, Jesus Soto Serigraphie Mur polychrome cfdt.

Music @ St. Alban’s is a monthly concert series held on Sunday afternoons at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson. Established in 2005, it features musicians from near and far performing a wide variety of musical genres. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, board member David Wilson talks about the series and what’s coming to St. Alban’s this season, including a return performance by the Ciompi Quartet. You’ll also hear the latest edition of FanFare with plenty of sounds, sights, and bites across the region.

The North Carolina School of the Arts opened in 1965 as America’s first public arts conservatory and become part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972 with programs in music, drama, dance, filmmaking, and more. UNCSA’s Dean of Dance, Endalyn Taylor Outlaw, is our guest on this episode of Piedmont Arts and she shares an overview of the school’s ballet and contemporary dance programs. You’ll also hear about upcoming dance performances in our region and the latest installment of FanFare to fill out your calendar.

Piedmont Opera launches their 50th season with performances that include Rossini’s Barber of Seville and an appearance by Renee Fleming. Their emphasis this season is on celebrating and fostering community. General Director and Principal Conductor Joseph Mechavich share on this Piedmont Arts podcast details about the season. We also speak to Maggie Pate, Director of Communications for the North Carolina Symphony, about their performance happening at Davidson College.

Charlotte Master Chorale is about to launch its 76th season, and their chamber choir kicks off WDAV’s new Small Batch concert series season. This year the group will celebrate community, belonging, and the power of voices singing together through a variety of concerts that include recent choral compositions as well as classics like Faure’s Requiem. Artistic Director Kenney Potter is the guest on this episode of Piedmont Arts. He tells us about the season and other interesting projects the organization is undertaking. Plus, plenty of fun activities are recommended in our FanFare segment.

The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte got its start shortly after World War II. After many years on Morehead Street, the theater company moved to ImaginOn, where they’ve been delighting audiences since 2005. On this Piedmont Arts, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte Artistic Director Adam Burke talks about their exciting new season. You’ll also get a preview of our region’s other theatrical offerings, plus a quick look at even more events and activities with FanFare. Fenixfoto G. Smith A. Aguilar A. Aguilar ImaginOn

The nation’s largest print and drawing competition in the early 1970s was held at Davidson College. Organized by renowned artist Herb Jackson, the competition drew submissions from across the country and brought some of the most compelling works on paper to campus. Davidson is celebrating the 50th anniversary with a new competition and exhibition called “50 Years Later: Davidson National Print and Drawing Competition.” On this Piedmont Arts episode we talk to Herb Jackson and curator Lia Newman about the competition’s legacy.

A new season of orchestral performances will start in a few weeks, and that includes the 62nd season for the Western Piedmont Symphony. Maestro Matthew Troy has been the Hickory-based orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor since 2019 and he talks on this Piedmont Arts about what we’ll be hearing from them in 2026-2027. You’ll also get a preview of other regional orchestras’ upcoming seasons, plus a quick look at more events and activities with FanFare. WPS Masterworks Symphony Swings with Doreen Ketchens, clarinet. Credit Paul van Breemen Photography Western Piedmont Symphony performs the music of Pink Floyd. Credit Tom Devlin Photography

Storyteller Donna Washington has been weaving tales for audiences of all ages for more than 38 years. On this Piedmont Arts podcast episode, she shares what makes a good story and a good storyteller, and she even tells us a story or two. Plus, a look at the largest Black theatre festival in the world, the International Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem. One of the organizers, Brittany Giles-Jones, helps us parse the more than 100 offerings. And hear interesting things to do for fun in the FanFare segment.

There isn’t always a direct path for classical musicians who want to perform professionally to go from university to the stage. But renowned conductor James Meena aims to help these artists through a new venture called the Charlotte Lyric Theatre. Meena is the guest on this Piedmont Arts episode, and he explains how this career development program is working and getting results. Also, the latest edition of FanFare to help you plan fun activities in coming days.

Originally from Northern California, poet and creative arts activist Cheryl Wilder has lived in North Carolina for more than 20 years, and her latest collection of poems, Singing Riptide, stems from a traumatic event in her life. On this episode of Piedmont Arts, you’ll hear what it was that set Cheryl’s writing career in motion. Plus, we’ll let you know about upcoming arts and culture happenings across our region with FanFare.