Voice of the Arts

Voice of the Arts

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

Episodes

August 26, 2025 32 mins

In this wide ranging interview, Pianist Christopher O'Riley talks about his newest CD "The Well Tempered Clavier Book 2" and his personal ties to Pittsburgh.  

Chris explains his approach to selecting the best tempo in Book 2. He also compares both books with special attention to individual preludes and fugues. He finds Book 2 to more challenging than those in Book One. Chris explains why he likes the Boesendorfer compared to the St...

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It's time to step into a world of art, this time in Washington County!

Former Bethel Park Librarian and award winning teacher Denice Pazuchanics from WQED Education about Washington Park's Arts in the Park. With over 25 art activities, there will be lots to do! The Washington Symphony, The Andy Warhol Museum, The Frick Pittsburgh, will all be there with activities. Denice also highlights dance and music performances. The first 200 k...

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Since its foundation in 1998, the School of Rock franchise has taught performance based music education. There are two schools in the Greater Pittsburgh area that have been around for nearly twelve years. One is in Wexford, and the other in Castle Shannon.

Giovanni Mori, former School of Rock student and one of WQED’s summer interns, sits with the co-owners of the Pittsburgh schools, Quinn Lukas and Dan Moore. They discuss what Scho...

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Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Marianne Cornetti, talks about their upcoming event, "An Evening Under the Stars with Our Stars".

The concert presents seven singers individually and as ensembles with pianist, Maeve Berry, for an evening of the most beloved operatic arias and Broadway tunes. Marianne will sing an aria from "Il Trovatore" by Verdi and "Memory" from Cats.  Benjamin Werley sings "Maria" from "West Si...

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August 22, 2025 15 mins
Rosemary Pawlowski is a powerhouse for the arts in Johnstown. She started the Bottleworks Ethnic Arts Center and is now involved with "Gallery on Gazebo" which offers visitors, tourists, local residents and downtown workers a friendly and convenient gathering space, combined ever-changing exhibits of art and a wide variety of special events. In this wide-ranging interview, Jim Cunningham spoke with Rosemary about her advocacy of...
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Music Director and Conductor of the Washington Symphony Orchestra, Yugo Ikach, discusses their new season.

Their upcoming season includes a celebration of the United States 250th Anniversary, a John Williams concert, and a holiday concert with an island twist. He highlights their listener friendly approach to programming music.

Yugo also talks about Washington County's Arts in the Park celebration. Arts in the park celebrates the cou...

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Kweilin Nassar, Vice President of the South Side Community Council, and Susan Anderson, East Carson Street Business District Manager, joined Jim Cunningham to invite you to the Fifth Annual South Side Community Yard Sale and Shop, Sip and Stroll taking place Saturday August 23rd from 11am till 5pm on East Carson and throughout the South Side.

The event features over 65 South Side locations and more than 45 East Carson Street busines...

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The First Lutheran Church in Johnstown hosts the Tuesday Noon Recital Series. These free concerts are held each Tuesday in the months of October, April and July. Each recital lasts about 25 minutes followed by a free lunch in the church's Social Hall. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with the series founder Kim Rauch. He spoke about the origins of the series, the joy he gets from playing the organ at the First Lutheran Church, ...
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The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center is back at it again for their 3rd Annual Documentary Series!

Director of Communications and Media Relations, Josh Axelrod, talks about the 6 films showcased in the upcoming series. The films include a grammar documentary, two art-focused ones, two environmental documentaries, and one focused on caregiving.

"Rebel Without a Clause" follows Ellen Jovin's experiences behind her public 'Grammar Tab...

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The Agatha Christie classic novel comes to life on stage at Little Lake Theater!

Director and Resident Scenic Designer Tucker Topel, Stage Manager Andi Tageser, and actor Sean Barrett, talk about the upcoming show. "Murder on the Orient Express" follows a luxurious train, that just witnessed a murder. Sean talks about playing the infamous Hercule Poirot in this adaptation. He loves the politeness, shrewdness, and humor of this chara...

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Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks is back for another season! But first, a benefit!

Founder of Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks, Jennifer Tober, and playwright and actor Charles David "Stoney" Richards, talk with Anna Singer about their upcoming benefit performance of "Friended by Shakespeare". Stoney talks about his motivation for writing this one-man play. The story focuses on the friendship between John Sinklo (or Sinkler) a...

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WQED Channel 13 is diving into the history of American Motors Corporation with a new series!

Co-Producers Joe Ligo and Jimm Needle talk with Anna Singer about their 6-part documentary series, "The Last Independent Automaker". Joe and Jimm talk about first meeting back in 2015 through a mutual professor. Joe read books about American Motors Corporation and thought it would be a perfect subject for a documentary. They started filming ...

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Located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Community Arts Center of Cambria County reaches out to a community of 250,000 people, as well as thousands of tourists each year from around the world. Their mission is to provide an inspiring and creative gathering place where the arts improve the quality of life for everyone. The Arts Center consists of the M. Josephine Paul Family Museum, Goldhaber-Fend Fine Arts Center, and the Stutzma...
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For their upcoming 2025-2026 Season, the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra is celebrating America's 250th, as well at the 10th Anniversary of James Blachly as Music Director. WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham spoke with JSO Executive Director Erin Codey about their upcoming season. It kicks off October 25th, 2025 with Part 1 of the America 250 Celebration, and continues with their annual Holiday Pops concert, a Johnstown's Got Talent concert...
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August 1, 2025 19 mins
It's a culmination of 5 years of hard work. Founder of Garfield's Irma Freeman Center of Imagination, Shelia Ali, highlights her new book "Pittsburgh's Avant-Gard: 60 Years Inside the Underground Art Scene". Shelia and collaborator Joelle Killebrew talk about the book's release and forthcoming mini book tour. Shelia talks about first being inspired to write the book, and the grant that helped her start. With over 400 pages, the bo...
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WQED President and CEO Jason Jedlinski spoke with Morning Show host Jim Cunningham live on July 31, 2025 regarding the elimination of federal funding for public broadcasting, which not only cuts $1.8 million from WQED, but will likely add additional expenses such as music licensing and satellite program delivery. Jason emphasized that WQED’s radio and televisions stations will not go off the air. WQED will continue sharing classic...
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July 25, 2025 15 mins
The Johnstown Concert Series is gearing up for their 2025-2026 season as they approach their 20th anniversary! The series continues to bring world-class musicians to the Johnstown community, without the need to travel to neighboring cities. Bryan Sejvar talks with directors, Michael Bodolosky and Joe Dipyatic, about the season’s exciting variety of performances taking place at the First Presbyterian Church in Downtown Johnstown. ...
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July 24, 2025 26 mins
Bryan Sejvar sits with Shelley Johansson, the Director of Marketing and Communications for Heritage Johnstown, formerly known as Johnstown Area Heritage Association. The nonprofit organization celebrates Johnstown’s influence on early industrial America, and tells its story through history, culture, and community. Heritage Johnstown hosts a variety of attractions including the Johnstown Flood Museum, The Stone Bridge, and the Heri...
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Executive Director of the Legacy Arts Project, Erin Perry, and Director of Community Programs, Patricia Marrie Ford, talk with Jim Cunningham about Dance Africa Pittsburgh. Dance Africa was founded by Chuck Davis, whose mantra of 'Love, Peace, Respect for Everyone' is the central spirit of the program. Erin and Patricia discuss the honorees and special guests. This year, Youseef Koumbassa, a world renowned dancer, will have a pie...
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The Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company is producing not 1, not 2, but 3 August Wilson plays next month! Founder of the company, Mark Clayton Southers, daughter Ashley Southers, and director Terrence Spivey, talk about the three productions. Mark starts off the trifecta with a production of "Two Trains Running" at the Madison Arts Center. "Two Trains" is set in the Hill District of Pittsburgh in the 1960s. A restauranter fight...
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