Music, Arts & Culture Episodes

Some of Broadway's biggest stars never step into the spotlight. They stand in the orchestra pit. In this encore episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau welcomes Dan Micciche, Music Director and Conductor of WICKED on Broadway, for a fascinating conversation about the artistry, discipline, and teamwork required to keep one of the most successful musicals in theater history performing at its highest level, night after night. For more than nine years, Dan has helped guide the musical he...

The Harmony in the Woods summer concert opens its sixth season this weekend in Hawley, Pennsylvania, welcoming world-class musicians from around the globe to its intimate outdoor amphitheater nestled among the trees, including today’s HarmonyTALK guest Taylor Ashton. This year's 23-concert season, which opens Friday, July 3, with Toronto's acclaimed Bywater Call, runs every weekend through September 5th and celebrates roots, rock, jazz, bluegrass, folk, Americana, global music and more. Taylo...

Most people spend a lifetime trying to balance their passions. Tannis Kowalchuk planted hers in the same field. In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau sits down with the artistic director of Farm Arts Collective and co-owner of Willow Wisp Organic Farm along Pennsylvania's Delaware River. A performer at heart, Tannis always knew she belonged on a stage. Then she met a farmer. What followed was a remarkable journey that combined two seemingly different worlds into one life's ...

From Rural Pennsylvania to the World's Greatest Opera Houses For most kids who grow up in a small rural town, the world's great opera houses can feel unimaginably far away. For Melanie Henley Heyn, they became home. In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau sits down with the internationally acclaimed opera singer whose journey began at age ten in a production of Amahl and the Night Visitors and eventually carried her from Wayne County in Northeastern Pennsylvania to stages acros...

When Music Becomes Common Ground: Harvey Price and the Peace Drums Project What if the path to peace started with children simply playing music together? In this moving episode of HarmonyTALK, host Todd Stephens sits down with renowned percussionist, jazz vibraphonist, educator and Peace Drums Project founder Harvey Price to explore how one unlikely instrument became a bridge across cultural and religious divides in the war-torn Middle East. After decades as a music educator and director ...

All’s Well That Ends Well: Michael Bradshaw Flynn On Bringing Back the Bard Fifteen years ago, staging Shakespeare in Scranton sounded improbable to plenty of people, especially to some New York theater types. The original production was intended as a one-time public performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Nay Aug Park. Organizers hoped a modest audience would turn out for the celebrated Bard. Instead, more than 1,000 people packed into the park. In this episode of HarmonyTALK, hos...

What happens when the people you are studying ask you to stand beside them instead? In this powerful episode of HarmonyTALK, host Lisa Champeau interviews Judy Frater, a Pennsylvania-born Fulbright Scholar, Ashoka Fellow, design educator, author and founder of India’s first design school for traditional textile artisans. After moving to Kutch, India, more than 30 years ago, Judy’s academic research took an unexpected turn when an artisan asked her a life-altering question:”Instead of study...

How do you choreograph change when life shifts beneath your feet? On this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto sits down with internationally acclaimed choreographer, creative director, educator and podcast host Cherice Barton to explore what it means to move through evolving seasons with grace, humor, and purpose. With a career spanning Broadway, Cirque, television, ballet and global immersive productions, Cherice understands discipline, scale and creative leadership. At home, she...

This episode of HarmonyTALK pulls back the curtain on the music industry through the eyes of one of its most trusted and respected behind-the-scenes figures. Jim Della Croce has spent more than four decades shaping careers, protecting legacies, and advocating fiercely for artists whose music has defined generations. From the Pocono Mountains to Nashville’s Music Row and Hollywood’s platinum-record celebrations, Jim’s journey proves that you don’t have to be on stage to leave a lasting mark on...

Join us on this captivating episode of HarmonyTALK Podcast hosted by Lisa Champeau as we delve into the fascinating world of "Lover's Eyes" with Nan and David Skier, a remarkable couple from Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. David, a retired ophthalmologist, and his wife Nan have spent the past two decades amassing an extraordinary collection of these unique and historical artworks. Lover's Eyes are miniature portraits featuring disembodied eyes, meticulously painted on ivory and often surrounded by i...

In this conversation, Emily Bright delves into the nuances of storytelling and poetry, exploring how everyday experiences can inspire creative expression. It highlights beauty found in the mundane and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of our daily interactions. Emily also discusses the multifaceted identity of motherhood, emphasizing that becoming a mother does not erase one's previous self. She highlights the importance of maintaining one's aspirations and relationships while navigatin...

Bob Eckstein, an award-winning writer, illustrator, and cartoonist, discusses his latest book, 'Footnotes from the World's Greatest Museums.' He shares his motivation for delving into museums and highlights the diverse range of museums featured in the book. Bob emphasizes the user-friendly nature of the book, catering to a wide audience beyond art lovers. He also talks about the power of art to move and inspire, sharing personal experiences from his visits to museums. Bob reflects on his career ...

HarmonyTALK is thrilled to welcome Dan Micciche, the Music Director and Conductor of WICKED on Broadway. With over nine years working on this iconic production, Dan offers a unique look behind the curtain at what it takes to keep one of the world’s biggest shows running. Host Lisa Champeau dives into Dan's impressive career journey, from his start on Broadway in CHICAGO to his work across international tours, and the moments that led him to this incredible role. Whether you're a theater lover, ...

In this episode of HarmonyTALK, host Greg Frigoletto interviews singer-songwriter Izze Stein, who shares her journey from childhood music classes to her recent international tour promoting her debut album, 'Questions.' Izze discusses her musical influences, the importance of performance, and how her experiences in New York City shaped her artistry. She emphasizes the healing power of music and her desire to connect with audiences on a personal level. Izze also offers advice for aspiring musician...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau is joined by Lisa Bu who shares her inspiring journey from a young girl in China with dreams of becoming a gymnast and opera singer to a prominent figure in public media and TED Talks. She discusses the impact of media on her worldview, her experiences as an immigrant in the U.S., and her passion for writing, particularly her current project—a libretto inspired by a famous Chinese opera singer. Lisa emphasizes the importance of pursuing dreams,...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Greg Frigoletto engages with the String Queens after a performance at Harmony in the Woods. They discuss their mission to inspire diverse audiences through music, the importance of education in their lives, and the challenges they face as minority musicians in a predominantly white industry. The conversation also touches on their experiences on the road, the creative process behind their music, and their commitment to increasing representation in classical m...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Lisa Champeau interviews singer-songwriter Regina Sayles, who shares her journey from a young singer in Ohio to a successful musician and educator. Regina discusses her musical influences, her education in music production, and her advocacy for women in the music industry. She reflects on her collaboration with Christian Porter and her commitment to empowering young artists. The conversation also touches on Regina's upcoming performances and projects, includ...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Todd Stephens interviews renowned jazz guitarist David Becker, who shares his journey from aspiring airline pilot to celebrated musician. Becker discusses his early influences, the evolution of his musical dreams, and the improvisational nature of jazz. He reflects on the visual aspects of music, his unique guitar techniques, and the importance of teaching and giving back to the music community. The conversation also touches on handling rejection and the exc...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Greg Frigoletto engages with Akea Brionne, an interdisciplinary researcher and artist, exploring her journey from a young dreamer to an accomplished artist. Akea shares her early experiences with art, the impact of her environment on her creativity, and the significance of family history in her work. They discuss her film 'Mississippi Goddamn,' the recognition she has received in the art world, and how becoming a parent has influenced her artistic perspectiv...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, host Todd Stephens interviews Chris Thomas, an award-winning composer known for his work in film, television, and theme parks. Chris shares his journey from a young music enthusiast to a professional composer, discussing the support he received from his family, his passion for cinema, and the collaborative nature of film music. Chris also addresses the impact of AI on music composition and emphasizes the importance of teaching the next generation of composers. Th...

Nicole Zuraitis is a 2X GRAMMY® winning and 4X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer- songwriter, pianist and arranger, New York-based bandleader, and winner of the prestigious 2021 American Traditions Vocal Competition Gold Medal. With a “heart as big as her remarkable voice,” (Jazz Police), Nicole is a trailblazing artist who is redefining vocal jazz, earning her a place as one of the top artists and "prolific songwriters" (Broadway World) to watch in jazz and beyond. As a recording artist, Nicole has...

Mike Geno is a Philadelphia-based artist who is widely known for, among various food subjects, still-life paintings of cheese which he calls “cheese portraits”. Mike is a full time artist who has taught drawing, painting and design at various schools including Temple University, Moore College and Drexel University. His work has exhibited nationally and has been featured in the New York Times and various publications and broadcasts world wide. FOLLOW HARMONYTALK PODCAST @harmonytalkpodcast Join...

In this episode of Harmony Talk, Host Lisa Champeau visits with Barre Trash Founders, Lucas Labrador, and Louis De Felice. They discuss the journey of founding Barre Trash, a dancewear brand that has quickly gained popularity. They share insights into their backgrounds as ballet dancers, the challenges of starting a business, and their unique approach to understanding customer needs. The conversation also touches on their future plans for expansion and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Key Tak...

Heather Clements combines realistic portraiture, expressive abstraction, and elements of flora and fauna to represent a symbiotic relationship with nature. After growing up in Northern Virginia, she earned her BFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art before moving to Panama City, Florida. For Heather, creating art not only adds beauty with meaning into the world, but is a means for escaping depression. The category 5 hurricane that hit the Florida Panhandle took away so much of...