In this episode, Bryce speaks with male soprano, Elijah McCormack. They discuss his experience as a transgender singer working in oratorio and concert spaces, Eli’s 2023 performance and tour with ChamberQueer, and his interest in the repertoire and legacy of the castrati.Release Date: January 1, 2024Recording Date: December 19, 2023Name of Podcast: Beyond TravestiEpisode Title & Number: Elijah McCormack, Season 1, Episode 5Topic #1: Elijah’s introduction to classical singing [4:30]Topic #2: Singing concert & oratorio while trans [7:30]Topic #3: ChamberQueer’s 2023 Tour & Workshop at Early Music America [14:30]Topic #4: The legacy of the castrati [20:00]Read Episode Transcript here.Opera Modo - TNBGD Directory SubmissionElijah’s websiteFollow Elijah on InstagramChamberQueerWhat the heck are the castrati?Sign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack.Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at [email protected] Get full access to The Bryce is Wrong at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Bryce speaks with multi-disciplinary performing artist and writer, Jay St. Flono. They discuss Jay’s experience of growing up and into their gifts in many different creative arts, Jay’s transition from tenor to soprano, and Jay’s upcoming performance of their solo vocal cantata, Praise Song for the Flying Africans, with Sugar Hill Salon in Harlem.Release Date: December 4, 2023Recording Date: November 18, 2023Name of Podcast: Beyond TravestiEpisode Title & Number: Jay St. Flono, Season 1, Episode 4Topic #1: Jay’s intro to classical singing and identity as a multi-disciplinary artist [3:30]Topic #2: Jay’s shift from tenor to soprano [7:00]Topic #3: Magic, Folklore, and Praise Song for the Flying Africans [23:50]Read Episode Transcript here.Buy Jay’s Book, Black American Magic: A Feast of Food and FolkloreSugar Hill SalonThe Flying Africans of Igbo LandingSign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack.Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at [email protected] Get full access to The Bryce is Wrong at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Bryce speaks with Creative Arts Leader and Strategic Marketer, Dorian Block. They discuss Dorian’s experience as a young opera lover at the Santa Fe Opera, traveling on the job as a transgender person, and their investment in Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, Access, and Belonging work.Release Date: November 1, 2023Recording Date: October 6, 2023Name of Podcast: Beyond TravestiEpisode Title & Number: Dorian Block, Season 1, Episode 3Updates: [2:25]Topic #1: Dorian’s Intro to Opera [6:25]Topic #2: Traveling for work as a transgender person [13:10]Topic #3: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access and Belonging [22:51]Topic #4: Community Engagement [28:13]Read Episode Transcript here.Dorian Block's websiteSanta Fe Opera Documentary, The Pueblo Opera ProjectOpera MODOSign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack.Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at [email protected] Get full access to The Bryce is Wrong at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Bryce speaks with librettist, dramaturg, tenor, and Jupiter Opera Development Foundation General Director, Jude O’Dell (he/they). They discuss Jude’s investment in community theater, the pre-season and future plans of JODF, and Jude’s extensive industry experience working in wardrobe, hair, and makeup. Also in this episode, you’ll hear an excerpt from Dream Home, an original strophic aria produced by JDOF with text by Mirror Schwartz-Meadows and music by Elle Meerovich, performed by Jude himself.Release Date: October 1, 2023Recording Date: September 3, 2023Name of Podcast: Beyond TravestiEpisode Title & Number: Jude O’Dell: Season 1, Episode 2Talking PointsNews: ACLU of TX complaint against Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts [1:40]Topic #1: Jude’s intro to opera [4:50]Topic #2: The genesis of Jupiter Opera Development Foundation [8:45]Topic #3: Pink-collar jobs [18:00]Topic #4: Donald Tr*mp’s toupee tape [25:10]Read the episode transcript here.Relevant LinksJupiter Opera Development Foundation websiteDream Home, new aria/song commissioned by JODFACLU of Texas Files Federal Complaints Against DFW-Area Schools for Anti-LGBTQIA+ PoliciesACLU Calls for Federal Probe of Anti-LGBTQ+ Actions in Texas SchoolsACLU Complaint Full TextSign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack.Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation when it’s ready. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at [email protected] Get full access to The Bryce is Wrong at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Bryce speaks with classical singer and performing / creative artist, Katherine Goforth (she/her). They discuss the opera industry landscape for transfeminine singers whose voices have changed, decentering practices of domination in the rehearsal room and the voice studio, and the Barbie movie which Katherine finds "excruciating." Release Date: September 1, 2023Recording Date: August 14, 2023Name of Podcast: Beyond TravestiEpisode Title & Number: Katherine Goforth: Season 1, Episode 1Talking PointsTopic #1: Katherine's intro to opera [6:25]Topic #2: True Voice Award and wanting to self-actualize and self-determine [9:18]Topic #3: Revolutionary Thinking and F*****s and their Friends... [16:40]Topic #4: Katherine's goals for her singing and creative work [20:40]Read the episode transcript here.Relevant LinksKatherine Goforth's WebsiteGoforth Awarded the First "True Voice Award"F*****s and their Friends... in the New York TimesNu Nah-Hup: Sacajawea's Story at Opera Theater OregonKatherine Goforth and Wenwen Du, Nacht und Träume by Franz SchubertSign up for The Bryce is Wrong via Substack.Become a paid subscriber at any level to The Bryce is Wrong and get access to an extended cut of this conversation when it’s ready. Get in contact with Bryce with listener questions or feedback at [email protected] Get full access to The Bryce is Wrong at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe

Read the full episode transcript here. Get full access to The Bryce is Wrong at brycemcclendon.substack.com/subscribe