Violist Emilio Carlo and cultural anthropologist Dr. Lexi Ligon Holloway join Black Music Seen to break down BON’s Dear American Orchestras III — forty years of diversity fellowships, the same findings, and what has to change.

In this episode of Black Music Seen, J’Nai opens up about what it means to live in full alignment—as an artist, as a Black woman, and as a global performer.

Members of D-Composed join Black Music Seen to discuss their journey as a Chicago-based chamber collective centering Black composers, community, and creativity — and how they’re reimagining what classical music can be.

William Henry Curry and Ralph Curry reflect on their journey from segregated Pittsburgh schools to major orchestras and international stages. A candid conversation about resilience, race, mentorship, and why doing the work still matters

Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs reflect on the founding of the Black Orchestral Network — from informal conversations to sustained advocacy. They discuss leadership, mentorship, and the ongoing work behind initiatives like Dear American Orchestras Part III.

Tenor Lawrence Brownlee joins Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs for a candid conversation about failure, discipline, and sustaining excellence at the highest levels of opera. A powerful reflection on resilience, legacy, and the work behind a lasting career.

In this episode of Black Music Seen, host Brittney Brianna Burgess, Executive Director of Black Collegiate Musicians, sits down with Juilliard musicians Shania Watts and Wynter McCray for a conversation on mentorship, leadership, and building lives beyond the practice room. Together, they reflect on artistry, boundaries, and shaping a more expansive future for Black classical musicians.

For more than 30 years, Rosalyn Story has performed violin with the Fort Worth Symphony — but her artistry doesn’t stop there. She’s also a novelist, a journalist, and a passionate keeper of Black musical history.

In today’s episode, we’ll meet 23-year-old Quenton Blache, a remarkable cellist and composer.

On today’s episode, we’re talking with Beverly Kane Baker—a pioneering violist whose career has spanned decades, stages, and generations. From her early training at Juilliard to her role as principal violist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Beverly has carved out a legacy grounded in excellence, community, and spiritual purpose.