It's truly the most interesting man alive: English baritone Roderick Williams. Yes, the same Roderick Williams who sang at King Charles III's coronation in 2023. The one you've probably heard on most any English song album. Would you guess the magnitude of his career after listening to this chill conversation he has with Sam? Definitely not. So settle in for an hour of wonderful stories and shared wisdom on working hard, staying open to different ideas and opinions, and making sure to stop and smell the roses along the way.Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

The great Scottish pianist Iain Burnside joins Sam for a fun and informative conversation.  Come for the sage advice on how to stay active in this ever-changing classical music landscape, stay for the greatest page-turning fail you never knew you needed to hear.Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

What better way to kick off 2024 and Season 4 than with inspiration for chasing our own authentic selves? Allowing our mindsets to change over time, adopting new attitudes and approaches, and always - always - learning from those around us. It's the best advice for all of us, only from Gwen Coleman, right here on Song Cycle.Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

The Season 3 finale crossover extravaganza is here! Sam invites the hosts of CSI's other podcasts, So Lit Song Lit and Follow the Lieder to join him to discuss what their shows are all about. More importantly, though, is your chance to see if you can guess even fewer music trivia questions correctly than this band of hooligans did. Happy holidays to all, and here's to a bright and musically fulfilling new year!Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

Who better for a gratitude-filled, inspirational, optimistic, and enlightening Thanksgiving conversation than the luminous Sasha Cooke? From learning to trust the universe when doors of opportunity open, to meaningful commissioning projects that caught fire, to chatting about why Wolf is such a singularly unique song composer, Sasha and Sam cover a wide range of topics that anybody will want to hear. The nuggets of wisdom are plentiful, as are the good times during this conversation.Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

Artist. Administrator. Visionary. Unique. Multi-dimensional. Drag icon. Legend. Just the first few words that come to mind when thinking about renowned singer Stephanie Blythe. Join her and Sam in a no-holds-barred discussion on finding inspiration and meaning from who came before us, the future of classical music, the need for artists to connect with audiences live, and, of course, the drag tenor Blythely Oratonio.Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

This one's for you if you need a little inspiration on turning your passions into action. Meet Laura Strickling, literal creator of the #TeamArtSong hashtag, song advocate, conduit between singers, pianists, and composers, and all-around song cheerleader. Get to know her, her story, and go bookmark her brand new album, 40@40!Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

Sholto Kynoch, Founding Artistic Director of the newly rebranded Oxford International Song Festival, sits down with Sam to discuss song across the Pond, how the organization engages audiences in bold and relevant ways, and that one time they bribed audience members to come to their concerts... for science, of course.Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

The wholesome content you've been waiting for is finally here. Meet legendary composer and CSI Advisory Council member Shawn Okpebholo, who not only writes some of the most searing and poignant vocal music of today, but also keeps it 100% real by never losing sight of the ones who helped him get where he is today and paying it forward by nurturing current relationships to the fullest.Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

You know how you have that one friend who seems to be able to do it all? That's Myra Huang. When she's not busy working with the next generation of opera stars at The Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, coaching at Manhattan School of Music,  or running the show at the Aspen Opera Theater as director of musical administration and head coach, you can find her on recital stages throughout the world with the greatest artists of our generation. Get to know this consummate artist right here!Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

It's the one, the only, Queen City Cabaret! Get to know cool cats Sarah Folsom and Matthew Umphreys and how they got their start swooning their way through Cincinnati. Hear some live clips to get in the mood, learn more about the genre of cabaret and the Great American Songbook, and don't miss our co-production with them on March 18, 2023 - Unforgettable: The Golden Age of the Great American Songbook.Clip 1: Secret Love - Sammy Fain (music), Paul Francis Webster (lyrics)Clip 2: When I Fall in Love - Victor Young (music), Edward Heyman (lyrics)Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

🚨 This is not a drill! 🚨 Song Cycle's third season is here, and our kickoff episode features none other than the *incredible* English pianist Julius Drake. Dig in with Sam as he learns all about Julius' upbringing, his fascinating career, and that one time Wigmore Hall staff came to him backstage with some shocking news...Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts. Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

Laura talks with arts administrator and collaborative pianist Allen Perriello. While many of us seem to be going through transitions during these COVID times, Allen talks about what gets him up in the morning, what grounds him, and what keeps him focused. Covering topics ranging from mentors who give that first opportunity to do something great, or giving yourself permission to be an artist or make that job transition, to the power of song to connect us in the hardest of times, this one has a little bit for everyone.  Notes Donate to CSI Join CSI Digital Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

In this episode, Laura talks with Dr. Amelia Nagoski, DMA, co-author of the New York Times bestselling book, "Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle." They discuss Dr. Nagoski's career, the reality of COVID and its effect on the lives of artists, the patriarchy, and burnout. As many artists are enduring or have endured tough transitions in the last two years and are experiencing burnout, this is an important episode to remind us of how, and why, we make music and what it does to us as people, inside and out.  Notes Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle Unruly Wellness Donate to CSI Join CSI Digital Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

In this episode, Laura talks with singer, arts administrator, and former nurse Nicolette Rader about life transitions and how music can be both the impetus behind and comfort during life and career transitions. They discuss handling those transitions with grace and trust, how mental health and performance go hand-in-hand, and perspective on the work that you do and how it defines you. You also may get a new life hack on how to up your grilled cheese sandwich game.  Notes Donate to CSI Join CSI Digital Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

Laura talks with world-renowned German song scholar Dr. Susan Youens about what led her to her research, the power of art song to make us pay attention, life's journeys, overcoming academic barriers, and of course Schubert and Wolf. This is a lecture in an episode, grab a notebook; you'll want to take notes.  Notes Book: Clara Schumann Studies Dr. Youens' Bio Song: Schubert Bertha's Lied in der Nacht Song: Schubert Der Winterabend Song: Wolf Im frühling from Mörike-Lieder Donate to CSI Join CSI Digital  Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

In this episode, Laura chats with soprano Dr. Shannon Cochran about the joys of singing during the pandemic, the importance of setting boundaries and self-care, and what tools we have available to replenish ourselves as artists. Keep this one in your back pocket when you need a little pick-me-up.  Notes Shannon Cochran, soprano Donate to CSI Join CSI Digital Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

Laura talks with Reggie Smith, singer and life-advice giver extraordinaire. Covering everything from recital programming, song's profound ability to change our thoughts and the thoughts of those around us, and the rewards and challenges of living on the road, like Reggie says, there's "something for everyone".  Notes Reginald Smith, Jr. Donate to CSI Join CSI Digital Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

Laura talks with Matt Cahill about the importance of healing through music and that our artistic journeys should give both those making the art and those consuming the art new life and perspective. This is a good one if you're in need of some artistic TLC.  Notes Hogfish ATSinging Book: Coddling of the American Mind Book: Pedagogy of the Oppressed Donate to CSI Join CSI Digital Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!

Laura talks with Martha Guth and Erika Switzer of Sparks and Wiry Cries about the importance of song as a medium to connect people especially during a time when connection feels less available, leadership in the arts, and the ability to stay flexible in times of uncertainty. In addition to some sound advice about toe safety. Notes Sparks and Wiry Cries Martha Guth Erika Switzer Donate to CSI Join CSI Digital Audit the 2024 Fellowship of the Song and gain instant access to all concerts, classes, and study events as part of the brand new week-long festival. Join us in person in Cincinnati or online wherever you may be located!