Centered on the Arts

It's the last episode of season 4! On today's episode, we meet with some of our graduating seniors from the Center For the Arts. Our patrons will have seen these students working back-of-house, front-of-house, on stage, or in the museum, and together we can enjoy the lively anecdotes of these remarkable students. Behind-the-scenes stories, as well as backstage gossip, make this a must-listen-to episode. But in addition to their humor, our students have brought a community to the CFA they happily share with every patron. Our graduating seniors are wise beyond their years, and their worldviews are worth appreciating. Join us in the Fall of 2024 for the next season! More info about the Center for the Arts can be found at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/. Music by Nolan Harvel and Jeremy Zerbe

Dance in Flight is celebrating their 30th year here at Pepperdine University! They will be presenting a very exciting show in Smothers Theatre on March 14, 15, and 16. I sat down with senior dancers Mariah Macias and Taylor Faas to learn more about the excitement and hard work that go into these special performances.  Ticket link: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/events/dance-in-flight-2023.htm?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r-vBhC-ARIsAGgUO2DwyZxAYVYugp9zkyVqD4XTMT7EmYptwofGHcWElI-xJVvk65pasIIaAlwjEALw_wcB More information about the Center for the Arts can be found at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Jeremy Zerbe     

Presented by the Flora L. Thornton Opera Program, the light-hearted romantic comedy, The Merry Widow, is coming to Smothers Theatre on February 22nd and 24th! I sat down with Dr. Keith Colclough, the show's director and associate professor of vocal studies at Pepperdine, and talked about the challenges of preparing opera for the stage, his favorite parts of the show, and the enormous talent that carries the opera.  Ticket link: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/events/2023-2024-season/merry-widow.htm More information about the Center for the Arts can be found at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Jeremy Zerbe  

Pepperdine University's Raitt Recital Hall was recently treated to an incredible performance by five young classical artists: American bass-baritone Joseph Parrish, Danish cellist Jonathan Swensen, Spanish/Dutch pianist Albert Cano Smit, American tenor Daniel McGrew, and Chinese violinist Lun Li. Represented by Young Concert Artists, these singers and instrumentalists are among the elite of today's rising classical musicians. Together, they shared an impressive program of Mendellsohn, Strauss, Schumann, and Marx. I had a chance to sit down with them and discuss their touring experience, performing on the concert stage, and the demands of practice and preparation.  More information about the Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University can be found at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Jeremy Zerbe

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE! Come see the Pepperdine Choir and Orchestra present their annual Christmas concert on Thursday, December 7 at 7:30pm in Smothers Theatre. They'll be performing timeless holiday tunes and selections from the classical repertoire.  I sat down with Dr. Ryan Board, Director of Choral Activities at Pepperdine, and discussed the joys and challenges of preparing students for this event. This show is sold out, but will be livestreamed here: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/events/2023-2024-season/mus-christmas-choir-orch.htm More information about the Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University can be found at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel

Internationally acclaimed pianist Andrew von Oeyen returns to Pepperdine for a residency at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts! During his time here, he performed Beethovan's Emperor Concerto and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Pepperdine Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Pierre Long-Tao Tang. I sat down with Andrew to discuss his experiences as a performer and his special connection to Pepperdine.  Follow the Center for the Arts here and on Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes as they're released.  More info about the Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University can be found here: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/  Music by Jeremy Zerbe and Nolan Harvel

SEASON 4 IS HERE! I welcome composer Jeremy Zerbe back to the podcast for an incredible conversation about the music written for the show over the past three seasons.  We have an incredible conversation about the creative process, collaborating with musicians, and the joys of writing music for media! There is a lot in store for this season! Make sure to follow us here and on Instagram to stay up to date with new episodes as they're released. More info about the Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University can be found here: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Jeremy Zerbe and Nolan Harvel

It's the last episode of season 3! On today's episode, we meet with some of our graduating seniors from the Center For the Arts. Our patrons will have seen these students working back-of-house, front-of-house, on stage, or in the museum, and together we can enjoy the lively anecdotes of these remarkable students.  Behind-the-scenes stories, as well as backstage gossip, make this a must-listen-to episode. But in addition to their humor, our students have brought a community to the CFA they happily share with every patron. Our graduating seniors are wise beyond their years, and their worldviews are worth appreciating.  Join us in the Fall of 2023 for the next season! More info about the Center for the Arts can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by: Nolan Harvel  

We'd like to thank you all for listening and participating during season 3. After this episode, we'll be taking a break and will return for season 4 in the fall. Keep your ears open for our return date. Take a listen to some of our favorite responses as to why the arts are important. We would like to thank all of our guests and artists for joining us this year, including Taimane, Laila Biali, Mandy Gonzalez, Javier Muñoz, Pablo Sainz-Villegas, and the many others. More info about the Center for the Arts including the 2023-2024 season can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel  

For the first time, Carson Vandermade joins the podcast to discuss the Senior Showcase presented in the Weisman Museum. Carson discusses what patrons expect to see, the senior students' work, the importance of showcasing their work in a museum, and why he believes the arts are important. Carson Vandermade graduated from Pepperdine University in 2022 with a BA in studio art. He is the museum assistant and arts education coordinator for Pepperdine's Weisman Museum of Art. Carson is also a practicing visual artist whose work considers the relationships people form with their spaces and their belongings. More info about the Center for the Arts can be found at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel  

Directing major Jacqueline Thornell meets with Cathy Thomas-Grant, a cherished theatre professor at Pepperdine who served as the director of the summer Edinburgh program from 2000-2022. Jacqueline and Cathy talk about Pepperdine's upcoming performance of Americana: A Murder Ballad, its relevance and importance to today's time, and why the arts are important.   After earning her Bachelor's degree at California State University Northridge in 1984 and her Master of Fine Arts degree in acting from The American Conservatory Theatre of San Francisco in 1992, Cathy went on to lead an impressive career in the theatre, with acting credits, including but not limited to Steel Magnolias, Macbeth, and Tartuffe, and directing credits attributed to Much Ado About Nothing, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Death of a Salesman.    More info about the Center for the Arts can be found at https://arts.pepperdine.edu/   Music by Nolan Harvel  

For the first time on this podcast, we get to bring the concert to you!  Back on January 29, 2023, pianist sensation, Ying Li performed at Raitt Recital Hall. Listen to Ying Li perform Fantasy in C Major, Opus 17 by ROBERT SCHUMANN, Sonata for Piano by BÉLA BARTÓK, Instants d'un opera de Pekin by QIGANG CHEN, and L'oiseau de feu by IGOR STRAVINSKY. More info about the Center for the Arts can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Jeremy Zerbe

Guitar sensation and the inaugural winner of the 2006 Parkening International Guitar Competition Pablo Sáinz-Villegas join the podcast!  Pablo has been acclaimed by the international press and by The New York Times for his "virtuous and moving performance, with an irresistible exuberance and a range of bright colors." He has played for world leaders such as the Dalai Lama and has made numerous world premieres, including the first work written for guitar by John Williams. Pablo will be performing at Smothers Theatre on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Listen in as Nolan Harvel, our Assistant Podcast Producer interviews Pablo about his journey as a guitarist, his past, and why he believes the arts are important. More info about the Center for the Arts can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel

Broadway stars Mandy Gonzalez & Javier Muñoz join the podcast!    Mandy is highly known for starring as Angelica Schuyler on the hit show Hamilton and Nina Rosario on In the Heights.   Javier is equally as known for starring as Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton after Lin-Manuel Miranda departed the show. Javier is currently on Broadway starring in the pre-Broadway run of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: A NEW MUSICAL. He plays Miranda Priestley's right-hand man, "Nigel".   Listen in as Jacqueline Thornell, a Theatre Directing major at Pepperdine interviews them about their acting journey, advice for the next generation of theatre & entertainment professionals, and why they believe the arts are important.   Ticket link: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/events/2022-2023-season/pepperdine-opera-hms-pinafore.htm More info about the Center for the Arts can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel  

Dr. Keith Colclough returns to the podcast for the third time! Dr. Colclough is an Assistant Professor of Voice and the Director of Opera.    We sit down to discuss what a healthy singing voice is, types of singing styles, and the upcoming comedic performance of H.M.S. Pinafore Details!   H.M.S. Pinafore Details    Thursday, February 23 & Saturday, February 25, 2023   Ticket link: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/events/2022-2023-season/pepperdine-opera-hms-pinafore.htm More info about the Center for the Arts can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel  

Part 2 of jazz and musical phenomenon Laila Biali! Listen to the second part of Laila's interview. Laila is wonderful! Don't miss this episode as Laila talks about the differences in music between her home in Toronto, Canada, and her other home, New York City, and a few other topics.   You can find all of Laila's information here: https://lailabiali.com/   More info about the Center for the Arts can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/   Music by Nolan Harvel

Jazz and musical phenomenon Laila Biali joins the Centered on the Arts podcast! Don't miss this episode as Laila talks about her JUNO win, finding her space within Jazz and the music industry, and what she thinks should be taught in music education. And, of course, why she believes the arts are important.   You can find all of Laila's information here: https://lailabiali.com/   More info about the Center for the Arts can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/   Music by Nolan Harvel

Part 2 with Hollace Starr! Listen in as we continue the conversation with all the audio that didn't make it into the first episode.   Hollace is an associate professor of theatre at Pepperdine University, where she teaches, coaches voice and dialects, and directs. Outside of Pepperdine she has acted and directed numerous productions, and she is a founding member of Rogue Machine Theatre Company in Venice, CA. Hollace received her MFA in acting from UCLA's School of Theatre, Film and Television. She is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio and a designated Linklater Voice teacher.   More info about the Center for the Arts can be found:  https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel

Hollace Starr returns to discuss her upcoming production of Into the Woods. Hollace shares her experience directing her first musical, the deep themes within the characters and story of Into the Woods, and why the arts are important.  Hollace is an associate professor of theatre at Pepperdine University, where she teaches, coaches voice and dialects, and directs. Outside of Pepperdine she has acted and directed numerous productions, and she is a founding member of Rogue Machine Theatre Company in Venice, CA. Hollace received her MFA in acting from UCLA's School of Theatre, Film and Television. She is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio and a designated Linklater Voice teacher. If you are interested in tickets of Into the Woods performance, please visit: https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1028833/2022-fall-musical-malibu-smothers-theatre More info about the Center for the Arts can be found:  https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel

Ukulele and musical sensation Taimane joins the Centered on the Arts podcast! Taimane, a hapa Sāmoan artist (part indigenous Sāmoan and part Caucasian) born and raised in Hawai'i, has established herself as an artist-to-watch, wowing audiences and listeners around the world while raking in one accolade after another and garnering a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award as Favorite Entertainer of the Year in 2019. From sold-out shows across the U.S. to Europe, Taimane's live performances have become must-see events. The same can be said of her videos, which have been viewed well over 50 million times and helped earn Taimane nearly 500,000 online followers. From Bach to Led Zeppelin, flamenco infernos to tribal hymns, Taimane's artistic vision is boundless, and she's proving the sky's the limit for her and her ukulele. More info about the Center for the Arts can be found: https://arts.pepperdine.edu/ Music by Nolan Harvel