This week on the pod, something a little different: instead of the usual one-on-one interview with a Milwaukee arts leader, we welcome the entire Imagine MKE team to share their early memories that sparked a love of the arts and their Milwaukee origin story. Lindsay is joined by co-host Esteban Contreras, Communications and Network Development Fellow with Imagine MKE. Enjoy some holiday whimsy before we dive in to the interviews. Happy Holidays, all.

Welcome to Arts Forward MKE hosted by Lindsay Sheridan, Director of Marketing and PR at Imagine MKE. Each episode, Lindsay sits down with an arts leader and asks them about their early memories that sparked a love of the arts, what they're up to in their work now, and their dreams for the future of arts and culture in Milwaukee.

This week, Lindsay speaks with David Bloom, co-artistic director of Present Music. They talk about David's personal musical mission, Present Music's virtual fall programming (buy tickets to watch still at www.presentmusic.org), Milwaukee's enthusiastic new music audiences, and much more.

Intro and outro music is from Present Music's virtual Thanksgiving concert, "Wherein Lies The Good."

Intro: Mark Stewart: To Whom It May Concern: Thank You (2008) performed by Mark Stewart, electric guitar and Present Music musicians

Outro: V. Poetry (text: Abraham Sutzkever) | פּ ָאעזיע from Alex Weiser's and all the days were purple (2017) | און ַאלע טעג ז ַײנען געװען פּורפּורן, performed by Eliza Bagg, soprano and Present Music musicians.

Welcome to Arts Forward MKE hosted by Lindsay Sheridan, Director of Marketing and PR at Imagine MKE. Each episode, Lindsay sits down with an arts leader and asks them about their early memories that sparked a love of the arts, what they're up to in their work now, and their dreams for the future of arts and culture in Milwaukee.

This week, Lindsay talks to Richard Hynson, Music Director of Bel Canto Chorus. They talk about Rick's memories of growing up singing in Washington National Cathedral (where Lindsay worked for several years - here's a favorite photo of the space), his musical journey to Milwaukee and years with Bel Canto Chorus, and more.

They also talk about the process of rehearsing virtually (from the perspectives of Music Director and choir alto) for a Christmas program which will be released Friday, Dec. 18. Visit Bel Canto's website to learn more.

Music: Silent Night, arr. Michelle Hynson, perf. Bel Canto