Centered on the Arts Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts & R.J. Morgan

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