Black Music Seen

Informal Conversations to Sustained Advocacy with Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs

Following our conversation with Lawrence Brownlee, this episode centers on Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs — founding members of the Black Orchestral Network — for a deeper look at how BON began and what it means to build something that lasts.
What started as informal conversations among friends evolved into a sustained effort to create community, advocacy, and infrastructure for Black orchestral musicians. Weston and Shea reflect on the early days, the urgency of 2020, and the quiet consistency required to transform reflection into action.
The conversation explores:
• The organic beginnings of BON• The responsibility of mentorship• The evolution from community gathering to formal organization• Recent initiatives including Dear American Orchestras Part III, which examines the experiences of orchestral fellows and offers recommendations for structural improvement
This episode offers a candid look at the work behind the work — the relationships, conversations, and commitment that continue to shape the Black Orchestral Network.
Black Music Seen remains committed to preserving the lived stories of Black classical musicians — honoring those who carried the culture and those building its future.

The Necessary Ingredient -- Featuring Tenor Lawrence Brownlee

In this episode of Black Music Seen, tenor Lawrence Brownlee joins Weston Sprott and Shea Scruggs for an unfiltered conversation about the real work behind a lasting career in classical music.
From singing in church to performing leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Brownlee reflects on the long road to artistic authority — including the rejection, setbacks, and self-doubt that shaped him along the way. He speaks candidly about losing early competitions, being told he would never have a major career, and why he believes failure is not an obstacle, but a necessary ingredient of success.
Together, they explore:• The difference between confidence and arrogance• The discipline required to sustain excellence• The legacy of Black opera pioneers who paved the way• What it means to stand on the shoulders of Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, and George Shirley• The responsibility of mentorship and carrying the culture forward
Black Music Seen continues its commitment to preserving the lived stories of Black classical musicians — honoring those who carried the culture and those shaping what comes next.

Young Black Leaders at The Juilliard School — Featuring Black Collegiate Musicians

In this episode of Black Music Seen, we spotlight the next generation of leadership in Black classical music.
Hosted by Brittney Bryanna Burgess — Executive Director of Black Collegiate Musicians — this conversation features Shania Watts (violist at The Juilliard School and President of the Juilliard Black Student Union) and Wynter McCray (double bassist at Juilliard and Vice President of the Juilliard Black Student Union).
Recorded live at OPERA America, this dialogue centers on mentorship, self-advocacy, and the importance of building a life in classical music that extends beyond the practice room. From learning how to say no, to asking questions without fear, to imagining a more diverse and sustainable future for the concert hall, this episode reflects on what it means to lead with intention.
Black Collegiate Musicians works to connect and uplift Black music students nationwide, serving as a network of support, advocacy, and community.
This episode continues our commitment to preserving the lived stories of Black classical music — from those who carried the culture to those shaping what comes next.

Rosalyn Story, Violin

On today’s episode, we’re joined by violinist, writer, and cultural historian Rosalyn Story.
 
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. Whether chronicling the legacy of opera trailblazers like Sissieretta Jones or guiding students through the soundscape of African American music, Rosalyn brings a rare kind of dual fluency — one grounded in both performance and storytelling.
 
In this episode, she shares how a $0.75 violin class in Kansas City sparked a lifelong passion, what it meant to be the only Black musician in the room, and how music — especially jazz — continues to sustain her in moments of grief and resistance.
 
It’s a conversation about resilience, reverence, and the many ways we remember who we are — through sound, through stories, and through one another.

Quenton Blache, Cellist and Composer

In today’s episode, we’ll meet 23-year-old Quenton Blache, a remarkable cellist and composer. Quenton has performed with prestigious groups like the National Youth Orchestra of the USA and Sphinx Virtuosi. He has also been commissioned to create works for the Sphinx Virtuosi, North Carolina Chamber Music Institute, and Little Orchestra Society.
Quenton is particularly passionate about composing for visual media and has scored numerous short films and documentaries. Today, he joins us to discuss his latest project, "To Whom I Pray," an audiovisual piece.
 
We'll explore Quenton's journey, listen to some of his works, and, at the end of the show, premiere his brand-new piece.

Beverly Kane Baker, Viola

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.
In our conversation, she reflects on growing up in a music-filled neighborhood, the mentors who shaped her, and the values of discipline, service, and joy that continue to guide her life. We also talk about what it means to show up—fully and authentically—as a Black woman in classical music spaces, and how she continues to inspire the next generation.

Celebrating The Gateways Music Festival 2025

On today’s episode, We’re highlighting the Gateways Music Festival — a powerful meeting ground for Black classical musicians from across the country. It’s more than a festival. It’s a home. A reunion. A proving ground.
You’ll hear from four extraordinary artists who carry that legacy forward: Alex Laing, Curtis Stewart, Melissa White, and Damien Sneed.
From world premieres to reimagined classics, from personal reflections to artistic breakthroughs — this episode is a window into the soul of Gateways.

Carlos Simon, Composer

On today’s episode, we’re talking with Carlos Simon—a Grammy-nominated composer, cultural storyteller, and one of the most influential musical voices of our time.
Carlos’s music blends gospel, jazz, classical, and cinematic soundscapes to tell stories that speak to our collective memory, our spiritual traditions, and the urgency of now. From his work with the Kennedy Center and Boston Symphony to his bold compositions like Requiem for the Enslaved, Amen!, and brea(d)th, Carlos is using music as a form of ministry, resistance, and joy.
We sat down ahead of the upcoming premiere of his monumental new work, Good News Mass, commissioned by the LA Philharmonic. It’s a gospel-infused reimagining of the Catholic Mass that features spoken word, orchestral brilliance, and visual storytelling—anchored in the Black sacred tradition.
In this conversation, we talk about the creative journey behind Good News Mass, what it means to compose from a place of faith and ancestral presence, and how Carlos continues to push boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in purpose.

Rhyuhn Green, Pianst and Composer

Today, we’re joined by a rising star whose artistry is captivating audiences worldwide—18-year-old pianist and composer Rhyuhn Green. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rhyuhn has already made waves with his award-winning single Symbiosis, featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk and From the Top, as well as performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Curtis Institute of Music. A Kovner Fellow at Juilliard, Rhyuhn’s talent extends beyond classical music—his work fuses jazz, rock, and R&B, showcasing his versatility as a producer and performer.
Rhyuhn is stepping into a new chapter with the release of his first album, Pheonixes—a bold statement on rebirth, resilience, and creative evolution.
On this episode, we’ll get to know Rhyuhn, hear his music, and explore the inspirations behind Pheonixes.
 
Pheonixes is out now available everywhere. 

Black Music Seen LIVE at the BON Summit 2024

This month, we’re bringing you an extraordinary episode of Black Music Seen, recorded LIVE at our BON Summit this past October!
 
Featuring two brilliant scholars: Dr. Matthew Morrison and Dr Richard Desinord, we explored the obstacles that hinder the integration and expression of Black cultural aesthetics in so called classical music.
 
What do we mean when we talk about “authenticity” and “aesthetics” in Black music? How do we continue to bring more Black culture into classical music? What can we learn from those who came before us?
 
Black cultural aesthetics are in focus in this episode.
 
🎧 Don’t miss this special episode of Black Music Seen, where live energy meets academic brilliance, offering a fresh perspective on the art we celebrate.