Performance Today Young Artist in Residence Claudia Diaz first discovered opera through a movie, then a YouTube search led her to Maria Callas and later Diana Damrau. Now, she says opera lets her feel deeply and connect with listeners. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at her performance video shoot at Minneapolis Historical Landmark, The Van Dusen Mansion.

Diaz, who is pursuing an Artist Diploma at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, reflects on human connection, Puerto Rico, and the people who shaped her journey and gets a surprise lunch from local Minneapolis gem, Ena Minneapolis.

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More on The Van Dusen Mansion

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Listen to Claudia’s radio broadcast

Performance Today Team
Host and Producer: Meghann Oglesby
Camera Operators: Evan Clark, Sean Belcher, Ruben Schneiderman
Editors: Evan Clark, Ruben Schneiderman
Audio Engineer: Michael Osborne
Musicians: Claudia Diaz, soprano; Kevin Korth, piano

Throughout its almost 40 year history, first as the Bakken Quartet and then as the Bakken Piano Trio (now as Bakken Ensemble), the Bakken musicians have always performed a diverse repertoire including classics, unusual works by old and new composers, and world premieres that demonstrate their ability to thrive in difficult and seldom-traveled waters.

The ensemble joins host Tom Crann in the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio at Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters in St. Paul to talk about its origins as a chamber group and its recent projects and commissions.

Watch the group’s performance of Fly Away Moon by American composer, producer and performer TJ Cole.

Musicians
Stephanie Arado: violin
Pitnarry Shin: cello
Grace Takeda: viola
Matt Haimovitz: cello

Credits
Guests: Stephanie Arado, Pitnarry Shin, Grace Takeda, Matt Haimovitz
Host: Tom Crann
Video Producer: John Kuntz
Video Editor: Josh Sauvageau
Camera Operator: Josh Sauvageau
Audio Engineer: Cameron Wiley
Digital Producers: Ines Guanchez, Jenny Cvek-Walmsley

Listen to Tom Crann’s on-air interview with the ensemble!

Throughout its almost 40 year history, first as the Bakken Quartet and then as the Bakken Piano Trio (now as Bakken Ensemble), the Bakken musicians have always performed a diverse repertoire including classics, unusual works by old and new composers, and world premieres that demonstrate their ability to thrive in difficult and seldom-traveled waters.

The ensemble joins host Tom Crann in the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio at Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters in St. Paul to talk about its origins as a chamber group and its recent projects and commissions.

Watch the group’s performance of the second movement of Russian composer Anton Arensky’s String Quartet No. 2 above.

Musicians
Stephanie Arado: violin
Pitnarry Shin: cello
Grace Takeda: viola
Matt Haimovitz: cello

Credits
Guests: Stephanie Arado, Pitnarry Shin, Grace Takeda, Matt Haimovitz
Host: Tom Crann
Video Producer: John Kuntz
Video Editor: Josh Sauvageau
Camera Operator: Josh Sauvageau
Audio Engineer: Cameron Wiley
Digital Producers: Ines Guanchez, Jenny Cvek-Walmsley

Listen to Tom Crann’s on-air interview with the ensemble!

Throughout its almost 40 year history, first as the Bakken Quartet and then as the Bakken Piano Trio (now as Bakken Ensemble), the Bakken musicians have always performed a diverse repertoire including classics, unusual works by old and new composers, and world premieres that demonstrate their ability to thrive in difficult and seldom-traveled waters.

The ensemble joins host Tom Crann in the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio at Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters in St. Paul to talk about its origins as a chamber group and its recent projects and commissions.

Musicians
Stephanie Arado: violin
Pitnarry Shin: cello
Grace Takeda: viola
Matt Haimovitz: cello

Credits
Guests: Stephanie Arado, Pitnarry Shin, Grace Takeda, Matt Haimovitz
Host: Tom Crann
Video Producer: John Kuntz
Video Editor: Josh Sauvageau
Camera Operator: Josh Sauvageau
Audio Engineer: Cameron Wiley
Digital Producers: Ines Guanchez, Jenny Cvek-Walmsley

Listen to Tom Crann’s on-air interview with the ensemble!

The Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) is the largest youth orchestra program in the country, serving more than 1300 students through its 11 school-year orchestras, camps and community initiatives. Its programs provide a musical pathway for students from across the region, ages 7-18, of all backgrounds and musical levels.

Watch as host Vernon Neal speaks to three members of GTCYS’ Symphony ensemble at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis about their instruments and experiences, as well as how GTCYS is helping shape their future.

Musicians
Hansel Pérez Carrero: violin
Ana Caridad Frómeta: violin
Amaya Fuentes Sarria: viola
Denise Hernández Rabeiro: cello

Music Excerpts
An Overture: The Mouse and Its Shadow by Luke Soneral
Prelude from Die Meistersinger by Richard Wagner

Credits
Guests: Solanite Ketema, Kyle Garay, Tom Sella
Host: Vernon Neal
Video Producer: Ariel Tilson
Video Editor: Evan Clark
Camera Operator: Evan Clark
Audio Engineer: Sean Belcher
Digital Producer: Ines Guanchez

Performance Today Young Artist in Residence Sean Terada Yang says he was drawn to music by the same impulse that initially led him toward medicine: helping people feel better. The pianist, who’s pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rice University, joins producer Meghann Oglesby to bring music to Pillars of Prospect Park Memory Care Residents in Minneapolis and takes a moment to rate the food at The Nook, a historic neighborhood pub and burger joint in St. Paul, Minnesota.

More on Sean Terada Yang

More about The Pillars of Prospect Park

Peformance Today Team
Host and Producer: Meghann Oglesby
Camera Operators: Evan Clark, Sean Belcher
Editor: Evan Clark
Audio Engineer: Cameron Wiley

Recorded at Icehouse in Minneapolis, Minnesota featuring cellist Matt Haimovitz and pianist Christopher O’Riley.

Hosted by Valerie Kahler recorded at Icehouse in Minneapolis, Minnesota featuring cellist Matt Haimovitz and pianist Christopher O'Riley. They discuss their collaborative process, instrument mechanics, performance tuning, and their album The Bach Dialogues.

The Havana Quartet is an ensemble that proudly represents the richness and diversity of Cuban culture. Made up of Hansel Pérez Carrero, Ana Caridad Frómeta, Amaya Fuentes Sarria and Denise Hernández Rabeiro, the group immigrated to the Twin Cities in 2023 and has since called Minnesota home.

The quartet joins host Vernon Neal in the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio at Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters in St. Paul to talk about its origins in Cuba, its journey to Minnesota, and how the musicians’ Cuban roots show up in their lives as performers and teachers.

Watch the group’s performance of Cuban composer Miguel Matamoros’ Lágrimas Negras (Black Tears), arranged by Cuban composer Jenny Peña.

Video Segments:
00:00 Introduction
00:40 ‘Textura Vitral’ by Wilma Alba Cal
04:48 Interview with host Vernon Neal, part 1
10:39 ‘A Bayamo en Coche’ by Adalberto Álvarez arr. Jenny Peña
14:35 Interview with host Vernon Neal, part 2
29:12 ‘Lágrimas Negras’ by Miguel Matamoros, arr. Jenny Peña

Musicians:
Hansel Pérez Carrero – violin
Ana Caridad Frómeta – violin
Amaya Fuentes Sarria – viola
Denise Hernández Rabeiro – cello

Credits:
Guests – Hansel Pérez Carrero, Ana Caridad Frómeta, Amaya Fuentes Sarria, Denise Hernández Rabeiro
Host – Vernon Neal
Video Producer – Ines Guanchez
Video Editor – Evan Clark
Camera Operator – Evan Clark
Audio Engineer – Craig Thorson
Digital Producers – Ines Guanchez, Jenny Cvek-Walmsley

The Havana Quartet is an ensemble that proudly represents the richness and diversity of Cuban culture. Made up of Hansel Pérez Carrero, Ana Caridad Frómeta, Amaya Fuentes Sarria and Denise Hernández Rabeiro, the group immigrated to the Twin Cities in 2023 and has since called Minnesota home.

The quartet joins host Vernon Neal in the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio at Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters in St. Paul to talk about its origins in Cuba, its journey to Minnesota, and how the musicians’ Cuban roots show up in their lives as performers and teachers.

Watch the group's performance of Cuban composer Wilma Alba Cal’s Textura Vitral (Stained Glass Texture).

Video Segments:
00:00 Introduction
00:40 ‘Textura Vitral’ by Wilma Alba Cal
04:48 Interview with host Vernon Neal, part 1
10:39 ‘A Bayamo en Coche’ by Adalberto Álvarez arr. Jenny Peña
14:35 Interview with host Vernon Neal, part 2
29:12 ‘Lágrimas Negras’ by Miguel Matamoros, arr. Jenny Peña

Musicians:
Hansel Pérez Carrero – violin
Ana Caridad Frómeta – violin
Amaya Fuentes Sarria – viola
Denise Hernández Rabeiro – cello

Credits:
Guests – Hansel Pérez Carrero, Ana Caridad Frómeta, Amaya Fuentes Sarria, Denise Hernández Rabeiro
Host – Vernon Neal
Video Producer – Ines Guanchez
Video Editor – Evan Clark
Camera Operator – Evan Clark
Audio Engineer – Craig Thorson
Digital Producers – Ines Guanchez, Jenny Cvek-Walmsley

The Havana Quartet is an ensemble that proudly represents the richness and diversity of Cuban culture. Made up of Hansel Pérez Carrero, Ana Caridad Frómeta, Amaya Fuentes Sarria and Denise Hernández Rabeiro, the group immigrated to the Twin Cities in 2023 and have since called it their home.

The quartet joins host Vernon Neal in the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio at Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters in St. Paul to talk about their origins in Cuba, their journey to Minnesota, and how their Cuban roots show up in their lives as performers and teachers.

Video Segments:
00:00 Introduction
00:40 ‘Textura Vitral’ by Wilma Alba Cal
04:48 Interview with host Vernon Neal, part 1
10:39 ‘A Bayamo en Coche’ by Adalberto Álvarez arr. Jenny Peña
14:35 Interview with host Vernon Neal, part 2
29:12 ‘Lágrimas Negras’ by Miguel Matamoros, arr. Jenny Peña

Musicians:
Hansel Pérez Carrero – violin
Ana Caridad Frómeta – violin
Amaya Fuentes Sarria – viola
Denise Hernández Rabeiro – cello

Credits:
Guests – Hansel Pérez Carrero, Ana Caridad Frómeta, Amaya Fuentes Sarria, Denise Hernández Rabeiro
Host – Vernon Neal
Video Producer – Ines Guanchez
Video Editor – Evan Clark
Camera Operator – Evan Clark
Audio Engineer – Craig Thorson
Digital Producers – Ines Guanchez, Jenny Cvek-Walmsley

You voted for your favorite American composers as part of YourClassical’s American Composers Countdown. Now find out which ones our hosts love! Host Tom Crann’s favorite American composer is known for perfecting the sound of a wide open prairie, the wild west and even a country lane. Can you guess who it is?

In the newest episode of Classically Training, host Aerin O’Malley sits down with three composers to discuss how they write classical music. In this excerpt, she asks what they look like when they compose. To learn more, watch Classically Training, Episode 5 - “How do composers compose?”

In the newest episode of Classically Training, host Aerin O’Malley sits down with three composers to discuss how they write classical music. In this excerpt, she asks how they know their different parts will sound good together. To learn more, watch Classically Training, Episode 5 - “How do composers compose?”

All classical music started with a blank page. Before any piece is played or heard, someone has to create it. What does it take to organize all those notes into a final composition? In this episode, composers Shruthi Rajasekar, Janika Vandervelde, and Dan Nass take a seat at the Composers Roundtable to share how they turn their ideas into music.

‘Classically Training’ host Aerin O’Malley is back for Season 2, and she has some questions. First, how do composers write classical music? Stay tuned for a new episode of Classically Training on Monday, June 29.

Watch full episodes!

‘Classically Training’ host Aerin O’Malley asks three composers about the composers they like and admire the most. Learn more about how composers write classical music in a new full episode, coming soon on YouTube and YourClassical.org.

Watch full episodes!

‘Classically Training’ host Aerin O’Malley is back for Season 2, and she has some questions. First, how do composers write classical music? Stay tuned for a new episode of Classically Training on YouTube and YourClassical.org.

Watch full episodes!

“Classically Training” host Aerin O’Malley invites professional conductor Bill Eddins to play “Can You Conduct?” with her co-workers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this edition, our novice participants try to conduct Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik. To learn more about conducting, watch Classically Training, Episode 3: “What does the arm waving mean?”

Classically Training host Aerin O’Malley invites professional conductor Bill Eddins to play “Can You Conduct?” with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this edition, our novice participants try to conduct an orchestral arrangement of “Happy Birthday.” To learn more about conducting, watch Classically Training, Episode 3: “What does the arm waving mean?”

Classically Training host Aerin O’Malley invites professional conductor Bill Eddins to play Can You Conduct? with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this edition, our novice participants try to conduct the main theme from Star Wars, by John Williams. To learn more about conducting, watch Classically Training, Episode 3: “What does the arm waving mean?”

Classically Training host Aerin O’Malley invites professional conductor Bill Eddins to play “Can You Conduct?” with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this edition, our novice participants try to conduct Antonio Vivaldi’s “Spring,” from The Four Seasons. To learn more about conducting, watch Classically Training, Episode 3: “What does the arm waving mean?”

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this episode, contestants decide whether Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is classical. To learn more about what classical music is (or isn’t), watch Classically Training, Episode 1 – “What is classical music?”

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with members of the Class Notes Teen Council. In this episode, contestants decide whether Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is classical. To learn more about what classical music is (or isn’t), watch Classically Training, Episode 1 – “What is classical music?”

Soprano Amanda Batista (Nedda) performs “Stridono lassù” from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci accompanied by Principal Coach & Chorus Director Celeste Marie Johnson on piano.

MN Opera’s Pagliacci takes the stage at the Ordway, May 9-17.

Learn more and get tickets!

Tenor Won Whi Choi (Canio) performs “Un tal gioco, credimi” from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci accompanied by Principal Coach & Chorus Director Celeste Marie Johnson on piano.

MN Opera’s Pagliacci takes the stage at the Ordway, May 9-17.

Learn more and get tickets!

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this episode, contestants decide whether the overture to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical Cinderella is classical. To learn more about what classical music is (or isn’t), watch Classically Training, Episode 1 – “What is classical music?”

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with members of the Class Notes Teen Council. In this episode, contestants decide whether the overture to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical “Cinderella” is classical. To learn more about what classical music is (or isn’t), watch Classically Training, Episode 1 – “What is classical music?”

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with her coworkers at Minnesota Public Radio. In this episode, contestants decide whether the Vitamin String Quartet’s arrangement of Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” is classical. To learn more about what classical music is (or isn’t), watch Classically Training, Episode 1 – “What is classical music?”

Aerin O’Malley hosts a round of Is It Classical? with members of the Class Notes Teen Council. In this episode, contestants decide whether the Vitamin String Quartet’s arrangement of Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” is classical. To learn more about what classical music is (or isn’t), watch Classically Training, Episode 1 – “What is classical music?”