Robyn Archer is a singer, writer, director, festival director and advocate of the arts in Australia and around the world. Archer is a talented exponent of German cabaret, has been the Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival, and the Melbourne International Arts Festival among others, and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia, as well as a Chevalier du l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

In this podcast she talks about changing attitudes towards the arts in Australia and the United States, the cultural shift taking place at the dawn of the 21st century, and how technology impacts the creation and presentation of art.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

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Norman Armour is the Executive Director and Curator of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, currently in progress in Vancouver, Canada. The festival’s mission, in his own words, is to “present the very best in contemporary performance with work that is visionary, genre-bending, multi-disciplined, startling and original.” His quest for works that meet this description has taken him around the globe, from Brussels to Melbourne.

In this interview, Norman talks with us about the trajectory of the PuSh festival, and the role of Vancouver in the festival.

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Composer, violinist, band leader and educator Daniel Bernard Roumain combines his classical training with jazz, rock, electronica and hip-hop to create some of the most innovative contemporary music today. DBR has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Philip Glass and DJ Spooky.

In this podcast DBR talks about why he mentors young composers and musicians, who has helped him get to where he is today, and how the iPod shuffle has changed the way audiences respond to contemporary classical music.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Photo Credit: John Walder

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Manuel Bagorro is the founder and artistic director of the Harare International Festival of the Arts. Now in its tenth year, HIFA celebrates a vibrant cultural life and highlights connections between Zimbabwe and the rest of the world.

In this podcast Manuel talks about transitioning from concert pianist to festival director, the importance of creativity for communities struggling to cope, and his new collaboration with Carnegie Hall.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

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Bill Bragin is Director of Public Programming at Lincoln Center, heading up the summer outdoor festivals Midsummer Night Swing and Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Bill was also director of Joe’s Pub and The Public Theater.

In this podcast he talks about how he became hooked on world music, how he draws audiences to innovative performances, and the challenges and opportunities for American presenters.

This interview is part of an ongoing series with the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.

Photo Credit: Nicole Szalewski

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