Trilloquy

As I begin to approach the end of my first year at American Public Media, I have to acknowledge some of the challenges I've faced. I understand, very much so, that I engage millions of listeners each week, but it's easy to feel a little isolated from time to time - especially considering that it's completely possible for me to go an entire week without seeing too many other people. Thankfully I have my boyfriend Dell here, but even our two schedules don't line up all the time. I didn't really expect it, but I found a bit of solace in the world of podcasts. 

I wish I could remember how I was first exposed to The Joe Budden Podcast, but it's a staple for me now. I can safely say that it's my favorite podcast. Each week, he and his friends talk about "the culture", and his show keeps me up to date with what's happening in the world of hip-hop, and other aspects of black culture. A few of the other podcasts I've enjoyed listening to each week include Classically Black, The Read, and The Need to Know Podcast (which I'll be a guest on this April). Go check those out!

What I like most about the podcasts I listen to is that it's a peek into worlds you don't see everyday, or that you're separated from in some way. Both of those things are certainly the case for me, as a classical music professional. Back in November I began to wonder - how can I converge the audiences I spend so much time with through podcasts, and the audiences I spend so much time with in my job. The answer I came to was building my very own podcast! 

With the help of my dear friend and colleague, Scott Blankenship, I'm all set to pitch and eventually release the first episode of my new show, that I've titled "Trilloquy". Trill is a term in classical music, and also one used by "the culture" at large, so I thought it was the perfect work to use for a title. I mashed it with the word colloquy, which sets up the general feel of the show. It's not a podcast about classical music - it's a podcast about the perspectives and stories of the people that appreciate classical music, and the people that help make it possible. The perspectives and stories I've gathered from guests so far are ones that I believe most classical music audiences have never heard, and I'm really excited to bring this bit of blackness to my job, and to the world of classical music! "Opus 1" of Trilloquy will feature my friend, Marion, who's pictured with me below. 

My goal is to have it available by my birthday, March 20 (you can send me gifts, by the way, haha). I'll be sure to keep the world updated with how everything is going in the coming weeks - be on the lookout! 

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