TRILLOQUY

"America/Beautiful" is a project by pianist and arts advocate Min Kwon, in which she has commissioned a diverse group of more than 70 of today’s leading American composers to each compose a variation on “America the Beautiful.” Loki chats with Min about this project, her Center for Musical Excellence, and her nuanced view of what it means to take action toward a better America. Loki offers thoughts on his initial response to this project, and how dialogue gave him a more accurate view of it. Min Kwon"American/Beautiful"Center of Music ExcellenceDaniel Bernard Roumain: “america, NEVER beautiful”Kristjan Järvi: “Look up America” ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with Devin Moore of the Isidore String Quartet about life as a professional chamber musician, what it looks like to help people reimagine this sub-genre of "classical" music, and how his Blackness shows up along the way. Loki unpacks how he sees an engagement of the Western classical tradition as being a part of decolonization. Isidore String QuartetAdorationsAdoration by Florence Price, arr. by Samuel Araya (perf. Isidore String Quartet)String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 44 No. 3 by Felix Mendelssohn (perf. Isidore String Quartet) ★ Support this podcast ★

On April 16-19, 2026 the Gateways Music Festival will join forces with the Dance Theatre of Harlem to present Igor Stravinsky's "Firebird", led by acclaimed conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson. Jeri joins Loki to talk about her historic firsts as a Black woman conductor, her Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, and her work with the Gateways Music Festival. Jeri Lynne JohnsonBlack Pearl Chamber OrchestraGateways Music FestivalDance Theatre of HarlemInfernal Dance (perf. London Symphony Orchestra/Stokowski)Firebird Finale (perf. London Symphony Orchestra/Stokowski) ★ Support this podcast ★

On March 27, 2026, Naxos Records released "When the Caged Bird Sings" - a new work for orchestra, chorus, and soloists by composer Nkeiru Okoye. Nkeiru joins Loki to talk about her identity as a composer of both African-American and Nigerian heritage, her new recording, and her experiences working with all of the collaborators along the way. Loki offers a Buddhist parable on the subject of caged birds. Nkeiru OkoyeWhen the Caged Bird SingsVideo Trailer ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with Nathalie Joachim about the recent release of "Black Being", a four-movement work by Nathalie and Allison Loggins-Hull featuring the Chicago Sinfonietta and poetry by Jaki Shelton Green. Loki offers his take on the end of Flutronix, and the importance of the acceptance of change and transition. Nathalie JoachimAllison Loggins-HullJaki Shelton GreenChicago Sinfonietta"Black Being" ★ Support this podcast ★

In late 2025, violinist Curtis Stewart, Maestro Michael Repper and the National Philharmonic reunited in concert at The Music Center at Strathmore, following the release of their Samuel Coleridge-Taylor album, honoring the 150th anniversary of the birth of this "overlooked icon of Black classical music." Michael Repper joins Loki to talk about what he sees as the responsibilities of non-Black musicians as it relates to "un-marginalizing" the legacies of composers like Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Loki responds to news coming from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. Michael RepperSamuel Coleridge-Taylor: Toussaint l'Ouverture, Ballade Op. 4, Suites From '24 Negro Melodies'Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Recordings and Free-Use Performance MaterialsClarinet Sues Orchestra for Nixing Audition Result ★ Support this podcast ★

Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol is a Turkish-born musician and composer whose work has been described as "multiculturalism [that] is not touristy, but rather sophisticated, informed, internalized." He joins Loki to talk about the "reconstruction" of his identity, fighting against western European musical imperialism, and his new Sufi-inspired album, "Lessons from Nightingales". Loki offers a response to a recent protest at the Metropolitan Opera. I CARE IF YOU LISTENMehmet Ali Sanlıkol"Lessons From Nightingales"The Triumph: No. 3, Tecella "The Revelation"Devran: No. 2, Mevlan senin aşıkların devran iderler Hu ileUnfinished SideLeader of Met Opera ‘Carmen’ Protest Pens Open Letter to Apologize to Artists & State His Aims ★ Support this podcast ★

When Josh Jones was denied tenure at the Kansas City Symphony, he alleged racism and the world listened. He joins Loki to tell his story, share how this experience has informed the future of his career, and to offer broader context on why fighting racism within the orchestral field is still important. Loki shares continued reflections on his 2020 termination from American Public Media. Josh Jones"This Black Musician Says He Was Unjustly Fired From His Orchestra Job. Now He’s Calling Out A System Of Inequality"CPO Principal Percussion Josh Jones / Hikoi / Provocative: Percussion + TchaikovskyCurtis Stewart: Drill for Prepared Drumset and StringsYourClassical Storytime: KinderLute ★ Support this podcast ★

Raised in exile, composer Tenzin Choegyal has spent his career highlighting the beauty of Tibetan culture, Buddhist philosophy, and human connection through music. He joins Loki to talk about his life, development as a musician, and his latest album, "Be The Sky", featuring arrangements by Philip Glass, performances by the Tibetan Children's Chorus, and many other collaborators. Loki offers his response to Zohran Mamdani's recent meeting with Donald Trump. Tenzin Choegyal/"Be The Sky""Tenzin Choegyal Brings Tibet to the World with 'Be the Sky'" (from I CARE IF YOU LISTEN)Be The Sky (feat. Saori Tsukada)Tenzin Choegyal & Philip Glass – "Snowy Mountains – GangRi" གངས་རི་རྭ་བས།The Enemies ProjectPresident Trump Meets with Zohran Mamdani, Mayor-Elect, New York City ★ Support this podcast ★

Donna Walker-Kuhne is celebrated as the nation’s foremost expert in audience development by the Arts & Business Council, and has devoted her professional career to increasing access to the arts – especially for communities that haven’t always seen themselves in those spaces. She joins Loki to chat about her development as an artist, her new book, Champions for the Arts, and how her Buddhist practice fuels her mission. Loki celebrations the 95th anniversary of the Soka Gakkai. I CARE IF YOU LISTENWalker International Communications Group, Inc.Champions for the Arts"Mother Earth Drumming""Black Orpheus"Soka Gakkai ★ Support this podcast ★

As the orchestral field continues to face its relative lack of diversity on stage, Joe LaRocca has dedicated work toward raising awareness around a lack of diversity under the stage. He joins Loki to talk about his experiences as a theater musician, the challenges he's faced engaging this topic among theater professionals, and the written word that supports this activism. Loki responds to the 2025 New York City mayoral election. Joe LaRocca"Casting the Pit" by Joe LaRoccaSubstack - Katherine NeedlemanSubstack - Gabriel KahaneVortex SoupJoe LaRocca with the NIU Middle Eastern Music Ensemble ★ Support this podcast ★

Josh Jones and Bill Neri join Loki Karuna to chat about the new album from Sphinx Virtuosi: American Mirror. Loki explores his history with the Sphinx Organization and encourages others to consider the diversity of tactics needed to institute change in the classical field. Recomposing America/American Composers ForumSphinx OrganizationJosh JonesBill NeriAmerican Mirror"Drill" by Curtis Stewart"Habari Gani" by Quenton BlacheSphinx Panel: The Orchestra as a Predominantly White Institution ★ Support this podcast ★

Stefan Thompson is a composer whose works celebrate the beautifully diverse aesthetics and traditions of his Bahamian home. He joins Loki to chat about growing up in the Bahamas, his entry into composition, and his research that shines a light on the lack of diversity in the world of film music. Support for TRILLOQUY comes from WDAV! Stefan ThompsonNDE: Impressions of a Near Death Experience ★ Support this podcast ★

Monica Ellis has blazed a trail in "classical" music for nearly 30 years as a founding member of the historic Imani Winds ensemble. She joins Loki to talk about her career, so far, her past and upcoming work with the Gateways Music Festival, and more! Loki offers a peek into his work as the new Executive Director of the American Composers Forum. Gateways Music Festival Monica EllisLiber Tango (arr. Jeff Scott)Afro BlueRecomposing America (presented by the American Composers Forum) ★ Support this podcast ★

Music at the Anthology (MATA) was founded in 1996 and has become the world’s most sought-after performance opportunity for adventurous emerging music artists experimenting with composition, multimedia, and collaborative performance art. Loki chats with MATA's Executive Director, Pauline Kim Harris, about the festival, her life, and shifting status quo in the field. Loki shares notes from his upcoming address at the League of American Orchestras Conference. Pauline Kim HarrisMATA Festival"Metamorphosis 2" by Philip Glass"Ambient Chaconne" by Pauline Kim HarrisLeague of American Orchestras Panel: Follow the Music for Systemic Change ★ Support this podcast ★

Amanda DeBoer Bartlett has reached beyond her training in opera to write and produce music from her own aesthetic experiences. Loki and Amanda chat about her upbringing in "classical", the notion of genre, and her new album, "Braided Together". Loki reflects on his time at the American Composers Orchestra as he begins his new journey with the American Composers Forum. Amanda DeBoer Bartlett/'Braided Together""Braided Together" (track)"Cherry Blossom"American Composers Forum ★ Support this podcast ★

Yuliana Lagunas is a rising star in the world of music as the concert mistress of the Inner-City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), and hopes to use the leadership skills she's cultivated to become a leading pediatrician! She joins Loki to talk about her journey, so far, why ICYOLA has been important for her overall development, and what this all means for her as a Latina in America today. Loki responds to recent cuts by the National Endowment for the Arts. Support from TRILLOQUY comes from WDAV-FM! The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los AngelesYuliana Lagunas featured in Teen Vogue"Huapango de Moncayo"Violin Concerto by Manuel Ponce (finale)Trump Cuts NEA Grants ★ Support this podcast ★

Curtis Stewart returns to TRILLOQUY to chat about his life since becoming Artistic Director of the American Composers Orchestra, his engagements with the Gateways Music Festival, and his newest work, "Seasons of Change". Loki speaks to what he thinks people should think about as it relates to current TV shows and movies that deal with group resistance. **Support for TRILLOQUY comes from WDAV-FM! Curtis Stewart"Krishna" (from Curtis Stewart's "of Love.")LOVE SHARK, by Curtis StewartGrassroots Organizing Wisdom Will Be Crucial With a Fascist in the White HouseThe Smithsonian PURGE: Trump Team Removes Artifacts of Black Resistance ★ Support this podcast ★

World-renowned musician, educator, performer, and composer, Damien Sneed, chats with Loki about his life, the power of existence, and the upcoming premiere of his new work, "Reflections of Resilience" by the Gateways Festival Orchestra. Loki speaks to dealing with feelings of "being left out" as Black communities grow within the field of classical music. Support for TRILLOQUY comes from WDAV-FM! Damien SneedGateways Music Festival"Call Him By His Name""Invitation: 'Come and Join the Army" ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki chats with Grammy-winning composer Jessie Montgomery about her trajectory as an artist, the role her parents and broader New York community played in her development, maintaining a sense of authenticity through notoriety, and lots more. Loki responds to recent lay offs at the Kennedy Center. Support for TRILLOQUY comes from Boulanger Initiative. TRILLOQUY is a proud partner of WDAV-FM. Jessie MontgomeryNew York Philharmonic performs Jessie MontgomeryJessie Montgomery: "Rounds" | Awadagin Pratt, Detroit Symphony OrchestraJessie Montgomery: "Hymn for Everyone" | Chicago Symphony OrchestraExclusive: Ex-Kennedy Center employee speaks on institution’s ‘toxicity’ after getting fired under Trump ★ Support this podcast ★