CC Logo A Public Service of USC
Schedule
HostsWays to Give
Donate
Loading profile
HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsEventsOn DemandOur StoryOur TeamWays to Give Become a Sponsor
How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media

CC Logo White Horizontal A Public Service of USC

Download Our Mobile App

Google Play Icon

About

HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsOn DemandOur StoryOur Team

Community

EventsWays to Give Become a SponsorPressDiversity StatementCareersKUSC EEO ReportKDFC EEO ReportDigital Accessibility

Help

How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media

Sweepstakes RulesKUSC Local Public FilesKDFC Local Public FilesPrivacy PolicyCode of Integrity

©2026 Classical California

Violin Image

Open Ears

Teresa-Carreno-9x6-1.png

How Teresa Carreño Inspired Generations of Pianists, Composers, and Conductors Worldwide

Explore the life and legacy of Teresa Carreño, a Venezuelan virtuoso known as "La Valquiria" and "La Leona del piano". Discover her impact on music as a pianist, soprano, composer, and conductor.

09/12/2026
Margaret-Bonds-9x6.jpg

Open Ears: The Endlessly Unfolding Story of Margaret Bonds

Explore the underappreciated life and work of Margaret Bonds, a pioneering Black composer and pianist, whose music is still being discovered 46 years after her death.

06/08/2026
Marian-Anderson-9x6-1.jpg

Open Ears: Get to Know the Incredible Story of Marian Anderson

Explore the inspiring journey of Marian Anderson, a trailblazing African American singer who overcame racial barriers to perform at the White House and Metropolitan Opera.

03/02/2026
Calvin-Simons-PC-Barbara-Toby-Stack-1.jpg

Open Ears: The Groundbreaking, All-Too-Brief Life of Calvin Simmons

"Discover the life and legacy of Calvin Simmons, the first African American to lead a major American orchestra, whose contributions to classical music are at risk of being forgotten."

02/27/2026
Rudolph-Dunbar-crop.jpg

Open Ears: The Trailblazing Journey of Rudolph Dunbar

Explore the life of Rudolph Dunbar, the first Black man to conduct the Berlin and London Philharmonics, his fight for racial equality, and his mysterious career decline.

02/25/2026
Undine-Smith-Moore-v4-e1522350812428.jpg

Open Ears: Get to Know “the Dean of Black Women Composers”.

Explore the life of Undine Smith Moore, a significant 20th-century composer and teacher of spirituals, known as "the Dean of Black Women Composers".

02/19/2026
Saint-George_DEon_Robineau-9x6-1.png

How Does One of the Most Famous Composers of the Late 1700s Just Disappear from History?

Explore the life of Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a prominent 18th-century musician, fencer, and revolutionary, whose legacy was nearly lost to history.

02/18/2026

RELATED TOPICS

Women in ClassicalBlack PerformersLatin American ComposersBlack ComposersPop Culture

MORE TO DISCOVER

mariachi-wikimedia-16x9

Bridging Traditions: Mariachi and Classical Music

The intersection of Mexican popular music and Classical traditions

09/23/2026
Lara Host Column

How Classical, Jazz, and Mexican Musical Traditions Come Together in an Innovative New Opera

Join Classical California host and Resident Artist Lara Downes for a conversation wtih composer Paola Prestini and vocalist and composer Magos Herrera.

09/23/2026
teresa-carreno-cameo-6x9-1.webp

10 Composers From Across Latin America We’re Celebrating This Month!

Explore the rich heritage of Hispanic music through these 10 influential composers, from Teresa Carreño to Gabriela Ortiz.

09/18/2026
GettyImages-1403195867.jpg

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Classical California | September 15 – October 15

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Classical California, exploring the impact of Latin American composers on classical music. Enjoy free streams, blogs, and videos all month long.

09/15/2026
Rachmaninoff + Fast Cars main (288 x 250 px)

Rachmaninoff + Fast Cars

Classical California's Brian Lauritzen lives vicariously through Rachmaninoff's obsession of driving fast cars fast.

09/09/2026
Classical-California-Summer-oc-gonzalez-A-11N8ItHZo-unsplash-9x6-1.jpg

Deep Cuts for a Classical Summer

Explore lesser-known classical music pieces that celebrate summer, from composers like Copland, Zaimont, Delius, Mazzoli, Melartin, Prokofiev, Beach, Webern, and Still.

08/10/2026