Thomas Lauderdale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Thomas-Lauderdale.jpg\")
Photo by Autumn de Wilde courtesy of Harvard Magazine<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhile celebrated as an extraordinary performer and bandleader globally, Thomas Lauderdale<\/strong> is an absolute icon among audiences of his Pacific Northwest hometown. Lauderdale has had a keen interest in politics and social justice since his teens and planned to run for political office after graduating (with honors) from Harvard University. Instead, in 1994, the musician founded the band, Pink Martini<\/strong>, to play events for progressive causes. Since its founding, Pink Martini has blossomed into a cultural staple integral to Portland\u2019s identity while staying true to Lauderdale\u2019s founding mission to participate in community interests actively. As a pianist and sought-after collaborator, Lauderdale is admired for his captivating stage presence and dazzling musicianship.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLast month, Lauderdale joined All Classical host Christa Wessel<\/strong> at the station to chat about his new collaboration with legendary Portland surf rock band Satan\u2019s Pilgrims<\/strong> called “Thomas Lauderdale Meets The Pilgrims.” Listen to Christa and Thomas\u2019s conversation here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nYannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Yannick](\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/yannick_nezet-seguin_.jpeg\")
Photo by George Etheredge courtesy of N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin\u2019s website<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCanadian-born and Grammy Award-winning conductor and pianist Yannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin<\/strong> has led the world\u2019s most acclaimed orchestras and opera houses, not to mention his seemingly endless collaborations with the most distinguished singers and musicians of our time. Currently, N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin serves as Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, Artistic and Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Orchestre M\u00e9tropolitain in his native Montreal. The conductor has become a beloved household name known for his fresh perspective, his dedication to the art form, and his charisma. In an industry where prominent arts leaders historically have rarely been openly gay, N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin is a beacon of hope for up-and-coming musicians who otherwise may have feared discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nEdna V\u00e1zquez<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Edna](\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Edna-Vazquez.jpg\")
Photo by Kale Chesney courtesy of V\u00e1zquez\u2019s Facebook page<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nEdna V\u00e1zquez<\/strong> is a multifaceted performing artist whose music seamlessly spans the genres of rock, folk, pop, and R&B. Her Mexican heritage plays a vital role in her identity as a performer whose roots are in mariachi music (she grew up in Jalisco, the heartland of the musical genre). Additionally, V\u00e1zquez regularly tours with Pink Martini as a featured soloist and even released an album, “B\u00e9same Mucho,” with the ensemble. She has become a household name for her powerful vocal performance and passion that permeates any listener’s heart. When V\u00e1zquez first came out as a lesbian as a teenager, she was culturally isolated. Ever since, the musician has been a fierce advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and spreading the message of love and cultural healing through music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nMarin Alsop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Marin-Alsop.jpg\")
Photo by Grant Leighton courtesy of Alsop\u2019s website<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAmerican conductor Marin Alsop<\/strong> is a trailblazer in classical music, known for modernizing the world\u2019s leading orchestras with her fresh, diverse programming. Among her list of inspiring accolades are an impressive collection of \u201cfirsts\u201d – the first woman to lead a major orchestra in the United States, South America, Austria, and Great Britain, the first (and only) conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, and the first female conductor of BBC\u2019s Last Night of the Proms, among many others. As an openly gay woman conductor, Alsop creates a sense of hope among aspiring conductors and musicians about the future of inclusivity and equity in the industry and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn breaking news, Alsop has just been appointed as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, in addition to continuing to serve as Chief Conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nHunter Noack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/acp-website.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Hunter-Noack.jpg\")
Photo courtesy of Noack\u2019s website<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nPianist Hunter Noack<\/strong> is a native Oregonian and All Classical\u2019s inaugural Artist in Residence whose love of the outdoors has manifested in the innovative musical experience IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild™. In the annual series, Noack and his 9-foot Steinway replace the concert hall with some of this country\u2019s most stunning natural backdrops, bringing his gorgeous interpretations of classical music to larger and more diverse audiences. Noack earned degrees from the University of Southern California and Guildhall School of Music & Drama and has toured nationally and internationally with his partner, Thomas Lauderdale\u2019s band, Pink Martini. In 2022, the musician released his debut album, \u201cIn a Landscape,\u201d which topped Billboard\u2019s classical music charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRevisit Noack\u2019s recent stunning collaboration with poet Kim Stafford on Sunday Brunch<\/em>: \u201cAll Classical Portland’s Poetry Project 2023: The Improv Sessions.\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nRecommended Reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To keep learning, check out these posts from All Classical\u2019s Arts Blog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Music Exploring Queer Experiences<\/a><\/strong> by Emma Riggle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Nine Fantastic LGBTQI+ Classical Music Groups in Oregon<\/a><\/strong> by Kelly Lantz<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In honor of Pride Month, and all year round, join All Classical in celebrating LGBTQI+ musical artists who provide so much joy, talent, and beauty to our collective soundscape. As we come together to enjoy the station’s catalog of diverse programming, let\u2019s get to know a few of the LGBTQI+ artists who regularly grace our … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":151,"featured_media":91448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4095,4909],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-91447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-contemporary","category-education"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-21 04:06:41","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/151"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91447"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91578,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91447\/revisions\/91578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
While celebrated as an extraordinary performer and bandleader globally, Thomas Lauderdale<\/strong> is an absolute icon among audiences of his Pacific Northwest hometown. Lauderdale has had a keen interest in politics and social justice since his teens and planned to run for political office after graduating (with honors) from Harvard University. Instead, in 1994, the musician founded the band, Pink Martini<\/strong>, to play events for progressive causes. Since its founding, Pink Martini has blossomed into a cultural staple integral to Portland\u2019s identity while staying true to Lauderdale\u2019s founding mission to participate in community interests actively. As a pianist and sought-after collaborator, Lauderdale is admired for his captivating stage presence and dazzling musicianship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last month, Lauderdale joined All Classical host Christa Wessel<\/strong> at the station to chat about his new collaboration with legendary Portland surf rock band Satan\u2019s Pilgrims<\/strong> called “Thomas Lauderdale Meets The Pilgrims.” Listen to Christa and Thomas\u2019s conversation here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canadian-born and Grammy Award-winning conductor and pianist Yannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin<\/strong> has led the world\u2019s most acclaimed orchestras and opera houses, not to mention his seemingly endless collaborations with the most distinguished singers and musicians of our time. Currently, N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin serves as Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, Artistic and Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Orchestre M\u00e9tropolitain in his native Montreal. The conductor has become a beloved household name known for his fresh perspective, his dedication to the art form, and his charisma. In an industry where prominent arts leaders historically have rarely been openly gay, N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin is a beacon of hope for up-and-coming musicians who otherwise may have feared discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edna V\u00e1zquez<\/strong> is a multifaceted performing artist whose music seamlessly spans the genres of rock, folk, pop, and R&B. Her Mexican heritage plays a vital role in her identity as a performer whose roots are in mariachi music (she grew up in Jalisco, the heartland of the musical genre). Additionally, V\u00e1zquez regularly tours with Pink Martini as a featured soloist and even released an album, “B\u00e9same Mucho,” with the ensemble. She has become a household name for her powerful vocal performance and passion that permeates any listener’s heart. When V\u00e1zquez first came out as a lesbian as a teenager, she was culturally isolated. Ever since, the musician has been a fierce advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and spreading the message of love and cultural healing through music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n American conductor Marin Alsop<\/strong> is a trailblazer in classical music, known for modernizing the world\u2019s leading orchestras with her fresh, diverse programming. Among her list of inspiring accolades are an impressive collection of \u201cfirsts\u201d – the first woman to lead a major orchestra in the United States, South America, Austria, and Great Britain, the first (and only) conductor to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, and the first female conductor of BBC\u2019s Last Night of the Proms, among many others. As an openly gay woman conductor, Alsop creates a sense of hope among aspiring conductors and musicians about the future of inclusivity and equity in the industry and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In breaking news, Alsop has just been appointed as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, in addition to continuing to serve as Chief Conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pianist Hunter Noack<\/strong> is a native Oregonian and All Classical\u2019s inaugural Artist in Residence whose love of the outdoors has manifested in the innovative musical experience IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild™. In the annual series, Noack and his 9-foot Steinway replace the concert hall with some of this country\u2019s most stunning natural backdrops, bringing his gorgeous interpretations of classical music to larger and more diverse audiences. Noack earned degrees from the University of Southern California and Guildhall School of Music & Drama and has toured nationally and internationally with his partner, Thomas Lauderdale\u2019s band, Pink Martini. In 2022, the musician released his debut album, \u201cIn a Landscape,\u201d which topped Billboard\u2019s classical music charts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Revisit Noack\u2019s recent stunning collaboration with poet Kim Stafford on Sunday Brunch<\/em>: \u201cAll Classical Portland’s Poetry Project 2023: The Improv Sessions.\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n To keep learning, check out these posts from All Classical\u2019s Arts Blog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In honor of Pride Month, and all year round, join All Classical in celebrating LGBTQI+ musical artists who provide so much joy, talent, and beauty to our collective soundscape. As we come together to enjoy the station’s catalog of diverse programming, let\u2019s get to know a few of the LGBTQI+ artists who regularly grace our … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":151,"featured_media":91448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4095,4909],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-91447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-contemporary","category-education"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-21 04:06:41","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/151"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91447"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91578,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91447\/revisions\/91578"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.allclassical.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Yannick N\u00e9zet-S\u00e9guin<\/h2>\n\n\n
Edna V\u00e1zquez<\/h2>\n\n\n
Marin Alsop<\/h2>\n\n\n
Hunter Noack<\/h2>\n\n\n
Recommended Reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n