S1.E15 | Michael Lavine: Preserving Broadway’s Musical Treasures
07/12/24 • 36 min
In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan sits down with Michael Lavine, a celebrated music director, performance coach, sheet music expert, and Broadway archivist. With a career spanning decades, Michael has worked with legends like Stephen Sondheim, John Kander, Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Craig Carnelia, Hugh Martin, and Sheldon Harnick.
Michael shares how his passion for collecting sheet music led him to amass one of the world’s largest private collections—a treasure trove of Broadway history. He also reflects on his global experiences teaching musical theater, offering insights into how the art form resonates across cultures.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Michael built one of the largest private sheet music collections
✅ The importance of preserving Broadway’s musical history
✅ Behind-the-scenes stories from working with Broadway legends
✅ How musical theater connects cultures around the world
✅ The evolution of music direction, coaching, and performance
About Michael Lavine:
Michael Lavine is a renowned music director, conductor, performance coach, and archivist, known for his deep knowledge of Broadway history and sheet music preservation. He has worked with theater icons worldwide, helping performers refine their craft and bringing forgotten musical treasures back to life.
Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768
KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.
Listen and Connect:
- Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
- Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
- Instagram: @Keybard_IG
- Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast
In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan sits down with Michael Lavine, a celebrated music director, performance coach, sheet music expert, and Broadway archivist. With a career spanning decades, Michael has worked with legends like Stephen Sondheim, John Kander, Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Craig Carnelia, Hugh Martin, and Sheldon Harnick.
Michael shares how his passion for collecting sheet music led him to amass one of the world’s largest private collections—a treasure trove of Broadway history. He also reflects on his global experiences teaching musical theater, offering insights into how the art form resonates across cultures.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Michael built one of the largest private sheet music collections
✅ The importance of preserving Broadway’s musical history
✅ Behind-the-scenes stories from working with Broadway legends
✅ How musical theater connects cultures around the world
✅ The evolution of music direction, coaching, and performance
About Michael Lavine:
Michael Lavine is a renowned music director, conductor, performance coach, and archivist, known for his deep knowledge of Broadway history and sheet music preservation. He has worked with theater icons worldwide, helping performers refine their craft and bringing forgotten musical treasures back to life.
Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768
KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.
Listen and Connect:
- Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
- Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
- Instagram: @Keybard_IG
- Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast
Previous Episode
S1.E14 | Helynsia Brown: Driving Equity and Innovation in Technology
Helynsia Brown: Leading with Purpose in Tech and Social Justice
In this episode of KeyBARD, host Thembi Duncan speaks with Helynsia Brown, a technology executive whose career spans the U.S. Air Force, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Women Donors Network.
With a deep commitment to service, purpose, and social justice, Helynsia shares how technology can drive equity and change. From her early days in the military to leading major cultural institutions, she provides insights into the intersection of tech, leadership, and advocacy.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Helynsia’s military background shaped her tech career
✅ The role of technology in preserving cultural history
✅ How women and people of color are reshaping the tech industry
✅ Why social justice and purpose matter in leadership
✅ The impact of technology on philanthropy and advocacy
About Helynsia Brown:
Helynsia Brown is a technology executive and advocate with a career dedicated to leveraging tech for social good. She has led digital initiatives at major institutions and currently works with the Women Donors Network, driving innovation, equity, and systemic change.
Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768
KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.
Listen and Connect:
- Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
- Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
- Instagram: @Keybard_IG
- Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast
Next Episode
S1.E16 | W.Ellington Felton: Building a Legacy of Originality and Artistic Innovation
S1. E16.
In this episode of KeyBARD, singer, poet, actor, and emcee W.Ellington Felton opens up about his artistic journey, creative process, and love for teaching. He talks with host Thembi Duncan about his vision for turning 50, the different eras of his work, and what it means to truly be free.
Introspective. Loquacious. Giving. Insightful. Passionate. Honest. Transparent. Artist. W.Ellington Felton has long been described as a renaissance man and a ranter of his own thoughts, but if you talk to him or see him perform, it may all make sense.
He is a DC native and son of jazz pianist Hilton C. Felton Jr., and heavily influenced by his surroundings. Growing up in Washington, DC Wes was introduced to the Fine Arts early on. Equipped at The School Without Walls with a backpack of notebooks filled with poems and rhymes, he hit the pavement running quickly making a name for himself on BET’s “Teen Summit”. He went on to study acting at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. After returning from college he went on to teach and act for Arena Stage’s “Living Stage Theatre Company” while pursuing his music career.
In 2000 he formed the Hip Hop Soul Group “The Crossrhodes” with R&B Crooner Raheem Devaughn. He has collaborated and shared the stage with artists like Chris Rock, Meshell N’Degeocello, Dionne Farris, Eric Roberson, Common, Dave Chappelle and many more. Still a DC Resident and Single Father he has taught Oratory workshops part-time for Ford’s Theatre’s Education Department .
With a featured role in the film “Love Dot Com” on Prime and roles in the upcoming film “The Empty Walls” and ALLBLK Network’s Season 2 of “Hush” these are just reminders that passion, training and hard work pays off.
Want to be a guest on KeyBARD? Send Thembi a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1740803399472257afce75768
KeyBARD is produced, written, and hosted by Thembi Duncan.
Theme music by Sycho Sid.
Listen and Connect:
- Spotify: Follow, Rate, and Share
- Apple Podcasts: Subscribe, Review, and Rate
- Instagram: @Keybard_IG
- Facebook: The KeyBARD Podcast
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