It takes a lot of talent and dedication to be a professional musician, and Sunday Baroque host Suzanne Bona invites some of the BEST to share their inspirations, challenges, and triumphs on her podcast SUNDAY BAROQUE CONVERSATIONS. These top-tier artists give a fascinating insider's look at what makes them tick, and what fuels their passion. Go to sundaybaroque.org for more information or subscribe to Sunday Baroque Conversations wherever you get your podcasts.
Seattle-based oboist Bhavani Kotha earned degrees from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and the University of Washington. She plays in numerous orchestras, and over time, she has experienced challenges and obstacles as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated environment. So she set out to change that, becoming the Founder and President of UNBOUND SYMPHONY, a professional women's orchestra that was officially launched in Seattle on March 8, 2026.
The group’s intent is to "… challenge longstanding inequities in the orchestral field, …[and] expand paid performance opportunities and artistic visibility for women in the orchestral workforce."
Unbound Symphony's first big project was a Women’s Orchestra Festival in July 2026, featuring music by female composers.
Suzanne spoke with Bhavani Kotha about how and why she created Unbound Symphony.
9 Oct 2026
Sunday Baroque Conversations 141: Connor Chee
Connor Chee is a Navajo pianist and composer known for combining his classical piano training with his Native American heritage. Chee made his Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 12 after winning a gold medal in the World Piano Competition. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, Chee's solo piano music is inspired by traditional Navajo chants and songs. Some of his recordings have been accompanied by music videos filmed on the reservation, directed by Navajo filmmaker Michael Etcitty Jr. Suzanne spoke with Connor Chee about his life in music, including his 5th album SANDPAINTINGS (released in 2026), a sixteen-movement solo piano cycle inspired by the artistic principles and structural design of traditional Diné (Navajo) sandpaintings.
31 Aug 2026
Sunday Baroque Conversations 140: Reynard Burns
The poet Robert Frost said, "I am not a teacher, but an awakener." Reynard Burns awakened the creativity and talent of countless students in his 34 years as a public school orchestra director on Long Island.
Mr. Burns also plays piano and bass, and is a prolific composer and arranger whose talents and interests span many musical genres. His compositions include music for orchestra, wind ensemble, concert band, jazz ensemble, and more, and have been performed throughout the United States and abroad.
Suzanne spoke with Reynard Burns about his life as a teacher and composer, as well as his post-retirement lectures and workshops that focus on classical music of composers of African descent.
Who has been a guest on Sunday Baroque Conversations
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Matthew Suttor
Caroline Shaw
Eric Milnes
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
24,902
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.3 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
45
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
84
Contact Sunday Baroque Conversations
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Sunday Baroque Conversations
Who hosts Sunday Baroque Conversations?
Suzanne host the show. Published by Suzanne Bona.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Sunday Baroque Conversations take guests?
The show does not typically feature guests, based on episode analyses.
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