Episodes

  • Stage, Sound & Story: Warren Wills, international jazz pianist and composer

    Stage, Sound & Story: Warren Wills, international jazz pianist and composer
    Oct 23 2026
    Stage, Sound & Story
    A Conversation with Warren WillsWhat happens when you stop being afraid of playing the wrong notes?In this episode, Karen Kim sits down with pianist, composer and musical director Warren Wills to explore creativity, musical confidence and the freedom to make music your own.From London’s West End to inclusive community theatre, Warren’s work brings together performance, storytelling and a belief in music’s ability to connect people across backgrounds and abilities.At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: don’t let the fear of getting it wrong stop you from creating. Sometimes, those “wrong” notes are where the discovery begins.An engaging conversation for musicians, educators and anyone interested in the power of music to inspire confidence, encourage expression and bring people together.

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    18 mins
  • When Music Builds Community with Derek Craig, South Africa

    When Music Builds Community with Derek Craig, South Africa
    Jul 17 2026
    When Music Builds Community

    What role does music play beyond the stage? Can a song strengthen communities, shape culture, tell a nation's story- or even change lives?
    In this episode of The Hello Music Show, Karen Kim sits down with South African creative leader, musician and music advocate Derek Craig, whose career has spanned award-winning advertising, artist management, music licensing and community development. From his early days performing alongside some of South Africa's finest musicians to helping artists find new audiences through film, television and advertising with Shoreline Songs,
    Derek shares a unique perspective on the intersection of creativity, business and human connection. Together, Karen and Derek explore South Africa's rich musical heritage, the extraordinary resilience of its artists, and why music remains one of the most powerful forces for bringing people together across cultures and generations. This is a conversation about much more than the music industry-it's about purpose, storytelling, creativity, and the communities that music helps build.
    Whether you're a musician, creative professional, or simply someone who believes in the power of music to unite people, this inspiring conversation reminds us that the greatest songs don't just entertain, they create connection.

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    40 mins
  • Daniel Todd - Reimagining Opera

    Daniel Todd - Reimagining Opera
    Jul 7 2026
    🎙️ Hello Music World Podcast | Reimagining Opera: Immersive Performance and the Future of the Art Form with Daniel Szesiong ToddWhat does the future of opera look like?In this episode of Hello Music World, Karen Kim is joined by acclaimed Australian tenor Daniel Szesiong Todd for a fascinating conversation about the evolving world of opera, immersive performance, and creating new ways for audiences to experience classical music.Daniel's career has taken him from studying music and law in Melbourne to performing more than thirty operatic roles with the Hamburg State Opera, working in China, and returning to Australia to contribute to one of the country's most innovative arts landscapes. Today, as an Artistic Associate with Forest Collective, he helps create award-winning immersive musical experiences that challenge traditional concert formats and invite audiences to become part of the performance.Together, Karen and Daniel explore:
    • How opera is evolving for contemporary audiences
    • The rise of immersive and site-specific performance
    • Innovation in storytelling and music theatre
    • Lessons from an international career spanning Europe, Asia and Australia
    • Advice for young singers and emerging arts professionals
    • Why collaboration is central to the future of the performing arts
    Daniel also shares insights into his upcoming role in Liza Lim's The Oresteia, presented by Sydney Chamber Opera and the ELISION Ensemble. With a libretto adapted by Barrie Kosky, this powerful one-hour reimagining of the classic Greek tragedy returns in a rare revival at Carriageworks from 24–31 July 2026.Whether you're an opera lover, musician, arts professional, educator or simply curious about how classical music continues to reinvent itself, this conversation offers an inspiring glimpse into the future of the art form.About Daniel Szesiong ToddDaniel Szesiong Todd is an acclaimed Australian tenor whose career spans opera, education and artistic leadership. He has performed more than thirty roles with the Hamburg State Opera, worked professionally across Europe, Asia and Australia, and is now an Artistic Associate with Forest Collective, where he collaborates on immersive, interdisciplinary performances that are reshaping how audiences engage with classical music.Upcoming PerformanceThe Oresteia
    📍 Carriageworks, Sydney
    📅 24–31 July 2026 Sydney Chamber Opera and the ELISION Ensemble present a rare revival of Liza Lim's landmark 1993 opera The Oresteia. Directed by Imara Savage with a libretto adapted by Barrie Kosky, this compelling one-hour work breathes new life into one of the great Greek tragedies.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Hello Music World, leave a review, and share it with fellow music lovers.

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    23 mins
  • Sean Kim- Beyond the Soloist: Collaboration, Competition and Building a Classical Music Career

    Sean Kim- Beyond the Soloist: Collaboration, Competition and Building a Classical Music Career
    Jul 1 2026
    Beyond the Soloist: Collaboration, Competition and Building a Classical Music Career

    In this episode of Hello Music World, Karen Kim sits down with Korean-Australian pianist Sean Kim to explore his journey from the Melbourne Conservatorium to becoming one of Australia's exciting emerging collaborative pianists. Together they discuss performance, accompaniment, the realities of building a sustainable music career, and the importance of continually refining your craft.A First-Class Honours graduate of the University of Melbourne, Sean has studied with leading artists including Professor Ian Holtham, Konstantin Shamray and Andreas Boyde. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards—including the 2025 Theme & Variations Foundation Award and First Prize (Best Accompanist) at the 2026 National Liederfest—Sean shares valuable insights into collaboration, artistic growth and what it takes to thrive as a modern musician.

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    26 mins
  • Dr David Kram - Why Opera Still Matters: Careers, Creativity and BrünnhAilde

    Dr David Kram - Why Opera Still Matters: Careers, Creativity and BrünnhAilde
    Jun 16 2026
    Why does opera still matter in the age of AI, streaming, and shrinking attention spans?In this episode of The Hello Music Show, Karen Kim sits down with David Kram AM-arts leader, producer, educator, and champion of Australian opera-to explore the enduring power of storytelling, creativity, and the arts.Together they discuss why opera continues to captivate audiences centuries after its creation, the role of storytelling in business and society, and how creative thinking remains one of the most valuable human skills in an increasingly technological world.The conversation also delves into BrunnhAilde, a groundbreaking new project that combines Wagner's epic Ring Cycle with generative AI animation and live performance, raising fascinating questions about the future of opera, technology, and artistic innovation.Whether you're an opera lover, entrepreneur, educator, artist, or simply curious about how creativity shapes our lives, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at why opera-and great storytelling-still matter.
    Topics include:
    • Why opera remains relevant today
    • Storytelling, leadership, and human connection
    • Careers in the arts and creative industries
    • The future of creativity in the age of AI
    • BrunnhAilde and the evolution of opera
    • Building sustainable cultural organisations
    Tune in for an inspiring conversation about art, innovation, and what it means to be human.

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    58 mins
  • The Art of Musical Comedy with Stephen Hall

    The Art of Musical Comedy with Stephen Hall
    Jun 4 2026
    On this episode we're delighted to welcome one of Australia's most creative and multi-talented storytellers, Stephen Hall. Many Australians know Stephen from his brilliant performances across 15 seasons of Shaun Micallef's Mad As Hell, where he brought a gallery of unforgettable characters to life. But his career extends far beyond television. He is an accomplished actor, comedy writer, producer, author, voice artist, radio presenter and creator of some of Australia's most inventive one-man theatre productions. Stephen has starred in productions ranging from Monty Python's Spamalot to Fawlty Towers, where he was personally selected by British comedy legend John Cleese to play the iconic role of Basil Fawlty. For music lovers, Stephen's creative journey has recently taken an exciting turn. He has developed a passion for writing parody comedy songs, immersing himself in the craft of lyric writing, song structure, and musical comedy with plans for a full album of original parody material. Stephen's also the host of Wednesday Breakfast on 88.3 Southern FM, where he combines music, comedy, conversation and community engagement, and regularly shines a spotlight on emerging Australian artists.

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    48 mins
  • D'Arcy Spiller, Singer Songwriter-Finding Your Voice in a Noisy World

    D'Arcy Spiller, Singer Songwriter-Finding Your Voice in a Noisy World
    Jun 2 2026
    D’Arcy Spiller is an emerging Australian singer-songwriter known for her heartfelt storytelling, soulful vocals, and authentic approach to songwriting. Blending elements of folk, pop, and indie music, D’Arcy creates songs that explore themes of connection, self-discovery, and the human experience. Through her engaging performances and honest lyricism, she has built a growing audience drawn to her warmth, creativity, and distinctive artistic voice. Passionate about using music as a means of expression and connection, D’Arcy continues to develop her craft while sharing her unique perspective with listeners across Australia and beyond.

    @darcyspiller

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    42 mins
  • Stephen Hunt - Music in the Health Industry

    Stephen Hunt - Music in the Health Industry
    Sep 4 2025
    Today’s conversation features Stephen Hunt, COO and co-founder of Music Health, a company harnessing the power of personalised music to improve quality of life and support cognitive wellbeing. Stephen unpacks the evidence behind music and memory, what “the right song at the right moment” actually means, and how thoughtful product design can empower families, carers, and clinicians—especially in dementia care. We talk impact vs. hype in digital health, privacy and ethics, building with clinicians, and the everyday wins that keep the mission moving. You’ll leave with practical ideas for using music intentionally at home or in care settings, plus a hopeful look at where music-led therapies are headed next.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hello-music-world-podcast--5347650/support.
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    48 mins