The multi-hyphenate singer-composer-pedagogue David Sisco stops by the virtual recording studio to discuss his musical upbringing, how he got his start in composing, and to share the story behind his brand-new album, Infrastructure. After you enjoy our conversation with him, stream Infrastructure on Apple Music or Spotify to hear his brilliant music!
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Have a question you want answered by Laura and Sam on a future episode? Share your thoughts with a voice memo or written note through our new #TeamArtSong Mailbag!

Nominate a phenomenal artist in your local community for a shoutout in our Songsters in Your Neighborhood segment!
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Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

Laura and Sam have a moment for Brussels sprouts, the key ingredient in a perfect old fashioned, and debriefing on the 2026 Fellowship of the Song festival before welcoming fellow art song organization founder Michael Brofman. Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Art Song Society, Mike has been a trailblazer in curating and producing concerts to bring audiences together and experiencing the best song performers in the country, par excellence. Hear about the upcoming final concert in BASS's 2026 New Voices Festival, their inaugural young artist program, and more about BASS's history.
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Have a question you want answered by Laura and Sam on a future episode? Share your thoughts with a voice memo or written note through our new #TeamArtSong Mailbag!

Nominate a phenomenal artist in your local community for a shoutout in our Songsters in Your Neighborhood segment!
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Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

Get ready for this gold mine as we welcome the Dr. Louise Toppin to the pod. She shares her experiences and wisdom with a beautiful sense of purpose, including the importance of mentorship, how we can all engage with Spirituals and art song by Black composers more widely, and that one time she sang five different sets of ornaments for Joan Sutherland and felt very thankful for being extra prepared. As Director of both the George Shirley Vocal Competition and Singing Down the Barriers workshop at the University of Michigan, she knows firsthand how to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Dive in and get ready to learn!

Listen to Louise's latest album, Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts
Order Black Song: A Manifesto for Music and Justice
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Have a question you want answered by Laura and Sam on a future episode? Share your thoughts with a voice memo or written note through our new #TeamArtSong Mailbag!

Nominate a phenomenal artist in your local community for a shoutout in our Songsters in Your Neighborhood segment!
***
Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.