Joe Payne

The group of Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) students sits in rows, waiting for their que, eyeing the swish of Callum Morris’ wrist. Morris, the current interim music director for PCPA, guides the piano accompanist as acting intern Chynna Walker stands, singing the part penned for the title character of the upcoming production of Peter Pan […]

In the second half of the Gloria movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Mass in C Major,” there’s a massive build and rising unison sung among the choir on the words, “quoniam tu solus sanctus,” or, “for thou alone are holy.” As soon as the cadence comes to a rest, the bass players fly out of […]

Musicians always need a place to play, to come together and share ideas. You see open mics, jam circles, and poetry readings where songwriters take turns performing their songs. Often, the musicians co-opt poetry readings, turning them into open mic nights. For Chad Hinkle, who has drummed with bands, played guitar, and sang songs at […]

For the musician who makes the leap from studying their instrument and playing in jam circles to actually starting a group and getting paid to perform, that milestone can be a formative one. But for local singer and banjo player Wendy Stockton, starting a band didn’t begin in high school for her, like for so […]

When it comes to American folk music, the voice is everything. From the operatic power of Joan Baez to the raspy Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, those voices are what helped launch obscure songs into the pop audiences’ ears. And when those artists gave voice to their own poetry, people listened. For the North Dakota-born folk singer-songwriter […]