Search Interviews

World-class Irish fiddler Liz Carroll talks with friend and bodhran player Mike Austin about the Irish music community in Chicago, Liz's ideas about learning music, and her time teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music in the 1980s....

One Small Step partners Richard "Wray" White (69) and Margaret "Peggy" Williams (71) discuss their backgrounds, their shared experience of parenthood, mental health, news media, and the challenge of connecting with others across political difference.

Mother and daughter Terry Hampton (61) and Tracy Fenske (40) discuss the history of the Avenue Theater as a space for community theatre and arts, and the legacy of their late friend and colleague Lisa Trueheart.

Spouses, Mark Kelly (68) and Carol Kelly (67), have a conversation about their lives together as a married couple as well as their respective careers and plans for the future.

Angeline "Angie" Presley (40) interviews her father, Leslie "Les" Harris (64), about how he stays positive in the face of the injury, infection, and loss.

Grandpa Jay Hansen interviews his son, Eric Hansen on the process for creating his dissertation and the follow-on implications

Friends and Chicago Tribune columnists Mary Schmich and Eric Zorn talk about their memories at the school, from taking lessons to co-founding the long-running holiday showcase and singalong, Songs of Good Cheer. This interview was recorded at the Old Town...

Dr. Fran Close (54) interviews her good friend and colleague Dr. C. Perry Brown (74) about his journey toward becoming an epidemiologist, his work as a researcher and college professor, and the relationships that both keep him grounded and make...

Friends, Carlton Wall (38) and Rufus Van Horn (53), share a conversation about their overlapping family history within their community. They also discuss their personal ancestors, who might not have identified as activists, but naturally supported racial integration through a...

Long-time friends and colleagues Madaha Kinsey-Lamb (73) and Jim Marley (80) discuss their work and friendship over the years.

Katherine Chon interviews her colleague, Rosie Gomez, about their work together in the federal government when new laws required changes in how the child welfare system needed to respond to human trafficking. Rosie reflects on her early influences growing up...

My friend Dick Hermann, an attorney, author, and columnist writes often about his passion for education reform. We talked about this.

Claire McCoy (58) sits down with her father, George Black (86), to ask him about his experiences as an actor and his career as a professor in the theater departments of various universities.

When a young Reggio "The Hoofer" McLaughlin first started tap dancing in Chicago, venues turned him away at the door, saying "we haven't booked a tap dancer since 1945!" In this conversation with his coworker Mareva Lindo, he talks about...

Karen Gasche (75) speaks with her opera teacher Marcia Aubineau (71) about her love of the opera. Together they share memories of their opera class, and reflect on the beauty and power of the art form.

Part 1 of 2. Judge Carl Marshall talks to Julissa (17) about his experiences as a juvenile justice judge, the law, justice and a more perfect union.

Brian C. Lorio, lecturer in the Speech, Communications, and Theater Arts Department at Borough of Manhattan Community College, reflects with (now) former student, Dafina Trepca, about her experiences in his public speaking class during the Spring 2023 semester as well...

Musician and historian Stephen Wade talks with his friend Matt Brown about Stephen's musical beginnings, studying banjo with his mentor Fleming Brown in the 1970s, and his reflections on the Old Town School then and now. Since learning to play...

One Small Step conversation partners Miles McCrimmon (58) and Jay McConville (58) discuss their careers and their concerns about their political parties. Miles speaks about his career in higher education and what he's learned from working in a community college....

Brian, a lecturer at Borough of Manhattan Community College, and Christian, a (now) former student, reflect upon their experiences in public speaking class as well as the college experience. Brian reflects with Christian about his growth as a person and...

Damiana "Lael" Francisca Ruth Uberuaga-Rodgers (35) interviews her mother, Damiana Louise Uberuaga (70), about her upbringing, Basque heritage, childhood, education, and private practice.

Jimmy T., as he is affectionately known by all, is one of the most familiar faces at the Old Town School. Now the head of the Guitar, Bass and Songwriting program, Jimmy's worked here since starting in the music store...

DeAnne Hart (78) and Fred Mindlin (64) talk about the founding and history of the Pajaro Valley Arts Council.

Tamar Laks (63) talks to her husband Jay Silverstein (68) about growing up in Brooklyn, NY, visiting the Brooklyn Museum, working for the Brooklyn Museum, and her thoughts on the Arts and how they've influenced her family.

My sister-in-law Ann O'Keefe is now retired from a mostly D.C.-based career, primarily with federal agencies and the Pentagon, where she was involved with the beginnings of Head Start as well as with the start of the Dept of the...