Meet Class Notes Artist: Siama's Congo Roots

Minnesota musician, author and educator Djenane Saint Juste aims to share the joy and history of her native country, Haiti, through storytelling. Her new book and accompanying CD, 'The Mermaid and the Whale,' is a musical journey through a traditional folk song.

University of Minnesota professor Peter Mercer-Taylor is driven to bring early-American hymns back to life as part of a project fueled by a new website and book. And he's looking for choirs to contribute their vocal talents to help the cause.

What happens when a magical girl comes face to face with a cunning tiger in her quiet village? Find out in the Hmong folk tale 'Yer and the Tiger,' the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring traditional music, narration by Ka Vang and illustrations by Xee Reiter.

'HERbeat' at the Ordway brings together top female drummers from around the world.

Composer Anat Spiegel's journey to Minnesota has been a long one, from her childhood in Israel to working in Amsterdam, but her Jewish heritage has always been a part of it. Her work 'My Four Mothers' tells the story of women in her life who clarified the significance of the Holocaust for her. It will premiere Friday as part of the Cedar Commissions at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.

Tensae Fayise is one of six Minnesota-based composers presenting new work this year as part of the Cedar Commissions at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. Learn more about her instrument, the krar, and her work 'Ye Terrarou Tenfash' ('The Breath of the Mountain'), which traces back to her heritage in Ethiopia.

Sprig of That is an ensemble that performs with Classical MPR's Class Notes Concerts. The group's mix of standards and originals is as unique as its instrumentation. Listen as they join Steve Staruch for this week's Regional Spotlight.

A University of Minnesota professor, Peter Mercer-Taylor, has created a digital and recording project to explore how hymns brought classical music to the United States. Listen to performances of some of these early-American works while looking at the sheet music!

The Folk, Fiddle & Friends Festival at the Cedar Cultural Center this Thursday, Jan. 16, brings together three groups that are bending the definition of "classical" music.

The Chmielewski Funtime Band has been a polka staple for 137 years, and they're still going strong. The Minnesota-based band continues building on its Polish-American musical roots.