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Vernon Neal isn’t your classic classical music host.

He spent his childhood in Belize where his mom hosted a reggae and soca program at a local radio station. He joined 

 in 2022, after running a strength and conditioning gym and immersing himself in the sounds of hip-hop, jazz, pop and metal as a self-taught musician and audio engineer.

Now, he’s discovering a passion for classical music alongside his listeners. Last year, he took over as host for the 

 podcast from APM, a weekly, five-minute take on a Black composer, performer or other contributor to the world of classical music, past and present.

MPR News host Angela Davis goes behind the scenes with host Vernon Neal to talk about his experience hosting, Black artists and how to make classical music accessible to more people.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on:

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.  

Host

Author

Vernon Neal is a late-night weekend voice on YourClassical MPR and host of the Rhapsody in Black podcast. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Vernon about growing up in Belize and his unconventional path to loving — and sharing — classical music.

Vernon Neal on his unconventional path to YourClassical MPR host

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