>>> HELLO EVERYONE.

HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP.

THE LATEST FROM GAZA IS THE DEATH TOLL REACHES A MILESTONE IN MY DAUGHTER IS STILL BEING HELD HOSTAGE.BECOMING HELD HOSTAGE.BECOMING % MORE RADICAL?

-- PERMITS LESSONS TO SAME SEX COUPLES.

THEN, THE VOICE OF A GENERATION.

RENEE FLEMING JOINS MICHELLE AS SHE IS HONORED AT THE KENNEDY CENTER.

AND >>> CHRISTIANA IS SERENADED BY ONE OF THE WORLDS MOST POPULAR PIANOS.

HOW MUSIC CAN BE A BRIDGE IN A FRACTURED WORLD.

>>> THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ANDERSON FAMILY AND DELIMONT.

CANDACE, THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF LAYLA AND MICKEY STRAUSS.

/.

CHARLES ROSENBLUM.

COMMITTED TO BRIDGING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN COMMUNITIES.

BARBARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THESE OF FUNDERS AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

FROM NEW YORK CITY.

AFTER FRANTIC NEGOTIATIONS, THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL PASSED -- BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS CALLING FOR HUMANITARIAN PAUSES IN FIGHTING AS WELL AS UNHINDERED HUMANITARIAN ACCESS.

THE HOLY LAND IS BEING TORN ASUNDER UNDER A BLOODY CONFLICT.

20,000 PALESTINIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE OCTOBER 7 ACCORDING TO THE PALESTINIAN HEALTH MINISTRY.

THOSE LEFT ALIVE ARE DEALING WITH INJURIES, DISEASE, AND STARVATION AS THE INFRASTRUCTURE CRUMBLES AROUND THEM.

ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION THERE ARE NO FUNCTIONING HOSPITALS LEFT IN GAZA.

HERE IS WHAT PALESTINIANS SAY THEY ARE FACING ON THE GROUND.

>> THERE IS NOWHERE SAFE IN THE GAZA STRIP.

MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS GONE.

>> I WAS AT THE HOUSE OF MY AUNTS AND WE WERE PLAYING AND THEN WE SAW A BIG AND FAST AIRPLANE FLYING OVER.

STONES FELL ON ME.

>> IT IS JUST TRAGEDY.

IN ISRAEL, THE FAMILY SPENT HANUKKAH MOURNING THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES AFTER A BRUTAL ATTACK ON OCTOBER 7.

IT THAT LEFT AROUND 1200 PEOPLE DEAD.

TODAY THAT HAS BEEN ANOTHER DEVASTATING BLOW.

THE FAMILY OF -- ANNOUNCED THAT THE 73-YEAR-OLD GRANDFATHER DIED WHILE IN CAPTIVITY.

I SPOKE WITH THE DOCTOR WHO SAID THAT HIS DAUGHTER IS HELD HOSTAGE.

HER CAPTURE WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA AND THE FOOTAGES UPSETTING TO WANT.

AND THIS IS WHY SHE WANTS THE WORLD TO SEE IT.

>> MY VOICE MIGHT BE SOFT BUT, THE SCREAM IS INSIDE ME.

I DON'T HEAR THE VOICES OF THE WORLD LOUD ENOUGH RESPONDING TO THE SCREEN.

MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED BY HAMAS.

>> IT IS ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE IMAGES.

A 19-YEAR-OLD DRAGON FROM THE BACK OF A -- BY HAMAS.

HER ANKLES CUT.

>> FOR HER, TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

SHE IS VULNERABLE TO WHATEVER IS HAPPENING THERE AND WHAT HAS BEEN INFLICTED UPON HER.

>> THE THOUGHT OF WHAT ELSE COULD BE -- HAS LED -- TO TRAVEL TO NEW YORK.

SHE IS SO HOPING TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON ORGANIZATIONS THAT WAITED NEARLY MONTHS TO -- DESPITE MOUNTING EVIDENCE.

>> DO YOU FEEL LET DOWN BY THESE ORGANIZATIONS?

>> NOT ONLY THE MORAL LAPSE AND NOT SPEAKING OUT.

DO YOU THINK THAT BY WAITING SO LONG THEY --?

>> IT WAS NOT TIMELY AND IT WAS NOT ENOUGH.

TIME IS PASSING BY AND SHE IS NOT OUT.

I WANT TO STAY HOME.

BY THE DOOR AND BY THE PHONE.

THAT IS ALL I WANT.

I THINK I THINK THE UNITED STATES HAS THE MOST POWER HERE.

>> LIKE MANY OTHER FAMILIES OF HOSTAGES, DASHES DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT THEY VIEW AS AN INEFFECTIVE ROLE FOR THE RED CROSS.

WHILE IT ALLEGING -- FAMILIES BELIEVE THAT MORE AGGRESSIVE STATEMENTS LIKE THIS ONE FROM THE ICRC PRESIDENT LAST WEEK DEMANDING ACCESS AND THE RELEASE OF HOSTAGES COULD HAVE PUT MORE PRESSURE ON HAMAS.

>> I HAVE MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF RED CROSS AND I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A COMPLEXITY WITH HOW THEY WORK AND HOW THEY ACHIEVE THEIR MISSION.

THEY DON'T HAVE COOPERATION ON THE OTHER SIDE.

SO, MAYBE SOMEONE CAN.

IT MAY BE THE UN SHOULD COME OUT AND SAY WHY ICRC CAN'T DO THEIR ASSIGNMENT .

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CAN DO THAT?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

>> THE DAY BEFORE HER TRIP TO NEW YORK CAME THE SHOCKING NEWS.

SOLDIERS HAD MISTAKENLY KILLED THREE HOSTAGES WHO HAD ESCAPED AND BEEN ABANDONED BY THEIR CAPTORS.

>> THE FEAR THAT I FEEL ALL OF THE TIME GOT WORSE.

WANT TO HEAR THIS, IT BROKE MY HEART.

SOME OF THOSE HOSTAGES, THAT WERE KILLED, IT WAS HORRIBLE.

>> EVERYONE CAN OPTIMIZE THE VIDEO.

>> I KNOW IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THAT TO BE SHOWN.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY?

>> IT IS BEYOND TO UPSETTING.

I THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER?

THIS DOES NOT REPRESENT ANYTHING ABOUT HER.

EXCEPT THE CRUELTY OF THOSE MOMENTS.

THE MOMENT WHERE, OUR LIVES JUST STOPPED AND FROZE.

IT HAS BEEN OCTOBER 7 EVER SINCE.

>> A YOUNG, DETERMINED, FUN- LOVING GIRL.

WHO SOUGHT PEACE WITH HER POST ANY AND NEIGHBORS AND WHO LOVES PINK.

SPECIFICALLY THE SONG, "COVER ME IN SUNSHINE.

FOOTBALL >> I LISTENED TO IT ALL THE TIME AND I SING IT TO HER.

THE WORLD HAS BEEN SPINNING SINCE THE BEGINNING AND THEY TRIED TO BELIEVE THAT MYSELF.

>> IT VERY DIFFICULT TO WATCH.

THIS WEEK POPE FRANCIS SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST PRAYING FOR PEACE.

CLAIMING UNARMED CIVILIANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GUNFIRE.

THE PONTIFF CONTINUES TO MAKE WAVES.

PRIESTS ARE BLESSINGS SAME-SEX COUPLES FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THAT IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR LGBTQ CATHOLICS.

IT IS NO DOUBT WELCOME TO REVEREND JAMES MORTON.

HE HAS MET FREQUENTLY WITH THE POPE.

REVEREND MARTIN JOINS US NOW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO GET TO THE TRAGEDY UNFOLDING IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

AND COMMENTS ABOUT THAT IN JUST A MOMENT.

REALLY, LANDMARK NEWS.

AND, THE VIEW FROM THE PROBE, THE VATICAN APPROVED -- WHO ADMINISTER BLESSINGS.

WE SHOULD NOTE THAT THIS CAVEAT, AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT PART OF A RITUAL, NOT GIVING CONTEXT TO WEDDINGS OR UNIONS.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT.

CAN YOU TELL US WHY?

>> IT IS A WAY OF RECOGNIZING THAT SAME-SEX COUPLES ARE PART OF THE CHURCH.

IT HAS BEEN LONGED FOR FOR -- BY MANY CATHOLICS.

FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THINK, THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IS A PART OF THE CHURCH.

BUT WHEN THEY FACTOR IN THEIR FELLOW PARISHIONERS WHO LOVE THEM, IT IS A BIG PART OF THE CHURCH.

IT IS A BIG STEP FORWARD.

>> NOW, I'M NOT SAYING THAT YOU SHOULD TAKE OUT OF THE CREDIT FOR THIS BUT, THESE ARE PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS.

CAN YOU GIVE US A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU DISCUSS THAT HELPED LEAD TO THIS LANDMARK DECISION.

HOW HAVE THESE VIEWS DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?

>> YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT THE NEEDS OF LGBTQ PEOPLE AND THEIR PLIGHT IN THE CHURCH.

SOMETIMES WE TALK ABOUT LGBTQ PEOPLE THAT ARE PROSECUTED IN TERMS OF VIOLENCE, IN 10 COUNTRIES, IT IS A CAPITAL EVENT THAT YOU CAN BE EXECUTED.

LIKE ANYBODY, HE HAS BEEN LISTENING TO THE EXPERIENCES OF LGBTQ PEOPLE IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

HE HAS GOTTEN TO KNOW THEM AND HE KNOWS HOW TO MINISTER TO PEOPLE THAT FOLLOW HIM.

THIS IS THE END RESULT OF THAT LISTENING.

BUT ALSO REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE PASTORAL NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND.

IT THIS IS PART OF HIS FLOCK AND PART OF HIS FLOCK THAT HE WANTS TO WELCOME AND HELP THEM FEEL INCLUDED.

>> PERHAPS HIS COMMENTS AND HIS PUBLIC STATEMENTS AND SUPPORT LEANING TOWARDS THIS DECISION HAVE BEEN EVOLVING OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

IT GOES BEYOND THIS PUBLIC STATEMENT.

IT IS SOMETHING HE HIT HE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR AT LEAST A DECADE.

WHAT CAME ACROSS AS A SYMPATHETIC VIEW TO THE ARGUMENTS THAT YOU WERE MAKING.

I WOULD LIKE TO PLAY THE FOLLOWING ABOUT HOW HE VIEWS CATHOLIC PRIEST.

>> IF A PERSON IS GAY AND EXCEPT THE LORD AND HAS GOODWILL, WHO AM I TO JUDGE?

>> WHEN YOU HEAR HIM SAY THAT IN 2013, DID YOU GET A SENSE THAT WAS AN OPENING FOR GETTING US TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HIS MOST FAMOUS WORDS, WHO AM I TO JUDGE.

HE USE THE WORDS, SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, THERE WERE COMMENTS ABOUT PARENTS NOT KICKING PEOPLE -- GAY PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOUSE AND THE NEED FOR THE CHURCH TO RECOGNIZE THOSE THAT ARE GAY.

IT HAS BEEN A PRAGUE PROCESS FOR THEM.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE EXPECTED THE SAME-SEX COUPLE BLESSING APPROVAL.

IT TO COME SO QUICKLY.

HE IS ALSO SOMEONE THAT IS GETTING OLDER AND THERE IS A NEW PERSON THAT IS --.

ALL OF THESE THINGS CAME TOGETHER.

>> NOT ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, THEIR AUTHORITY, AGREE WITH THIS STEP.

A COUPLE OF BISHOP CONFERENCES CAME OUT AGAINST THIS DOCUMENT AND THEY SAY IT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD NOT ENFORCE.

DID THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> I WAS NOT SURPRISED THERE WAS SO MUCH PUSHBACK.

THERE WAS A LOT OF PUSHBACK IN THIS ISSUE AND I THINK WHAT SURPRISES ME IS THAT IT COMES OUT IN OFFICIAL STATEMENTS FROM BISHOP CONFERENCES, ALLOWING SEVERAL PLACES, -- THAT IS PRETTY UNIQUE TO COME OUT AND SAY WE WILL NOT IMPLEMENT THE PAPAL DIRECT.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT POPE FRANCIS AND -- WILL DO ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS PRETTY UNIQUE SO THAT DID SURPRISE ME.

>> IT IS PUBLIC AND IT IS REALLY PUTTING A MARKER DOWN.

HOW SHOULD THE VATICAN RESPOND?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I AM JUST GLAD I AM NOT THE POPE.

I DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY WILL RESPOND OR HOW THEY SHOULD RESPOND.

HOPEFULLY SPEAKING WITH THE BISHOP PERSONALLY AND THE CONFERENCES -- IT IS A PRETTY STRONG REACTION.

AS YOU CAN SEE.

IT REALLY SPEAKS THE LEVEL OF SUSPICION ABOUT LGBTQ PEOPLE AND PARTICULARLY IN MY EXPERIENCE, IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, THAT IS WHERE THE MOST PUSHBACK IS COMING FROM.

HELP THEM GET TO KNOW LGBTQ CATHOLICS.

THAT IS REALLY WHAT THE CHANGES.

IT IS A NOT ABOUT A DEBATES.

IT IS ABOUT LISTENING TO THEIR STORIES AND WHO THEY ARE AND THEIR EXPERIENCES OF GOD AND THE CHURCH.

>> THIS IS A DELICATE LINE FOR THE POPE TO WALK.

IT COMES AFTER HIS PREDECESSOR HAS ALREADY PASSED AWAY AND HIM NOT WANTING TO DO ANYTHING TOO EARTH SHATTERING.

HE HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN WHEN IT COMES TO ADDRESSING IT TAKING ACTION AGAINST SOME OF HIS HE WILL LOSE SOME OF HIS -- INCLUDING A 5000 SQUARE-FOOT APARTMENT.

HE ALSO REMOVED A BISHOP IN TEXAS.

TALK ABOUT THE DECISION.

AND THE THOUGHT PROCESS THAT GOES ON BEFORE THE POPE MAKES STUNNING MOVES.

>> THOSE ARE PRETTY DRAMATIC MOVES.

SOMETHING TO POINT OUT TO VIEWERS AND LISTENERS, HE HAS BEEN VERY PATIENT ABOUT HIS.

BOTH CARDINAL BURKE AND BISHOP STRICKLAND HAVE BEEN OUTSPOKEN CRITICS OF THE POPE FOR YEARS.

I THINK THIS IS ACCURATE UNDER JOHN PAUL.

I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOLERATED.

I THINK THE POPE WAS REACHING THE END OF HIS TETHER.

TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT HE TOOK.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IS, CARDINALS ARE NOT NAMED AND APPOINTED.

IT THEY DO TAKE AN OATH OF OBEDIENCE TO THEM THOUGH.

INSTEAD OF THIS PUBLIC DISSENT FROM SOMEBODY THAT YOU PLANNED TO SUPPORT, THIS IS REALLY NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE IGNORED.

>> AT LET'S GO DOWN TO THE ISRAEL AND GAZA WAR.

THIS IS A CHRISTMAS LIKE KNOW WHETHER.

THERE WILL BE NO FESTIVITIES IN BETHLEHEM THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE SEEN THE POPE SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND THE TERRORIST ATTACK.

HE HAS MET WITH FAMILIES OF LOVED ONES ON PALESTINIANS AND ISRAELIS AND HE CONDEMNED THE SHOOTINGS OF WOMEN IN A A GAZA CHURCH.

SOME SAY THIS IS TERRORISM AND SOME SAY IT IS MORE.

SPECTRA I THINK HE SAID IT MOST ACCURATELY.

>> HE HE HE HIS BEEN -- TO SORT OF PROVIDE ASSISTANCE BUT ALSO TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON ON THE GROUND.

I THINK HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.

HIS ROLE IS AS PEACEMAKER AND NOT AS POLITICIAN.

SOME FEEL HE IS NOT A POLITICIAN BUT HE IS TRYING TO BE A PEACEMAKER.

>> FOR YOU AND OTHER LEADERS OF FAITH, WHETHER THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, OR ANY RELIGION, THIS IS AN EMOTIONAL TIME AND TIME FOR FAMILIES AS THEY GATHER AT THE END OF THE YEAR TO CELEBRATE WHATEVER HOLIDAYS THEY DO AND AS THEY RING IN A NEW YEAR.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE TYPE OF SERMON THAT YOU WOULD USUALLY YOU WOULD DELIVER AND MESSAGE -- WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT TO SEND TO FAMILIES ALL OVER THE WORLD THAT ARE WATCHING THINGS UNFOLD AND FEEL DESPERATE ABOUT THE GLOBAL SITUATION NOW AND WHAT 2024 MIGHT LOOK LIKE?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF DESPAIR.

THERE IS DESPAIR OVER WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ISRAEL AND UKRAINE.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGES OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS THAT NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD.

THEIR CHRISTIAN BELIEFS THAT GOD BECAME HUMAN THROUGH JESUS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEVER HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND NEVER SENSE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT DESPAIR AND HOPELESSNESS, THIS IS NOT COMING FROM GOD.

WHAT IS COMING FROM GOD IS THE DESIRE TO KEEP ON GOING.

THE DESIRE FOR HOPE.

WHEN THE DISCIPLES THOUGHT THAT NOTHING GOOD COULD HAPPEN ON GOOD FRIDAY.

CONSISTENTLY, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE AND ALSO, FEAR NOT.

WHICH IS WHAT THE INTRO SAY TO THE SHEPHERDS AND WHAT THE INTRO SAY AT THE RESURRECTION.

AND FEAR NOT AND KEEP HOPING.

>> REVEREND, YOU, FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> NOW TO THE PRIZE OF A LIFETIME.

EVEN FOR THE MOST STAR-STUDDED OF PERFORMERS.

OPERA STAR FLEMING WAS AWARDED THE KENNEDY CENTER HONOR ALONG WITH BILLIE CRYSTAL, AND MANY MORE.

THE GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING SINGER TALKS WITH MICHELLE MARTIN ABOUT THE MEANINGFUL MOMENT.

HER CAREER, AND HER LOVE OF SCIENCE.

>> RENEE FLEMING, YOU, FOR TALKING WITH US.

>> IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> YOU HAVE PERFORMED FOR QUEEN OF ENGLAND, THE SINGER OF CHOICE, THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY.

YOU RECEIVED COUNTLESS AWARDS, THE MEDAL OF HONOR, SO, HERE COMES THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS.

YOU CAN BE IS IT JUST LIKE ONE MORE DAY?

WHAT DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS MEAN AT THIS STAGE IN YOUR LIFE?

>> IT IS REALLY INCREDIBLE FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SUCH A LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KENNEDY CENTER, PARTICIPATING IN FIVE OF THE HONORS AND ATTENDING MANY MORE.

IT IS THE BIGGEST DEAL.

IT IS INCREDIBLE.

FRANKLY, ALL OF US.

I SPENT DAYS WITH THE HONOREES.

THERE IS NOTHING, THERE IS NOTHING HIGHER IN THE UNITED STATES THAT IS PUBLIC.

THIS IS THE ONE AWARD THAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL.

IT WAS SO EXHILARATING.

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT IN THE PERFORMING ARTS, WHY IS THIS SO MEANINGFUL?

IF THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT, THERE IS NO OTHER THING LIKE IT AND FRANKLY, IN THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE NOT BEEN CELEBRATING THE PERFORMING ARTS AS MUCH AS WE USED TO.

SO, THIS IS IT.

THIS IS REALLY THE PINNACLE AS FAR AS BEING RECOGNIZED GOES.

DIONNE WARWICK SAID, AFTER A LOVE THESE EARS, WE FINALLY GET RECOGNITION.

I WON'T SAY FINALLY, BECAUSE I HAVE RECEIVED MORE THAN MY SHARE OF -- BUT THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN THIS.

>> >> SOME OF YOUR SIGNATURE PIECES WERE PERFORMED NOT BY YOUR CONTEMPORARIES BUT BY YOUNG ARTISTS.

I AM WONDERING, DO YOU HAVE A HAND IN THAT?

AND HOW DID THAT FEEL?

>> I PUT FORTH A LIST.

THIS IS PART OF EVERYONE SEGMENT .

YOU SORT OF SAY, THIS IS WHO I KNOW AND THIS IS WHO I LOVE AND THIS IS WHO I WOULD LOVE TO PARTICIPATE IN MY SEGMENT.

I GIVE THEM A LIST OF MY FAVORITE YOUNG SOPRANOS THINKING ONE WOULD BE AVAILABLE.

WHEN I WALKED OUT AND SAW THAT THEY WERE ALL THERE, I JUST ABOUT FAINTED WITH JOY.

THESE ARE WOMEN THAT I HAVE CELEBRATED AND ANYTIME THEY CALL ME, THEY WANT -- FOR THEM.

THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE BUT, IT IS A JOY TO GIVE BACK IN THAT WAY.

THIS IS TRADITION THAT BELONGS TO THE PRESS CORPS?

THERE ARE MANY OTHER SINGERS AS WELL.

IT REALLY -- AND I AM A NURTURING PERSON.

IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN AND YOU DO WHAT I DO, YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO AND YOU WANT TO AND YOU REALLY LOVE THESE YOUNGER PEOPLE.

IT ALSO APPLIES TO YOUNGER ARTISTS.

I LOVE IT AND HAVING.CAMERON REPRESENT -- THAT WAS AN INCREDIBLE THING FOR ME AND -- WHO HAVE PROBABLY SANG TOGETHER MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE, SIGOURNEY WEAVER.

I THOUGHT IT WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT., HOW DO WE TALK ABOUT -- AND HOW HAVE YOU SHAPED YOUR CAREER?

YOU HAVE PERFORMED MORE THAN 60 ROLES.

HOW DID YOU DECIDE?

HOW DID YOU DECIDE WHAT RULES YOU WANTED TO TACKLE?

>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU CANNOT HAVE SUCCESS IN OUR WORLD IF YOU ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN A THE UPPER STAGE.

FOR MANY PEOPLE, IT IS THEIR WHOLE FOCUS.

FOR ME, CHOOSING REP A CHORE, YOU DO WHAT YOU ARE OFFERED.

>> WHEN YOU ARE REALLY SUCCESSFUL, YOU CAN BE A LITTLE MORE PARTICULAR ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO PERFORM?

YOU NEED TO BE IN DEMAND TO MAKE THESE CHOICES.

WHEN YOU MAKE IT TO THE TOP, YOU ARE OVERWHELMED WITH PEOPLE REQUESTING FOR YOU TO DO THINGS AND TO COLLABORATE.

THIS IS WHEN WE REALLY -- YOU GIVE ME CLARITY ON HOW TO MAKE THESE CHOICES.

YOU HAVE A TWO PEOPLE TRYING TO -- PROTECTING YOU FROM THIS IS ALL FROM I AM LEAVING MY DREAM.

-- MANY OF THOSE THAT WE KNOW, YOU CHOSE TO.

I JUST WONDERED IF THAT WAS EVER SAID TO YOU.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU DID NOT LISTEN.

I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THIS.

>> HONESTLY, I KNOW SINGERS FROM THE PREVIOUS THE GENERATION WHO SIMPLY, ON THEIR OWN, REALIZED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO IT.

YOU NEED TO HAVE A CERTAIN TYPE OF SUPPORT OR HAVE THE FINANCIAL ABILITY TO TRAVEL WITH A BABYSITTER SO YOU ARE NOT WORRIED.

WHO IS A STRANGER?

WHO IS WITH MY CHILDREN WHILE I AM PERFORMING?

YOU KNOW, I HAVE THIS KIND OF DRIVE.

I AM GOING TO MAKE IT WORK AND I'M GOING TO PACK EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED AND NOT BRING MORE THAN WHAT WE CAN FIT IN OUR FOUR SUITCASES.

MY DAUGHTERS -- THEY HELP ME LEARNED -- LEARN, YOU ARE WHAT I NEED.

MAYBE IF YOU TOYS.

THEY ARE SO ADAPTABLE AND RESILIENT CHILDREN.

THEIR HAPPY.

AS LONG AS THEY ARE WITH YOU AND HAVING A GOOD TIME.

I TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS A GOOD CASE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE KNOW YOU FOR IS HOW YOU STARTED TO ROAM AROUND OR CROSS GENRES.

YOU STARTED OUT IN JAZZ AND AT SOME POINT MOVED TO OPERA BUT THEN WHEN YOU HAVE THIS ROBUST UPPER CAREER, YOU STARTED TO MOVE INTO OTHER GENRE AGAIN.

HOW DID YOU KNOW IT WAS TIME AND HOW DID YOU DO IT?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED WAS THAT MY DISCOGRAPHY WAS FULL.

I HAD RECORDED THE STANDARD REPERTOIRE IN A NUMBER OF RECORDINGS AND I STARTED THINKING, I AM NOT GOING TO REPEAT ANY OF THAT.

I'M NOT GOING TO PUSH BACK ON THE PEOPLE -- ABSOLUTELY NOT.

PEOPLE SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO BRANCH OUT.

I IGNORED IT AND BY THOUGHT, IT IS MY LIFE.

AND IF IT HURTS ME, IT HURTS MY LEGACY.

SO BE IT.

>> SO YOU PERFORMED ON BROADWAY.

YOU PUT OUT A ROCK COVER ALL BULB AND A JAZZ ALBUM.

YOU PERFORMED ON THE SOUNDTRACK OF "THE SHAPE OF WATER."

BUT HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

>> CERTAINLY, THE RECORDINGS ARE MY DECISION.

MANY OF THEM COME TO ME SO PETER SAID, WE WANT TO DO THIS ALBUM WITH YOU.

SIMILAR TO WHAT THAT MIDLER HAD DONE.

SO, THAT WAS KIND OF OUT THERE FOR ME TO LOOK AT ROCK MUSIC AND MAKE CHOICES ABOUT THE MUSIC THAT THEY WANTED TO RECORD.

IT WAS A FASCINATING EXPERIENCE AND CERTAINLY, JAZZ AND MUSIC THEATER.

YOU CAN'T GO AFTER THESE THINGS.

YOU NEED TO BE OFFERED THEM.

THOSE ARE FASCINATING.

DOING A PLAY ON BROADWAY, SHORT- LIVED AS IT WAS, IT WAS MORE FUN.

LORD OF THE RINGS WAS PROBABLY THE MOST FAMOUS OF THE SOUNDTRACKS.

MY DAUGHTER SAID RECENTLY, WHY ARE YOU NOT SINGING THIS?

YOU ARE THE VOICE OF GOLLUM AT THE END OF THE THIRD FILM AND YOU DON'T SING IT.

AND I SAID, I STARTED PERFORMING IT.

SOME SINGERS SAY, HOW DID YOU GET THESE FILMS?

AND THEY SAID, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN PURSUE.

THEY JUST, YOU GET ASKED AND IT IS REALLY FANTASTIC.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS VERY MUCH SURFACED IS THE ROLE OF ARTS AND MENTAL HEALTH.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT USED TO HAVE STIGMA AROUND THEM AND MANY STILL DO.

WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING TO BOTH UNDERSTAND, ALLEVIATE, AND CHAMPION.

HOW DID THAT ALL START?

>> THE ARTS AND HEALTH INTERSECTION -- THEY BECAME INTERESTING TO ME BECAUSE I HAD MY OWN ISSUES.

I HAD PAIN OVER THE YEARS AS A DISTRACTION FROM PERFORMANCE PRESSURE.

I AM NOT A NATURAL PERFORMER.

I HAD TO STEEL MYSELF.

I HAD STAGE FRIGHT.

SO, THAT IS HOW I BECAME INTERESTED BUT THEN, WHEN I MET FRANCIS COLLINS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH OVER THE LAST 12 YEARS, I SAID, I AM I THINK KENNEDY CENTER, CAN WE PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR ARTS AND HEALTH, I THINK THE AUDIENCE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE LISTENING TO MUSIC OR FEELING EMOTION AROUND THE ARTS.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR FIVE YEARS NOW.

FOR MENTAL HEALTH, OUR SURGEON GENERAL, HAS ACTUALLY DONE, IN A RECENT STUDY, A RELEASED STATE.

MUSIC CAN CREATE ENDORPHINS THAT ARE HEALING AROUND DEPRESSION AND THEY ALLEVIATE THE DEPRESSION THAT WE FEEL.

AND GOES OUT TO NATURE AND CREATING SOMETHING ARTISTIC.

IT HAS DONE WONDERS FOR VETERANS FOR PEOPLE.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF ANXIETY AROUND THE CLIMATE.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS .

>> >> DO YOU WORRY THAT OPERA IS LOSING ITS PLACE?

>> IT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE OF THE CLASS OF --.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON A GIVEN NIGHT TO MAKE A LARGE OPERA PRODUCTION COME ACROSS.

SINGERS AND SOLOISTS AND THE ORCHESTRA AND EVERYONE BEHIND STAGE.

THE COSTUMES OF THE SETS, IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT AND YOU ARE NOT SELLING OUT EVERY TICKET -- SOME OF THESE PLACES ARE TOO BIG?

FROM THEN FROM WHEN THEY WERE BUILDS, 3000 OR 4000 SEATS WERE APPROPRIATE -- BUT THAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE NOW THAT THERE PERFORMING ARTS LOCATIONS ON EVERY BLOCK.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

THERE IS A DIEHARD AUDIENCE AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE COMING IN DROVES.

THE HOURS OF THE PREMIERES AT THE MET LAST YEAR, A HUGE PERCENTAGE OF ATTENDEES WERE IN THE UPPER HOUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO SEE THIS TITLE?

>> SO, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

THE HOURS WERE BASED UPON THE SOURCE MATERIAL AND "VIRGINIA WOOLF."

[ SINGING ] >> MY UNDERSTANDING FROM LOOKING AT THE DATA IS THAT SOMETHING LIKE 40% OF THE AUDIENCE HAD NEVER GONE TO THE OPERA BEFORE.

WHAT YOU THINK WAS ATTRACTIVE TO THEM?

>> IT HAD TO BE THE TITLE.

IT COULD BE THERE WERE THREE LEADING SOPRANOS IN THE THREE MAIN ROLES.

WE ARE MIXING GENRES AGAIN.

PEOPLE PROBABLY KNEW THAT THERE WAS SUBJECT MATTER IN THIS PIECE.

WEATHER LGBTQ ISSUES OR SUICIDE OR CERTAINLY MENTAL HEALTH.

THERE WERE RELEVANT SUBJECTS IN THE OFFICE AND THIS IS WHY I KEEP SAYING WE NEED MORE THAN WERE THAT SPEAKS TO ISSUES THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

WE CAN MEET BE MOVED BY IT OR EXCITED BY IT.

BUT REALLY, IT SHOULD BE MORE ABOUT WHAT WE CARE ABOUT.

THERE IS SO MUCH NEW WORK.

-- SHOWED UP IN MY BONES.

MALCOM MADDOX WAS JUST VERY SUCCESSFUL.

THE OPERA HAS A PIECE ON -- THAT IS COMPLETELY SOLD OUT.

BREANNA GIBBONS WROTE A PIECE THAT ONE A PULITZER PRIZE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT TYPICALLY IN THE UPPER WORLD, THEY WANT TO SEE.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT THE HOURS WERE SO SUCCESSFUL THAT THE MET IS BRINGING IT BACK AGAIN.

NEXT YEAR.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

>> AND OTTO MOST NEVER HAPPENS.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> NOT THIS QUICKLY.

THE TURNAROUND FOR THIS COMPANY IS FOUR YEARS.

I DO NOT KNOW HOW PETER DID IT.

HE MOVED HEAVEN AND EARTH.

AND WE ARE ALL DOING IT.

THE SAME CAST.

THAT IS QUITE A HERCULEAN FEET.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT KIND OF AUDIENCE WE WILL GET THIS TIME AROUND.

>> SO, WHAT IS NEXT?

>> I AM WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.

IT WAS A PANDEMIC PROJECT, BECAUSE NATURE SAVED ME.

THIS IS A STUNNING 30 MINUTE FILM THAT I SWARMED TO.

I THINK I WILL BRING THIS TO MANY CITIES IN THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF AND IT IS REALLY ABOUT, IT IS LARGELY ABOUT LOVING THE PLANET AND FINDING WAYS TO PROTECT IT.

WE SHARED THEIR INITIATIVES AND WE ENCOURAGE AUDIENCE MEMBERS, WE ARE NOT BEATING THEM OVER THE HEAD WITH THE BAD NEWS EVERY DAY.

IT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR THE PLAN OF.

>> BEFORE WE GO, IN CASE ANY UP- AND-COMING ARTISTS ARE LISTENING, DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR THEM?

>> I JUST ANNOUNCED THE GRANTS FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN ARTISTS AND YOUNG SCIENTISTS.

IT IS A FABULOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE OF YOU INTERESTED IN COMBINING THESE CREATIVE MINDS.

SCIENCE IS CREATIVE IN A SIMILAR WAY TO ART.

AND ARTISTS.

WE ALL HAVE A HYPOTHESIS AND WE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND CREATE AND MAKE.

THAT IS AN EXCITING THING BUT FOR YOUNG PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS IN GENERAL, I WOULD SAY, WE HAVE NEVER NEEDED YOU MORE THAN WE DO NOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR TALKING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU, MICHELLE.

>> WHAT AN INCREDIBLE VOICE AND CAREER SHE HAS.

>>> FINALLY, AS THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE, WE RETURN TO OUR MUSICAL THEME.

IN 2019, PIANIST LANG LANG -- AND TO GIVE PERSONAL OPINIONS.

>> WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> IS THIS WHAT YOU WERE HERE TO PROMOTE?

IS THIS YOUR NEW PROJECT?

>> IT IS, BUT IT IS ALSO A NEW PROJECT.

>> FOR ME, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SHARE SOME OF MY MUSIC.

THIS IS FOR --.

THOSE ARE THE FIRST LOADS FOR ME FOR MUSIC AND I LOVE TO RECORD THOSE PIECES.

>> CAN YOU GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT MORE?

>> ♪ ♪ >> IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

FOR MANY YOUNG PEOPLE THEY WOULD RECOGNIZE THAT AS THE FIRST PIECE.

HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT?

IN CHINA, WERE YOU TRYING TO LEARN EUROPEAN MUSIC?

>> AS A BEGINNER, MOST OF THE PIECE, I WOULD SAY A % WAS CLASSICAL MUSIC AND THEN THERE IS ANOTHER SMALLER % THAT ARE DOING SOME KIND OF ARRANGEMENT FROM THE CHINESE FOLK MUSIC.

SO IT WAS INTERESTING.

>> OKAY.

INTERESTING.

♪ >> SO, -- .

>> DID YOU GREW UP LISTENING TO MUSIC IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD?

>> I HAD A VERY MUSICAL ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE MY FATHER PLEASE TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS WITH HIS ORCHESTRA.

HE HAD MANY COLLEAGUES AND SO, -- LIVE IN THE SAME DORMITORY AS OTHER MUSICIANS.

THEY PLAY DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUSIC AND OTHERS ARE INTO THE PIANO PLAYING.

>> SO IT WAS CONSIDERED SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO.

YOU WOULD BE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW YOUR PARENTS?

>> IT WAS QUITE NATURAL.

EVERYONE HAS A PIANO IN THEIR HOME.

AND EVERYONE JUST STARTS TO -- AND WAKING UP TO PUSH THE KEYS.

>> HOW MUCH PRACTICE DID YOU HAVE?

YOU ARE A LITTLE BOY AND YOU HAD TO DO A HUGE AMOUNT OF PRACTICE WHEN YOU CAME BACK FROM SCHOOL.

>> IF YOU ARE FIVE, YOU MIGHT SPEND FIVE HOURS.

IF YOU ARE SIX, YOU MIGHT SPEND SIX HOURS.

I DID PRACTICE AT LEAST FIVE OR SIX HOURS DURING SCHOOL DAYS.

AND THEN EIGHT HOURS A DAY.

>> AND YOU ACTUALLY DID GET INJURED LAST YEAR.

YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME RECOVERING FROM THAT INJURY.

WAS IT BECAUSE YOU OVERPLAYED AND OVERPACK LIST?

HOW DID YOU GET AN INJURY?

HOW DOES A PIANIST GET INJURED?

>> I WOULD SAY OVERUSE.

I WAS PRACTICING A PIECE AND I DID NOT HAVE A GOOD POSITION.

THINGS WERE JUST INFLAMED AFTERWARDS.

>> SO TENDINITIS?

>> YES.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PIECES TO PLAY?

>> REALLY, IT DEPENDS ON THE MOMENT.

I WOULD SAY, MY FAVORITE PIECE, MY FAVORITE IS THIS MOST INCREDIBLE --, I THINK.

>> ♪ ♪ >> IF I AM A LITTLE DEPRESSED I LIKE TO PLAY --.

>> ♪ >> IT IS LIKE SINGING.

YOU KNOW.

>> SO, IT DEPENDS.

>> I CAN FEEL IT.

I REALLY CAN.

I CAN REALLY SEE IN THIS INSTANCE HERE.

WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT YOU.

YOU ARE A GREAT TALENT BUT YOU ARE ALSO A GREAT SHOWMAN.

YOU ARE A GREAT ACTOR AND YOU FEEL AND YOU ARE DRAMATIC.

THERE ARE SOME CRITICS THAT SAY, TOO MUCH OF A SHOWMAN.

WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER TO THAT?

>> PEOPLE CAN SAY WHATEVER THEY WANT.

BUT FOR ME, THE PRIORITY IS TO BE A GREAT MUSICIAN FIRST.

I ESTABLISH THAT FIRST AND THEN, TO BE ON THE SIDE, A SHOWMAN, IT IS NOT TOO BAD.

>> SO, DO YOU HAVE MENTORS OR PIANISTS THAT YOU HAVE COME TO LIKE AS A STYLE?

>> OBVIOUSLY, FROM MUSICIANS LIKE HOROWITZ AND RUBENSTEIN AND -- THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT NOT ONLY PLAYED THE PIANO BUT THEY INSPIRED ME LIKE LEONARD BERNSTEIN AND OTHERS.

>> ALL VERY DRAMATIC.

>> YES.

I ALSO LIKE THE MUSICIAN WHO NOT ONLY INFLUENCED PEOPLE IN THE CLASSICAL MUSIC WORLD BUT ALSO THE BIGGER PUBLIC.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT.

YOU OBVIOUSLY HAD IT, GROWING UP, MANY PEOPLE, IF THEY ARE LUCKY ENOUGH, HAVE MUSIC LESSONS WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG.

AND YET, IN THE WEST, SCHOOLS ARE CUTTING BACK ON MUSIC.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK IT IS FOR KIDS TO KNOW MUSIC?

EVEN IF THEY WILL NOT BE A MUSICIAN.

>> I BELIEVE THAT MUSIC CHANGED MY LIFE AND I BELIEVE THAT MUSIC HAS THE MOST POWERFUL MAGIC TO CHANGE EVERYONE'S LIFE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THAT -- WE MUST BRING MUSIC BACK TO THE SCHOOLS THAT CUT THEIR BUDGETS.

THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

WE ARE TRYING TO BRING MUSIC BACK TO THE SCHOOLS.

AROUND THE GLOBE, WE HAVE OVER 100 SCHOOLS THAT HAVE WORKED WITH US.ARE TRAINING THE TEACHERS.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE TRY TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE.

>> YOU SAY IT CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

IS THERE SOMETHING SPIRITUAL THAT YOU GET FROM IT?

>> SURE.

MUSICALLY, WHEN YOU TOUCH THE PIANO, THE KEYS, IT IS NOT JUST ONE NOTE.

YOU WORK AS A TEAM.

WHEN YOU LEARN A PIECE, THAT IS THE BEST WAY OF TEACHING YOU HOW TO BE CREATIVE.

HOW TO BE, A TEAM PLAYER AND HOW TO OPEN YOUR HEART.

IT IS A REAL COMMUNITY.

THE PIANO IS A COMMUNITY AND WHEN YOU KNOW ABOUT THOSE COMMUNITIES, IT IS EASIER FOR YOU TO BUILD A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT CULTURES.

>> YOU HAVE PLAYED FOR THE PRESIDENT OF MANY.

DO YOU THINK MUSIC CAN BE USED TO BUILD BRIDGES?

>> I BELIEVE IT BECAUSE IN MUSIC, THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL -- FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

I HAVE ALWAYS FELT IT IS THE BEST WAY TO OPEN PEOPLES HEARTS.

AND TO BUILD SOMETHING THAT WILL BUILD AN UNDERSTANDING WITH CULTURE.

IN THE END, I DO BELIEVE IN THAT.

>> WHAT WAS IT LIKE YOU WERE GROWING UP?

YOU SAID YOU LIVED IN DORMITORIES.

AND ALSO APARTMENTS.

AND YOU WERE SEPARATED FROM YOUR MOTHER OR YOUR FATHER.

YOU WENT FROM WHERE YOU WERE LEAVING TO BEIJING.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

WHAT WERE THE CONDITIONS LIKE?

>> I ACTUALLY HAD A PRETTY NICE TIME.

MY FATHER PUSHED ME PRETTY HARD.

THE CONDITIONS WERE STILL OKAY.

THAT I MOVED TO BEIJING BECAUSE I THOUGHT, WE WANTED TO BE THERE.

WE WANTED TO BE A BETTER STUDY.

BUT THEN, OF COURSE, EVERYTHING, MY MOM HAD TO WORK BY HERSELF AND THEN MY FATHER QUIT HIS JOB.

WE WERE REALLY KIND OF, SHORT ON MONEY SO WE RENTED A PLACE LIKE $10 PER MONTH, AT THAT TIME.

>> SO WHAT WAS NOT THE NICEST PLACE?

>> I PLAYED THESE PIECES EVERY DAY.

BUT -- I MEAN -- I WAS LIKE, YOU ARE SO COMFORTABLE.

WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?

>> DO THEY HAPPEN TO KNOW WHERE YOU BECAME?

>> HE EVEN GAVE ME THEIR NEW HOME TO STAY.

MY COUSINS CAME.

WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM.

AND I WAS LIKE, MAYBE COME TO US.

>> YOU HAD A TEACHER, WHAT WAS GOING ON.

>> WE THOUGHT, THERE IS A PROFESSOR WHO WE THOUGHT COULD STUDY WITH US.

BUT THEN, I REALIZED, SHE WAS SUPER ANGRY AND THAT IS WHY CULTURE PROFESSOR.

EVERY TIME I PLAYED SOMETHING, I WAS LIKE, -- ♪ -- AND SHE WAS LIKE, YOU COULD PLAY IN A POTATO FIELD.

OR IF I PLAY -- ♪ -- SHE SAID, IT IS LIKE YOU ARE PLAYING WATER.

I DID SOME SPARKLING WATER.

AND THEN I WAS LIKE, HOW SHOULD I GET THAT.

AFTER THE, SHE SAID, YOU DON'T LISTEN AND YOU DON'T CARE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

GET OUT OF MY CLASS.

SO I WAS FIRED.

>> AND WHAT DID SHE SAY ABOUT YOU NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, THE PROFESSOR THERE, SHE SAID --.

>> IS SHE PROUD OF YOU NOW?

>> FOR SURE.

>> WHAT YOU WANT TO PASS ON TO THESE YOUNGSTERS THAT YOU ARE TEACHING IN YOUR ACADEMY?

>> I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO SHARE THE PASSION FOR THAT.

THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS FORM OF ART.

SOMETIMES AFTER EIGHT HOURS OF PRACTICING, THEY ALL KIND OF LOSE OUR INTEREST OR THEY GET A BIT BORED.

SO, WHETHER YOU ARE STUDYING THE SCHOOL, SOMETIMES WE GET INTO OUR OWN WORLD AND WE ARE NOT OPEN TO OTHER THINGS.

I GO SOMEWHERE TO TEACH -- AND I TRY TO GIVE THEM THE CHARACTERS.

MUSIC IS NOT JUST MUSIC.

IT IS THE STORIES BEHIND IT AND THE CHARACTERS BEHIND.

IT IS A MOVIE BEHIND.

IT IS THE SAME THING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT IS THE SAME THING.

WHEN I HEAR MUSIC, I WANT TO GIVE THEM WERE VERTICAL DIMENSIONS.

>> WHAT PIECE INSPIRED YOU?

>> I WAS ACTUALLY, I WAS VERY LITTLE AND DEATH THAT TIME, MY FAVORITE CARTOON WAS TOM AND JERRY.

>> ♪ >> I MEAN, IT IS BRILLIANT.

LATER ON I FOUND OUT IT WAS THE SAME PIECE THAT SAME YEAR.

BUT I DID NOT KNOW BUGS BUNNY AT THAT TIME.

SO I THINK THAT WAS KIND OF LIKE A LITTLE REVELRY BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> IT IS WEIRD TO THINK THAT CLASSICAL MUSIC WOULD USE BE USED TO TELL STORIES.

>> BACK THEN THAT WAS A REGULAR CASE.

IF YOU LISTEN TO THE OLD DISNEY CARTOONS, THESE ARE CLASSICAL MUSIC OR JAZZ.

YOU LISTEN AND YOU HEAR A LOT OF THAT.

>> BUT THOSE ARE TWO OF THE HIGHEST FORMS OF MUSIC.

>> I LOVE JAZZ.

BUT I LIKE OTHERS TOO.

I THINK HIP-HOP IS COOL.

EXPECTED TO DO ANY HIP-HOP?

>> I WORKED WITH MANY WONDERFUL MUSICIANS.

AND THERE ARE SOME MUSICIANS WHERE, THERE ARE NEW WAYS OF DOING HIP-HOP THINGS.

>> NOT MUCH IS KNOWN ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE.

ARE YOU MARRIED?

>> NOT YET.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO GET MARRIED?

>> IT IS STILL A SECRET.

>> IS THERE A LUCKY PERSON WAITING IN THE WINGS?

>> THAT IS STILL A SECRET.

>> WE WILL LEAVE IT ON THAT CIRCUIT OF NOTE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

INDEED.

>> OF COURSE .

>> WHEN YOU PLAY US OUT WITH SOMETHING?

>> OF COURSE.

I WILL PLAY THE ANNALEE WALTZ.

>> ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

IS >> FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS IT FOR OUR PROGRAM.

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