Arizona Encore♪

Every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., “Arizona Encore♪” airs on KBACH, KNAU and DTV-8.5 showcasing Arizona’s premier performances. Recordings made by Central Sound of live classical music concerts performed throughout the state of Arizona make up the programming of “Arizona Encore♪”.  For one hour a week, listeners can hear classical music recordings from Tempe Center of the Arts, Gammage Auditorium, the Sedona Performing Arts Center and all the way to the Grand Canyon’s Shrine of the Ages, along with churches all over the state. Local ensembles such as True Concord Voices and Orchestra, The Phoenix Children’s Chorus and Arizona State University’s Symphony Orchestra are featured in addition to touring artists such as Chatham Baroque, Omer Quartet, Brooklyn Rider, Trio Combray, the Manhattan Chamber Players, the Faure Quartet, Corinne Winters, Jamie Barton and Ian Bostridge.

History

The predecessor of “Arizona Encore♪” began on June 6, 1994, under the name Summer Season Ticket. The following January, the show was rebranded as Southwest Season Ticket, which aired for more than 20 years with over 500 unique episodes.

On March 1, 2016, Classical Arizona PBS presented “Arizona Encore’s♪” debut with the Phoenix Chorale singing Duruflé’s Requiem, recorded at the Trinity Cathedral.

Today

“Arizona Encore♪” is returning for the 2025-2026 season with a mission to expand the classical music canon, making room for marginalized composers and performers alongside traditional classical favorites. Highlights will include performances from the Grand Canyon Music Festival, Arizona Musicfest, and Phoenix Chorale.

How to listen

“Arizona Encore♪” is a production of Classical Arizona PBS. Listen on DTV Channel 8.5, KNAU, 89.5 KBAQ or download our mobile app. Visit KNAU Arizona Public Radio and 89.5 KBACH to discover more listening options.

Many “Arizona Encore♪” radio broadcasts are presented in DTS Neural Surround, while our DTV 8.5 Simulcast presents programming in discrete surround sound. This technology enables the broadcast team to deliver the performances in immersive surround sound, bringing the experience of sitting in the best seat of the concert hall directly to listeners.

Hosts

Michael Keelan became interested in broadcasting after an impromptu audition for WCLV-Cleveland while still in college. His first daily classical show was with NET Radio (now Nebraska Public Media) and he went on to host the morning classical show for Kansas Public Radio where he spearheaded music interviews and special features. He is a violinist in the Omaha Symphony and a past concertmaster of the Green Bay Symphony, besides a former faculty member at multiple universities and community music institutions.

Tyler Kline is an active composer with over a decade of experience in public radio. His music has been performed throughout the United States, and internationally in Asia, Europe, and South America. Tyler has been a classical music host at Classical WSMR in Tampa, FL since 2013, where he also curates, hosts, and produces Modern Notebook, a program dedicated to the music of living composers. A native of Kentucky, he earned his Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of South Florida. Learn more at tylerklinemusic.com.

Avery Scott is a violinist, composer, and writer based in New York City. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the Boston University School of Music under the tutelage of Yuri Mazurkevich and Klaudia Szlachta, and he also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Boston University. Avery is currently a candidate for the Master of Music degree at the Mannes School of Music, where he studies violin with Stefan Jackiw. When not playing the violin, composing, or writing, he enjoys exploring nature and keeping up with the evolving landscape of new and experimental music.

Deborah Van Fleet was a host and reporter at Omaha’s NPR affiliate, KIOS-FM, for nearly two decades. Her roles there included hosting a weekly two-hour jazz program.  She also hosted a classical music program on KVNO-FM, Omaha’s classical music station. Prior to joining ASU’s Central Sound, Deborah covered the state of Nebraska for Public News Service. Originally from New Hampshire, Deborah has lived in Omaha, Nebraska most of her adult life and taught in public schools in the area for over two decades.  In the past, she performed in a classical guitar duo with her husband, guitarist and composer Larry A. Van Fleet.