Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé, and today you’re in for something rare — a conversation where music, mastery, presence, and spiritual curiosity meet in one sweeping arc.
My guest is Deborah Domanski, the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano praised by The New York Times for her “luscious sound and lyrical refinement.” I met Deborah at the 2025 LEAF Festival in North Carolina, where — by pure serendipity — she ended up onstage with guitarist and longtime friend, Walter Parks. What unfolded that night was more than a performance. It was an act of instant creative communion, two artists from different worlds dropping into a shared field of presence, improvisation, and trust.
In this conversation, Deborah talks openly about what it takes to reach that level of effortless mastery — the thousands of hours of training, yes, but also the deeper practice of getting out of your own way, listening for what wants to come through, and letting the art work on you as much as you work on it.
We talk about creativity, collaboration, Monteverdi, meditation, belonging, grief, loneliness, home, and that rare moment when an artist dissolves into something larger than themselves — and brings an audience with them.
Settle in. Enjoy.
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Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé, and today you’re in for something rare — a conversation where music, mastery, presence, and spiritual curiosity meet in one sweeping arc.
My guest is Deborah Domanski, the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano praised by The New York Times for her “luscious sound and lyrical refinement.” I met Deborah at the 2025 LEAF Festival in North Carolina, where — by pure serendipity — she ended up onstage with guitarist and longtime friend, Walter Parks. What unfolded that night was more than a performance. It was an act of instant creative communion, two artists from different worlds dropping into a shared field of presence, improvisation, and trust.
In this conversation, Deborah talks openly about what it takes to reach that level of effortless mastery — the thousands of hours of training, yes, but also the deeper practice of getting out of your own way, listening for what wants to come through, and letting the art work on you as much as you work on it.
We talk about creativity, collaboration, Monteverdi, meditation, belonging, grief, loneliness, home, and that rare moment when an artist dissolves into something larger than themselves — and brings an audience with them.
Settle in. Enjoy.
Welcome to Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé.
In this episode, I speak with musician, educator, and LEAF Global Arts programming director Melissa McKinney, who shares the remarkable story of how music has shaped every corner of her life. From running a music school in West Virginia to starting over in Asheville, and her involvement with LEAF Global Art. Melissa’s journey is one of courage, reinvention, and the power of community.
We discuss her daughter’s band, The Change, and how their 2016 performance at LEAF led to a deep involvement with the organization.
Melissa reflects on the challenges of leaving a conservative environment, rediscovering her voice, and building new roots through music and mentorship.
She shares stories of Kinsey, a beloved student whose life and song, “Laugh, Love, Live,” continue to inspire children across Buncombe County—and Melissa’s creative path. We also explore what it means to “step into your power,” honor your voice and lead through authenticity.
Tune in for a moving conversation about creativity, healing, and living a life in tune with your deepest values.
Twice 5 Miles Radio
Welcome to Provocative Conversations from Twice 5 Miles Radio. I’m your host, James Navé, and today you’re in for something rare — a conversation where music, mastery, presence, and spiritual curiosity meet in one sweeping arc.
My guest is Deborah Domanski, the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano praised by The New York Times for her “luscious sound and lyrical refinement.” I met Deborah at the 2025 LEAF Festival in North Carolina, where — by pure serendipity — she ended up onstage with guitarist and longtime friend, Walter Parks. What unfolded that night was more than a performance. It was an act of instant creative communion, two artists from different worlds dropping into a shared field of presence, improvisation, and trust.
In this conversation, Deborah talks openly about what it takes to reach that level of effortless mastery — the thousands of hours of training, yes, but also the deeper practice of getting out of your own way, listening for what wants to come through, and letting the art work on you as much as you work on it.
We talk about creativity, collaboration, Monteverdi, meditation, belonging, grief, loneliness, home, and that rare moment when an artist dissolves into something larger than themselves — and brings an audience with them.
Settle in. Enjoy.
