Ben Folds visits Artpark for Peabody podcast, concert

Prior to his "Wednesdays at Artpark" concert, Ben Folds dropped by the park's Emerald Grove for a preshow discussion. Nadia Sirota, an acclaimed violist and host of the Peabody-winning podcast "Meet the Composer" on WQXR, interviewed Folds as more than 100 people watched from picnic tables.

Multiplatinum-selling singer/songwriter/producer Folds first found mainstream success as the leader of the critically acclaimed Ben Folds Five. He has gone on to have a successful solo career, recording multiple studio albums, a pair of records documenting his live performances, a remix record, music for film and TV, as well as numerous collaborations with artists from Sara Bareilles to William Shatner.

Sirota received degrees from the Juilliard School, where she performed as co-founder of the AXIOM ensemble. She was awarded the 2010 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award in Radio and Internet Broadcasting. Sirota also is a member of yMusic, the band accompanying Folds at Artpark.

"Meet the Composer," on Q2 Music, explores the work of living composers through interviews and musical selections.

In concert

Philip Burke painting Folds