William Shakespeare is a towering figure in English literature, but his contributions were not limited to written work; he also had a major influence on classical music. A new webinar from the Free Library’s Literature Department and The Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music — aptly titled Shakespeare is for Everyone! — will provide an in-depth exploration of his presence in music on April 9 at 6:00 p.m.

Professors Dr. Alisha Nypaver and Dr. Lily Kass from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music will lead the lecture as guest panelists.

Dr. Nypaver is a professor of Music Education and Pedagogy. Her dissertation explored the convergence of traditional classroom teaching and the teaching methods of YouTube music studies content creators. Dr. Nypaver also teaches "The Sounds of Philadelphia" — a Race and Diversity general education course exploring the lives and careers of musicians, producers, and songwriters connected to the Philadelphia region.

Dr. Kass is an interdisciplinary educator whose work focuses on the diverse ways musical and theatrical works are reimagined to meet the needs of new audiences. Her seminars including “Shakespeare and Music,” “Powerful Women in Opera,” “Mozart’s Operas,” and “Exoticism on the Musical Stage,” seek to empower students to engage with the canon of Western classical music through research, analysis, and critique. She is also a trained coloratura soprano and sings with the National Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society.

Both have extensive experience teaching topics related to Shakespeare and music and will guide the audience through a conversation examining the enduring legacy of Shakespeare and his impact on classical music.

This program is free, but advance registration is required.

Learn more about upcoming events at Parkway Central Library on the Free Library Events Calendar.