In this episode of Fast Forward STL, Keith Alper sits down Marie-Hélène Bernard, president and CEO of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. She shares how one of the nation’s oldest orchestras continues to break barriers and redefine its role in the community. Drawing from her immigrant roots, she’s expanding access to music and looking to build a more inclusive future for the arts locally. Bernard also goes deep on the $140 million transformation of Powell Hall and the long-term vision that drove it. In a challenging funding landscape, she makes the case for why the arts and philanthropy are essential to innovation, education, and a thriving city. It’s an inspiring look at leadership, resilience, and the power of music to shape what’s next for St. Louis. Watch on YouTube, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.

See related stories and resources from this episode: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/episode-8

Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL&si=1nKDfMtmRLjbB07i 

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079 

New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you’ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/

Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com. 

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.

In this episode of Fast Forward STL, Keith Alper sits down Marie-H&eacute;l&egrave;ne Bernard, president and CEO of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. She shares how one of the nation&rsquo;s oldest orchestras continues to break barriers and redefine its role in the community. Drawing from her immigrant roots, she&rsquo;s expanding access to music and looking to build a more inclusive future for the arts locally. Bernard also goes deep on the $140 million transformation of Powell Hall and the long-term vision that drove it. In a challenging funding landscape, she makes the case for why the arts and philanthropy are essential to innovation, education, and a thriving city. It&rsquo;s an inspiring look at leadership, resilience, and the power of music to shape what&rsquo;s next for St. Louis. Watch on YouTube, and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Love the show? Be sure to follow or subscribe.
See related stories and resources from this episode: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/fast-forward-stl/episode-8
Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYnyrcREHGmdXtX9NEhHsFKPnlX-sLmL&amp;si=1nKDfMtmRLjbB07i&nbsp;
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6GMNrMGxJcajuyAsnAAkTa
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fast-forward-stl/id1862226079&nbsp;
New to podcasts? Follow these instructions to start listening to our shows, and hear what you&rsquo;ve been missing: https://www.stlmag.com/podcasts/how-to-listen/
Have an idea for a future episode? Email podcasts@stlmag.com.&nbsp;
Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Email advertisting@stlmag.com.

Fast Forward STL is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, “I didn’t know that.” From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city’s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.

Fast Forward STL&nbsp;is a business and innovation podcast hosted by entrepreneur, investor, producer, and CEO of The Nitrous Effect companies, Keith Alper. Each episode features leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators doing remarkable work connected to St. Louis and the greater region. Together, they explore ideas, stories, and strategies that shape growth, spark curiosity, and occasionally make you say, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know that.&rdquo; From bold startups to legacy organizations reinventing themselves, the conversations dig into how people build, create, and solve real problems, and why it matters to our city&rsquo;s future. The goal is simple: learn, explore, and help move St. Louis fast forward through business, leadership, and innovation.