The Seattle Symphony has a new music director… And she’s breaking new ground.

Xian Zhang is the first woman and the first person of color to direct the Symphony in its more than 120-year history…

And she’s here to talk about what brought her to Seattle after conducting orchestras around the world.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

The Seattle Symphony has a new music director&hellip; And she&rsquo;s breaking new ground.
Xian Zhang is the first woman and the first person of color to direct the Symphony in its more than 120-year history&hellip;
And she&rsquo;s here to talk about what brought her to Seattle after conducting orchestras around the world.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or<a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback"> leave us feedback online</a>.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now

The Seattle Symphony has a new music director… And she’s breaking new ground.  Xian Zhang is the first woman and the first person of color to direct the Symphony in its more than 120-year history…  And she’s here to talk about what brought her to Seattle after conducting orchestras around the world.

Seattle Symphony's new music director loves Bach and Seattle audiences

As a new mom, juggling new identities, Jenna Hanchard began to wonder, “how do I come home to myself?”

That question became a creative spark that eventually led to her new film, "To Dress a Wound." Hanchard spoke with KUOW's Jeannie Yandel about how her process began after the birth of her second child...with writing poetry.

You can see Jenna Hanchard’s film, "To Dress a Wound," at Northwest Film Forum on Capitol Hill September 23 and 26. It premieres with the Local Sightings Film Festival, which features films and filmmakers from the Pacific Northwest.

Jenna will be at the September 23 screening for a Q&A. 
Jenna Hanchard
To Dress a Wound
Devyn Pedrano-Snow
Dany Srey-Snow
Studio 7117
Jasira Andrus
Andy Park 
4 Culture 
Northwest Film Forum
Local Sightings Film Festival 

As a new mom, juggling new identities, Jenna Hanchard began to wonder, &ldquo;how do I come home to myself?&rdquo;
That question became a creative spark that eventually led to her new film, "To Dress a Wound." Hanchard spoke with KUOW's Jeannie Yandel about how her process began after the birth of her second child...with writing poetry.
You can see Jenna Hanchard&rsquo;s film, "To Dress a Wound," at Northwest Film Forum on Capitol Hill September 23 and 26. It premieres with the Local Sightings Film Festival, which features films and filmmakers from the Pacific Northwest.
Jenna will be at the September 23 screening for a Q&amp;A.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://hysterichystories.com/">Jenna Hanchard</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://hysterichystories.com/about">To Dress a Wound</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.iamdevynsnow.com/">Devyn Pedrano-Snow</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://sreydanyco.com/about">Dany Srey-Snow</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.studio7117.com/">Studio 7117</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.washingtonfilmworks.org/team/jasira-diriye-she-her">Jasira Andrus</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.andyparkrecording.com/">Andy Park</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.4culture.org/">4 Culture</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://nwfilmforum.org/">Northwest Film Forum</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://nwfilmforum.org/festivals/local-sightings-film-festival-pacific-nw/?autoplay=1">Local Sightings Film Festival&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>

Filmmaker Jenna Hanchard honors her creative calling in her debut, "To Dress a Wound."

Jenna Hanchard's debut film stars Black girl grief, liberation, and herself

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington…

First, an unusual wildfire recovery organization arrived in Spokane this past weekend. The Alta Heritage Foundation helps people recover their cremated loved ones from homes destroyed by wildfires.

Next, it's back to school season. That means many high school juniors and seniors are starting to think about college. But a maritime trade program in Clark County, Washington is charting a different course. 

And finally, Dolly Parton had a direct philanthropic impact on our region… Her Imagination Library serves millions of children nationwide, including around 85-thousand in Washington state.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

Today, we&rsquo;re bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington&hellip;
First, an unusual wildfire recovery organization arrived in Spokane this past weekend. The Alta Heritage Foundation <a href="https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2026-09-02/spr-news-today-finding-loved-ones-remains-in-the-ashes">helps people recover their cremated loved ones from homes destroyed by wildfires</a>.
Next, it's back to school season. That means many high school juniors and seniors are starting to think about college. But a <a href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/31/vancouver-high-school-maritime-program-second-year/">maritime trade program in Clark County, Washington is charting a different course.&nbsp;</a>
And finally, Dolly Parton had a direct philanthropic impact on our region&hellip; Her Imagination Library serves millions of children nationwide, <a href="https://www.nwpb.org/local/2026-09-02/families-reflect-on-impact-of-dolly-partons-imagination-library">including around 85-thousand in Washington state.</a>
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. <a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at <a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

Today, we’re bringing you the best from newsrooms across Washington…  First, an unusual wildfire recovery organization arrived in Spokane this past weekend. The Alta Heritage Foundation helps people recover their cremated loved ones from homes destroyed by wildfires.  Next, it's back to school season. That means many high school juniors and seniors are starting to think about college. But a maritime trade program in Clark County, Washington is charting a different course.   And finally, Dolly Parton had a direct philanthropic impact on our region… Her Imagination Library serves millions of children nationwide, including around 85-thousand in Washington state.

Finding loved ones' remains in wildfire ashes, Vancouver high school maritime program embarks on Year 2, and families reflect on impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Bumbershoot visitors will see beefed up security at Seattle Center, light rail across Lake Washington is killing fish, and three Seattle research institutions are splitting a nearly $100 million grant.

It’s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed. 

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online or on the KUOW App.

Bumbershoot visitors will see <a href="https://www.kuow.org/governing/2026-09-03/police-plan-more-staffing-at-bumbershoot-after-bite-of-seattle-shooting">beefed up security</a> at Seattle Center, light rail across Lake Washington is killing fish, and three Seattle research institutions are splitting a nearly $100 million grant.
It&rsquo;s our daily roundup of top stories from the KUOW newsroom, with host Ruby de Luna.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<a href="https://donate.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.&nbsp;
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or <a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback">leave us feedback online</a> or on <a href="https://meet.kuow.org/question/">the KUOW App.</a>

Bumbershoot visitors will see beefed up security at Seattle Center, light rail across Lake Washington is killing fish, and three Seattle research institutions are splitting a nearly $100 million grant.

Seattle Symphony's new music director loves Bach and Seattle audiences

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