Karen Witter is a freelance writer for the Illinois Times and the former President of the Rotary Club. She moved to Springfield from Morton, IL, and attended Springfield High School. The Biology and Botany teachers there inspired her to get a degree in biological sciences.

The Illinois Symphony Orchestra is an institution based on inspiring audiences with live orchestral music. A season in the orchestra takes a lot of effort from its donors, members, and 75 musicians.

Last year, Chenoa Alamu, a talented violinist from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, started a podcast called Black, White, and in Color, to speak about social issues, spirituality, and relationships. I had the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with her about why she chooses to be...