Onstage company
Documented collaborators
Charlotte Blake Alston is a trailblazer in orchestral storytelling, serving as the official Philadelphia Orchestra storyteller, narrator, and host since 2021, and contributing to the orchestra for over 30 years. A longtime host of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s preschool Sound All Around series since 1994, she has also guided audiences at Carnegie Hall’s Preschool program. Her work blends traditional African and African-American storytelling with live musical accompaniment, including the djembe, mbira, and the 21-string kora, creating immersive, educational experiences for listeners of all ages.