"We are a collective; we do not speak with one voice, but we do share one aim - humanity, peace, and love for all. By any metric what has been happening around the world is horrific and it has forced us to confront who we are as an organization, and who we want to be. We all grieve for the terrible things happening to innocent people but also must recognize that the systemic issues in place allowing and encouraging violence against our fellow humans is large, complicated, interconnected, and needs so much more than we can do alone. We are artists, we lead with art, and we hope to continue to inspire, challenge, and confront the best and worst of our species with the talents and creative beauty we have been given. There are many ways of speaking - and we must speak - with every note, every sound, every beat we have within us, as we come beautifully and musically together despite distance, different languages, approaches, trainings and expectations - what Silkroad does is radical and shall remain radical; and art, in its purest sense, rejects the inhumanity of violence and demands that we see each other as we see ourselves. That way, and that way only, is the path to transformative change - and we stand for nothing less.”
– Rhiannon Giddens, Artistic Director
ABOUT US
Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid globalization resulted in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he recognized the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration – for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a new artistic idiom: a musical language founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world.
This initial gathering of artists was rooted in a simple, initial question: “What happens when strangers meet?” And thus Silkroad was born, as both a touring ensemble comprised of world-class musicians from all over the globe, and a social impact organization working to make a positive impact across borders through the arts.
Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad creates music that engages difference, sparking radical cultural collaboration and passion-driven learning for a more hopeful and inclusive world. What does this look like?
The Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble — Silkroad thrills audiences worldwide with a collective of artists representing dozens of nationalities and artistic traditions, demonstrating how great beauty can emerge from great difference.
Creation of new music — Silkroad builds upon a musical language founded in difference and collaboration that draws on the rich tapestry of world traditions that make up our many-layered contemporary identities.
Social impact initiatives — Silkroad brings music, hope, and healing to underserved, culturally rich, urban, rural, indigenous, and refugee communities.
Educational partnerships — Silkroad uses the arts to ignite passions and foster education in students, teachers, and musicians through training workshops and residency programs in public schools, universities, prisons, and indigenous and refugee communities.
SUBSCRIBE
CONTACT
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 35460
Brighton, MA 02135 USA
For Silkroad Ensemble Management Inquiries:
Alex Kadvan, Noelle Panepento, Megan Frestedt
Red Light Management
For Silkroad Ensemble Booking Inquiries:
Scott Mello | smello@opus3artists.com
Opus 3 Artists
For Press:
Camille Cintrón Devlin
pr@camillecdevlin.com
For All Other Inquiries:
hello@silkroad.org
BRING SILKROAD TO
YOUR COMMUNITY
Interested learning more about Silkroad? Contact us at hello@silkroad.org.