Meet Silkroad's 2022 Fall Interns
We are ecstatic to introduce our five new interns who have already been working hard supporting the Silkroad artists and staff! Gabriel, Julian, Alexandra, Eve, and Elycia were picked from a pool of 74 applicants in our third round of BIPOC interns at Silkroad.
Please join us in welcoming them in our post below!
Gabriell Garcia
Artistic Programs
Gabriell Garcia is a graduate of the Oberlin College & Conservatory holding degrees in Psychology & Musical Studies and currently serves as the Silkroad’s Artistic Programs intern. As a classically-trained musician they have performance experience on the cello and violin having appeared with ensembles such as the Chicago Philharmonic and Oberlin Arts & Sciences Orchestras. In 2019 they participated in the recording of an original soundtrack to the film Thicker Than Water in association with the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Film School. In addition to performance, Gabriell has numerous academic and musical interests spanning a variety of disciplines. Most recently their focus has returned to the musical traditions and instruments of pre-modern Japanese court, social, and religious life. In their time as an undergraduate, Gabriell conducted research on emotion recognition and perception in foreign-language music. As an aspiring clinician they believe in taking a holistic approach towards client care and integrating music into mental health interventions and treatment plans.
What drives your passion for high quality arts education?
“I'd say knowing the benefits and impacts of exposure to the arts and a desire to increase access to those for traditionally underrepresented groups drives my passion.”
Alexandra Sesenton
Education
Alexandra Sesenton prides herself on being a multi-genre musician. Her career highlights include performances in opera, blues collectives, traditional folk ensembles, and recital.
Alex has participated in a number of cultural exchange projects including singing with the all female, Serbian acapella group, ROSA and participating in multiple concert series with Royal Academy Voices (London) showcasing the music of Spain and Italy. In 2016, she was the recipient of a Fulbright Study/Research grant which took place in Belgrade, Serbia. Her grant year was committed to teaching music and English to Serbian youth as well as singing with the Belgrade National Opera. Her most recent foray into anthropological and cultural studies is through a podcast she writes and co-hosts entitled Roots: A Music Podcast. The show consists of episodes that explore the folk and roots music of different cultures from around the globe.
As a musician, Alex is a firm believer in genre hopping. Although she comes from a classical background, she identifies as a genre fluid musician and as such performs a variety of different genres with a specific affinity towards blues, bluegrass, folk, and roots music. In addition to singing, she also plays guitar, piano, banjo, and cello.
Alex’s classical background spans nearly ten years and four different countries. She holds degrees from Mannes College the New School for Music, Carnegie Mellon University, and The Royal Academy of Music.
In addition to music, Alex is a yogi who enjoys running, surfing, and reading on the beach. She also loves coffee.
“What drives your passion for high quality arts education?”
“As someone who comes from a multi-ethnic background, I have always viewed the arts as a gateway into my own cultural identity. I believe that music has the power to seep through both physical and cultural borders enabling conversations across divides. To me, high quality arts education means a stepping stone to a more empathetic society.”
Elycia Woodham
Communications
Elycia Woodham is a music major and political science minor in her third year at Spelman College. Combining her love for music and social justice, she is studying to become an entertainment lawyer. She is a member of the Spelman College Glee Club where she serves as the Road/Tour manager and the Alto 1 Section leader. She is also a member of the Granddaughters’ Club. When she is not studying, she loves to sing and record music, read, or hang out with friends. As an artist, she is passionate about inclusion and diversity in the arts and is thrilled at the opportunity to work with Silkroad for the next term!
“What drives your passion for high quality arts education?”
“I have been involved in the arts my entire life, and I believe that it is a critical part of a student’s learning. The arts offer so many opportunities to people in their communities across the world. My passion for arts education comes from wanting to help young artists like myself get high quality education so that they can learn valuable life-long skills and ultimately flourish in the arts.”
Julian Gau
Development
Julian Gau is a Boston-based conductor and musician, as well as the incoming Development Intern. Currently, he is a master's student in orchestral conducting at the Boston Conservatory where he is also the opera assistant. In the past, he studied music and mathematics at Brown University. As a conductor, Julian has worked extensively with orchestras and musical theatre. He is the founder and conductor of the Boston-based Horizon Ensemble, an orchestral group with a special focus on new works by friends. Julian is also part of the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York, which performs traditional Chinese classical music.
Besides conducting, Julian also plays the piano and cello. He performs in Boston with groups such as the New England Philharmonic and also on virtual platforms such as Twitch or TikTok. Sometimes he might also be found as a percussionist, singer, composer, or music engraver.
As a young musician, Julian trained in European classical as well as Chinese classical music traditions. This flexibility of styles has led Julian to believe strongly in the diversity of culture that Silkroad promotes and represents. What better tool than music - something every culture celebrates, in some way - to unite people of all sorts of diverse backgrounds? Julian looks forward to supporting Silkroad in its upcoming projects and endeavors.
Outside of music, Julian enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with friends.
What drives your passion for high quality arts education?
“As an artist & arts administrator-in-training, I embrace the arts as vital to my way of life. I would never have gotten to this point without access to strong arts education, in and outside of school. I'm well aware of how much great arts education can impact a life. The classes I was part of, the lessons I received, and the ensembles I was able to join: all of these brought me closer to understanding my own musical passion and skills. But even had I not pursued a career in the arts, I would still have treasured these educational opportunities. Access to arts education helps all children discover ways to express themselves, practice personal qualities like focus and discipline, and find enjoyment within the hours of the day. Having known these joys of the arts firsthand, I'm dedicated to supporting organizations like Silkroad such that more children may enjoy them also.”
Eve Wodarcyk
Social Media
Eve Wodarcyk is a fiddler/violinist in her sophomore year at Arizona State University where she is pursuing a degree in digital marketing. As a lover of art, design, and music, she is interested in integrating these subjects into the world of social media and sharing her passions with as many people as possible.
Eve began playing classical violin at age 5 and realized her love for fiddling by the time she turned 16. She spent much of her high school career performing for diverse audiences with the Willow String Quartet, exploring differing styles of music and creative arranging. Whether it’s through her band or through other outlets, Eve loves bringing music education to people of all backgrounds. This past summer, she was a teaching assistant at the StringPlay music camp, where she coached young students on how to arrange songs and create original compositions. She recently performed Chaps! with the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert, Arizona, adding a country flair to her repertoire, and she spent her summer learning from musicians at the Vero Beach International Music Festival. She loves traveling and attending music camps and festivals when she can, with the goal of learning new skills and broadening her playlists.
“What drives your passion for high quality arts education?”
“The arts have always had a prominent role in my life. The educators that I have had, the music I have listened to, and the opportunities I have been exposed to have shaped who I am. Without this education, I am unsure if I would still be playing music today. As I have continued with music for many years and am slowly dipping my toes into the world of teaching and arts administration, my passion for arts equity and spreading the joy of music has grown. I wish to bring to others the same joy that music brings me, and this starts with education. The more arts education, the more art there will be in the world, and it is our responsibility as artists and musicians to share our passions with as many people as possible.”
