Meet Silkroad's 2023 Fall Interns
We are ecstatic to introduce our six new interns who have already been working hard supporting the Silkroad artists and staff! Rachel, Miguel, Ashley, Jett, Yufan, and Niloufar were picked from a pool of 106 applicants in our fifth round of Silkroad’s internship for emerging arts leaders of color.
Please join us in welcoming them in our post below!
RACHEL MCFARLANE
Social Media Intern
Rachel “Ray” McFarlane is an exceptional upcoming composer whose talent and achievements have propelled her to the forefront of the music industry at a remarkably young age. She is previously known for her collaborations with the Gryphon Trio, the Odin Quartet, and the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra.
With her compositions featured on prominent music social media platforms, such as Orchestral Tools, Eastwest Sounds, Sonuscore, and Spitfire Audio, Rachel has already made a significant impact in the digital realm. Her ability to craft captivating musical experiences in an educational way has not only garnered a devoted following but has also contributed to her growth and success as a sponsored composer.
As a Video Game Scoring and Conducting student at Berklee College of Music, Rachel is expected to leave an incredible mark on the world of music. She continues to write music for the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada.
“Can you share a specific moment or project where you felt art had the power to bring people together despite their diverse backgrounds?”
“There was this awesome community art project in Toronto that blew my mind with how art can bring people together. We wanted to jazz up this neglected public space, so we decided to turn it into an interactive art installation. We planned it out to be a real melting pot of cultures. We mixed in elements from different traditions to represent our diverse community. We figured, let's make this space a true reflection of who we all are.
As we got started with the project, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. People from all walks of life showed up to contribute. You had kids, grandpas, recent immigrants, longtime residents – you name it, they were all there, adding their artistic flair. The best part? We all bonded over this shared goal of creating something epic. We laughed, exchanged stories, and connected in ways that wouldn't have happened otherwise. It was magical.
When the big day finally came, and we unveiled the artwork, it was like a big block party. We saw neighbours high-fiving, families exploring together, and strangers becoming friends. That project opened my eyes to how art is this universal language that brings us all closer together. It made me realize that as artists, we have this superpower to create unity and understanding!”
MIGUEL PETRIS
Operations Intern
Miguel Petris is an arts administrator and horn player based in Boston, MA. In Boston he earned his Master's degree in Horn Performance from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. He believes that music is a bridge builder and is able to connect humans across the world.
Miguel has had the opportunity to work with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, The Boston Early Music Festival, and now with The Silkroad Ensemble. Through this new role, he hopes to build his knowledge in the nonprofit industry and start helping organizations like Silkroad make the world a better place through music.
“Can you share a specific moment or project where you felt art had the power to bring people together despite their diverse backgrounds?”
“In the winter of my last year of my Master's degree, I joined the Brookline Community Band. In this group, I encountered different people outside of my regular friend circles who were also studying music full time. The musicians I met there were doctors, nurses, sales people, choir directors and high schoolers! It was refreshing to be in a space where people were playing for the love of it and not just to play as perfectly as possible. My short time with this group reminded me of how powerful music is to the community building process.
The musicians who would otherwise not know each other, dedicate hours of their time to take part in a sacred ritual of knowing each other through music. The beautiful product is that the community who goes to watch the band perform get to know the musicians through the music as well. With this process, the community is built and strengthened. To me, having a community is one of the best agents of change that can help the world's biggest issues and music is the most powerful way I have found to create community."
ASHLEY JONES
Artistic Programs Intern
Ashley Victoria Jones is originally from The Bronx in New York City. In 2012 she moved to Boston, Ma. to pursue a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory.
While completing her degree in music, she’s had the opportunity to explore arts administration through multiple lenses. Ashley curated events as the president of the schools diversity club to bring awareness to cultural diversity in the arts; held a programs director and coordinator position at a performing arts camp. She has also worked for the head of the music ed department as an admin. assistant. Ashley has a passion for equity in the arts for audience members she seeks to curate events for arts deserts and BIPOC community’s that reflect the diaspora of the community while sharing in the culture through education. “Everyone has the right to access art no matter the space, as an artist I want all people to take up space in the theatre or wherever the art is happening, I’m fighting to be seen and I want people that look like me to know I’m here and I want to see them.”
Ashley also runs a private voice/piano studio, teaches at various music school throughout Boston and continues to be persistent in her pursuit of an Opera career, she currently sings with Boston Lyric Opera and Odyssey Opera.
“Can you share a specific moment or project where you felt art had the power to bring people together despite their diverse backgrounds?”
“My freshman year as a transfer student my friend convinced me to join the diversity club. Their goal was to connect students of all ethnic backgrounds and races through one common interest music and art to impact cultural awareness and create understanding. The club was fairly new but had quite a large following due the “Ujamaa Festival” each year during the month of February. This festival was used to highlight the meaning of Ujamaa “Collective work and Responsibility” to our community. It was an opportunity to showcase who you are individually through the expression of art.
I was asked to perform a poem I read to my friend one day at lunch highlighting my struggle as a black woman and the psychological weight I feel for my community. I was so certain I would be shunned, shamed, and assumed to be someone or something I never showed myself to be, but my peers proved me wrong. Everyone showed me that standing in your truth through your art is what the meaning of art is. This Ujamaa festival had west African dance, traditional fan dance, spoken word, bellydancing, and instruments from all over the world not only did I bare witness to the storytelling of each participant but in the end I no longer felt alone in my skin and my story. After this experience I became so passionate about the work of the club my friend made me president before he graduated in 2012.”
JETT ZHU
Education Programs Intern
Jett Zhu is thrilled to join the excellent team of Silkroad as an international student coming from the country where the historical Sikroad starts. He firmly believes in the transformative power of music and feels deeply honored to share the gift of music with a wider audience in his role as the incoming Education Programs Intern.
Jett is a graduate student at Boston University. He is passionately pursuing a degree and future career in Arts Administration. Prior to embarking on this journey, Jett's background was rooted in engineering; however, his love for performing arts has made him an active figure on stage as an amateur singer and actor.
Besides his performances, Jett organized various artistic and engagement events as the president of a university pop music association. Additionally, he took on the role of a vocal coach, providing valuable training sessions for actors in a student musical theater group. His other experiences include working with MusicDish, a creative and music agency dedicated to promoting live music events and indie music in China.
Multifaceted engagement with music has shaped Jett’s insight of this art form. In addition to its aesthetics and entertainment value, music is a reminder to everyone under its appeal that, at our core, we are not that different from one another. That’s why music can serve as a vehicle to transcend prejudice, discrimination, and hatred between different groups, and eventually become a strong force for social justice.
“Can you share a specific moment or project where you felt art had the power to bring people together despite their diverse backgrounds?”
“Several years ago, during my undergraduate days back in China, I participated in a music festival held on campus. The festival's unique concept brought together local students and international students who were paired up to perform together. To break the ice, the organizers arranged a karaoke night. It was arguably a good one - everybody seemed to have fun, taking turns on the microphone and sharing a little more than singing. Yet little did I know that this experience would soon prove to be so special.
Fast forward to my first semester in the US, I found myself invited to a party with classmates with whom I had never interacted before. This time, it was me who entered an unfamiliar environment where the majority were so different from me at the level of race and culture. I was in a state of anxiety and insecurity until the karaoke session started. It felt so magical with voices joining in unison. It was such a lovely moment when the music became a bridge, a universal language that dissolved barriers and reminded us that we cherished the same beat and emotions.”
YUFAN DENG
Development Intern
Yufan Deng (she/hers), a diligent student of arts administration originally from China, has dedicated her academic career to fundraising within the artistic realm. Her diverse background provides her with a broad understanding of the creative industry.
Yufan has a longstanding passion for arts, and her interests span the full spectrum of creative expression. She finds inspiration in mediums ranging from the visual beauty of paintings to the symphony of orchestra concerts, and the captivating storytelling of theater productions to the grace of ballet performances. She seeks to deepen her understanding of the arts in all its multifaceted glory.
What deeply resonated with Yufan is Silkroad’s compelling mission and unique concept. She was particularly moved by how Silkroad engaged diverse artists worldwide to create a musical language that celebrates collaboration and diversity. Yufan is thrilled at the prospect of aligning her talents with Silkroad’s noble mission. A firm believer in the transformative power of the arts, Yufan aims to leverage her skill set to contribute to making arts more accessible and sustainable.
“Can you share a specific moment or project where you felt art had the power to bring people together despite their diverse backgrounds?”
“One vivid example of art's unifying power struck me when I came across the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra's summer concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Although I wasn't physically present (I watched it online and also on DVD), the experience was deeply inspiring and connected me to people I'd never met.
The audience came from different ages, cultures, and social backgrounds, all gathered under the starlit sky, united by their interest and love for music. The orchestra's performance transcended language and cultural barriers, turning notes and melodies into a universal language that everyone could understand.
This event exemplified the fact that art isn't confined to elite galleries or theatres; it's an inclusive force that speaks to the human spirit. It was a testament to art's unique ability to transcend boundaries and touch the human soul, even when experienced through a screen. Arts unites diverse people that art can reach us wherever we are and connect us in ways we might never have anticipated.”
NILOUFAR SHIRI
Development Intern
Niloufar Shiri, composer, Iranian kamāncheh player, and educator. With a distinctive musical language and an approach to kamāncheh performance that defies convention. Her music fearlessly navigates the challenging landscape of creativity within a hostile environment to push the boundaries of artistic expression. She places special emphasis on timbral and textural components, and explores the sonic capabilities and potential of the kamancheh. Her compositions embody a captivating fusion of narratives and emotions, drawing inspiration from themes of rebirth, resistance, and empowerment.
She holds degrees from institutions such as the Tehran Music Conservatory in Iran, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of California, Irvine. She was selected as the artist in residence at Pomona College in Claremont during the Spring of 2023 and is serving as an artist in residence at the Jordan Center for Persian Studies at UC Irvine from the Fall of 2023 to 2024. Niloufar is currently the production and communication coordinator of IFCA (Iranian Female Composers Association), where she showcases her dedication to the empowerment and promotion of work by female composers in and from Iran.
“Can you share a specific moment or project where you felt art had the power to bring people together despite their diverse backgrounds?”
“In one of my previous art projects, I organized a community mural painting event at my college. The goal was to create a collaborative artwork that would reflect the diverse cultures present within the school. Students from various ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds enthusiastically came together to take part in this creative endeavor.
As we commenced painting the mural, something truly magical transpired. Students who might have never met in their daily lives were now wholeheartedly sharing their stories, ideas, and laughter. The act of painting together broke down barriers and forged a shared sense of purpose among us. Throughout the art-making process, participants developed a genuine appreciation for each other's unique perspectives and talents, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy.
The completed mural itself served as a magnificent representation of our community's unity and diversity. It emerged as a splendid mosaic, filled with an array of styles, colors, and symbols, symbolizing the beauty of our collective identity. When the mural was finally unveiled, a profound sense of pride enveloped all of us, and an overwhelming feeling of ownership and belonging to something greater than ourselves prevailed.
This experience taught me that art possesses an immense power to cultivate inclusive communities and shatter cultural barriers. It reaffirmed the significance of creative expression in fostering connections and bridging gaps among individuals from various walks of life.”