Silkroad (The Silk Road Project, Inc.)
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 cultural collaboration and high quality arts education to help build 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 through training workshops and residency programs in schools, universities, prisons, and indigenous and refugee communities.www.silkroad.org
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Search complete. 41 mentions across 4 episodes found for "Silkroad (The Silk Road Project, Inc.)".
Oct 22, 2026
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
So it's a very interesting combination of freedom and following.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
Welcome to Sanctuary from Silk Road in PRX.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
I'm Rhiannon Giddens, Artistic Director of Silk Road.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
We are a collective of musicians from around the world collaborating on music that transcends boundaries.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
Each of our members has a unique musical background they bring to our performances, along with their traditional instruments and songs.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
For this season of our podcast, we are celebrating our current program, Sanctuary, the Power of Resonance and Ritual.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
In the Sanctuary Project, we're sharing musical healing practices from the different traditions of our Silk Road members.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
And traditions aren't always traditional.
Réka GauthierHOST
She was a member of Germany's renowned Artemis Quartet.
Réka GauthierHOST
She performed with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project.
Réka GauthierHOST
She was the violist of the Avalon String Quartet and founded the Amelia Piano Trio with her husband, Jason Duckles.
Réka GauthierHOST
A passionate educator, she's taught, among many places, at the Berlin University of the Arts, the Queen Elizabeth Music Chapel in Brussels, and the Curtis Institute of Music, where she herself studied.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
When you're grieving or in pain, where do you turn? Think of the times you found comfort in a song or been uplifted experiencing music with others.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
[upbeat music] Welcome to Sanctuary from Silkroad and PRX.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
I'm Rhiannon Giddens, artistic director of Silkroad.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
We are a collective of musicians from around the world collaborating on music that transcends boundaries.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
Each of our members has a unique musical background that they bring to our performances, along with their traditional instruments and songs.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
It's how we deal with loss, strengthen connections, and restore balance.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
Ritual, trance, and resonance are our human responses to a deeply unsettled world.
Rhiannon GiddensHOST
Through our Sanctuary tour, engagement events with communities across the US, and this podcast, our Silkroad members are sharing different musical healing practices from their cultures.
Carmel HoltHOST
She also composed for ballet and film and put out two albums with Francesco Teresi, There Is No Other in 2019, and the Grammy-winning 2021 album They're Calling Me Home.
Carmel HoltHOST
In 2020, she became artistic director of Silk Road, taking over for Yo-Yo Ma.
Carmel HoltHOST
She also hosts her own show on PBS, My Music with Rhiannon Giddens.
Carmel HoltHOST
She's hosted a podcast with the Metropolitan Opera called Aria Code.
Carmel HoltHOST
You're always doing so many things.
Carmel HoltHOST
So I made a little list because there is so much to catch up on.
Carmel HoltHOST
You did American Railroad with the Silk Road Ensemble.
Carmel HoltHOST
Let's not forget your appearance on Beyonce's album, Cowboy Carter.