The Music Of Strangers

Cristina Pato leads the other members of The Silk Road Ensemble at a performance in Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall (photo by Mickela Mallozzi).

Be sure to tune in to The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma And The Silk Road Ensemble documentary film premiering Monday, March 6th at 8pm ET on HBO!  Over the past 17 years, an extraordinary group of artists, led by Yo-Yo Ma, has come to together to celebrate the universal power of music.  Blending performance footage, interviews, behind-the-scenes film and archival clips, the film focuses on a few of the ensemble's mainstays, and their moving personal stories of passion, talent, and sacrifice.  

Kinan Azmeh of The Silk Road Ensemble

Mickela had the opportunity of meeting some of the members of The Silk Road Ensemble, including Syrian clarinetist, Kinan Azmeh, and Spanish bagpipe-player, Cristina Pato - the group's mission is very much aligned with that of Bare Feet, connecting people through the arts, specifically through music and dance.  Cristina's joy for her music (and her dancing!) are infectious and shine through her performance, while Kinan's reflection on how "music is the only way of communicating where you are speaking and listening at the same time," is poignant.  He also adds that his clarinet "was his only means of freedom," due to the political situation in his home country of Syria - watch Mickela's full interview with both musicians on her Facebook LIVE video!

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE MUSIC OF STRANGERS BELOW!

Watch the trailer for The Music of Strangers documentary film