VOICES THROUGH MUSIC: Stories from International Artists

Explore how international musicians use music, storytelling, and shared experiences to build bridges across cultures and connect the world. Music is more than performance. It is a reflection of identity, culture, memory, and lived experience. It carries traditions across generations, tells stories that transcend borders, and creates connections between people who might otherwise never meet. As part of Vivaldi by Candlelight, Utah Global Diplomacy invites you to an intimate evening of conversation, storytelling, and live music featuring the internationally acclaimed musicians behind this year's concert. Moderated by Gerald Elias, violinist, author, and educator, Voices Through Music brings together five international artists from New Zealand, Peru, Brazil, Germany, and Italy for a conversation about the music that has shaped their lives and the experiences that have influenced their artistic journeys. Featured International Artists: • Peter Gjelsten – New Zealand • Cristhian Jahir Requejo Jimenez – Peru • Gabriel Niebuhr – Brazil • Valentina Scheldhofen Ciardelli – Italy / Germany • Federico Galieni – Italy Through a moderated conversation, the musicians will reflect on growing up with music in their home countries, the traditions and artists that influenced them, and the ways their cultural backgrounds shape their identities as performers. They will also discuss their experiences collaborating across national and cultural boundaries, the challenges and rewards of performing internationally, and how music can foster understanding between people from different parts of the world. The evening will also feature live musical demonstrations, with each artist sharing a brief solo connected to their cultural heritage, personal journey, or artistic identity. Following each performance, musicians will offer insight into the significance of their selections and the stories behind the music, giving audiences an opportunity to experience the personal connections between music and culture firsthand. The program will conclude with an audience Q&A, inviting attendees to engage directly with the musicians and explore the role of artistic collaboration and cultural exchange in building connections across communities. Rather than examining cultural diplomacy through history or policy, Voices Through Music offers a firsthand look at diplomacy in action. Through shared stories, artistic expression, and meaningful dialogue, audiences will discover how musicians build bridges across cultures and create connections that extend far beyond the concert stage. Join us for an evening celebrating music as a universal language and the power of cultural exchange to bring people together. This program is presented as part of Utah Global Diplomacy's World Affairs Speaker Series and in conjunction with Vivaldi by Candlelight.