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A man with his mule going toward a river.

© ALEX SIEVERS

Why the Silk Road?
This historic trade network provides a namesake-worthy metaphor for the Silk Road Project's vision of connecting artists and audiences around the world. Yo-Yo Ma has called these routes, which resulted in the first global exchange of scientific and cultural traditions, the "Internet of antiquity." The Silk Road Project takes inspiration from this age-old tradition of cross-cultural exchange.

Mike Block

COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

"Mike Block's witty songs, entertaining cello accompaniment and delicious arco solos are absolutely engaging."

- MARK O’CONNOR

Mike Block

Cello (United States) In addition to playing with the Silk Road Ensemble, Mike Block plays in many genres and groups, including his own band for which he sings and writes. The Mike Block Band created two studio albums in 2008, Get In Line and Greetings From the B Side.

Block performs regularly with Grammy Award-winning fiddler and composer Mark O'Connor as the cellist in his Appalachia Waltz Trio (classical/folk crossover), and is also a member of Kristjan Jarvi's Absolute Ensemble (jazz/world/classical crossover), the Sirius String Quartet (modern improv/crossover), the Hanneke Cassel Band (celtic fiddle), and Bassam Saba’s New York Arabic Orchestra.

Block has also played regularly with the Flux Quartet, the Knights Chamber Ensemble, Argento New Music Ensemble, and the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York. He has recorded on albums for Lenny Kravitz, Joe Zawinul, The Working Title, Jaymay, and has performed on CBS and VH1 with Teddy Geiger, as well as NPR's St. Paul Sunday Morning with the Appalachia Waltz Trio.

A graduate of the Juilliard School and the Cleveland Institute of Music, Block studied with cello teachers Richard Aaron, Joel Krosnick, and Darrett Adkins. Block also trained with Pamela Devenport to become a Suzuki teacher.

In the summers, Block regularly teaches and performs at many festivals, including both of Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Camps, the Kansas City Cello Clinic, and the Swannanoa Gathering.