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| | | Silk Road Ensemble members Cristina Pato, Shane Shanahan, Kayhan Kalhor, Jeffrey Beecher, Joseph Gramley, Mark Suter, Colin Jacobsen, Nicholas Cords, Kojiro Umezaki (back row) and Mike Block, Jonathan Gandelsman and Wu Man (front row) at the Mondavi Center, UC Davis, in April 2011 © MAX WHITTAKER
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Silk Road Ensemble Leadership Council You might imagine that with nearly 40 performers and half again as many composers living around the world, each with his or her own career, simply communicating with everyone in the Silk Road Ensemble can pose a challenge. Each time members assemble, usually amidst a flurry of activity, the group itself is a little different. But the broad range of backgrounds, training and interests is precisely what makes the Ensemble a group committed to learning from many traditions and taking artistic risks.
We are proud to announce the formation of a new Silk Road Ensemble Leadership Council made up of artists who have agreed to take on the formidable task of keeping up with this kinetic group. Percussionist and Council leader Joseph Gramley and Council members Cristina Pato (gaita), Mike Block (cello) and Nicholas Cords (viola) were appointed to serve on the first yearly rotation. Beginning in June 2011, the council has met in person whenever possible, and—an advantage of our digital age—they have also become old hands at Skyping to stay in touch.
"As the first members of the Leadership Council," said Joe Gramley, "we are excited by this chance to streamline communication amongst the Silk Road Project's many constituencies—individuals and groups located all around the world. Our goal is to keep everyone in a kind of global loop—and to make sure all ideas and concerns are heard." While Joe as team leader looks to the big picture and acts as chief communicator with the Ensemble and the Project's offices, Nick focuses on programming—tours, special events, residency concerts—and Cristina and Mike concentrate on education, including the middle school arts integrated Silk Road Connect program and the Project's partnership with Harvard University.
"One of our first and most important jobs," said Joe, "has been helping to plan the Project's five-year residency at Harvard—an undertaking obviously important in and of itself, but one that also offers us a chance to fine tune this new structure for working together and communicating as an ensemble." To support the new Leadership Council and the activities of the Silk Road Ensemble, the Silk Road Project has hired a new staff member, whom we look forward to welcoming soon.
New Faces Liz Keller–Tripp
Silk Road Ensemble–Silk Road Project Liaison
In September, Liz Keller–Tripp will join the Silk Road Project staff in Boston as Liaison to work with the Silk Road Ensemble Leadership Council and support artistic programming as well as communications between the Project and the Ensemble. Currently Manager of Artists and Programs at Orchestra of St. Luke's in New York City, she has also worked with Musica Sacra, G. Schirmer and the Spoleto Festival USA. Liz's strong background in both arts administration and performance—she plays the flute and enjoys exploring new repertoire—impressed both the Leadership Council and the Silk Road Project administration, and we are pleased to announce her appointment to this new position.
Jessica Shuttleworth
Development Coordinator
In July, the Silk Road Project welcomed another new staff member, Jessica Shuttleworth. As Development Coordinator, Jessica supports Director of Development Chris Marrion in the fundraising that allows the Project, a nonprofit organization, to continue its artistic and educational programming. Jessica came to the Project from New York City, where she worked as Institutional Giving Coordinator at the League of American Orchestras and interned at the Lincoln Center Festival. With an undergraduate degree in voice and a masters in arts administration, Jessica also knows performance from the inside.
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