BRIDGING CULTURES
“Bridging Cultures” curates an annual International Concert Series with interactive community workshops to enrich and connect the lives of residents in Indiana with arts and cultures from South America and beyond.
We are dedicated to curating high-quality, diverse artistic and educational experiences allowing residents to engage directly with artists and learn about the cultural contexts of their art.
We aim to build bridges of empathy and curiosity, inspiring a more connected and unified community
in Fort Wayne and beyond.
International Concert Series & Community Workshops 2024
We brought musicians and educators, Kike Galdames and Claudio Gonzalez, to Indiana on a special P3 visa granted by the U.S. Government for renowned international artists presenting a culturally unique program.
Our International Teaching Artists gave 3 concerts and community workshops/masterclasses in 3 cities across the state of Indiana - Bloomington, North Manchester and Fort Wayne Indiana. NE Indiana Teaching Artist, Vivianne Belanger, also a flutist with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, accompanied the final performance.
Teaching Artists shared original music and poetry of Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman Nobel Prize Laureate in literature. They shared instruments unique to their Andean cultures of South American, including the Quena, Sicura cajon peruano, zampoña, and Didjiridoo. All concerts and workshops were purposefully open to the public and free of cost.
Our Teaching Artists were invited to bilingual interviews in both Spanish and English across the State, including WBOI 89.1 with Julia Meek, Conexion Latina with David Calderon, and Bloomington's HOLA Bloomington radio program. Print media coverage included articles in the Journal Gazette and the largest Spanish newspaper, El Mexicano.
This programming was made possible by Bridging Worlds Inc, in partnership with Honeywell Arts in Education, North Manchester High School, La Casa/Latino Cultural Center IU, Purdue University Ft. Wayne, Arts & Humanities Council IU, Indiana University Bloomington, PFW School of Music, Chilean Ministry of Arts and Culture, and the Gabriela Mistral Foundation in NYC.
International Concert Series & Community Workshops 2023
The Ft. Wayne based non-profit, Bridging Worlds, curated its 2nd international concert featuring Chilean artist, Daniel Delgado, who travelled to Fort Wayne all the way from the Southern Cone of the Americas. The concert took place in the beautiful Main Theatre of the Downtown Allen County Public Library. Some of Fort Wayne’s world class local musicians accompanied the composer, including Vivianne Belanger on flute, Brian Derek on bass, Tommy Saul on piano, Jose Morales and Colin Boyd on percussion and Phil Schurger on electric guitar. The Fort Wayne Dance Collective performers added their alchemy to the mix with visual interpretive dance. Daniel Delgado is a Chilean composer and guitarist. He has been recognized as one of the principal figures in the avant-garde fusion of Latin American music. Delgado has recorded two original solo albums and more than 10 albums with the internationally renowned group, Entrama. Bridging Worlds aims to build bridges and connections between local artists and artists from other cultures and countries as part of our Bridging Cultures programming.
This live music experience was free and open to the public, brought to you by Bridging Worlds Non-Profit, in partnership with the Chilean Ministry of Arts & Culture, and Allen County Public Library. If you or your company is interested in helping to support future “Bridging Cultures” concerts please contact Director@Bridgingworldsinc.com
International Concert Series & Community Workshops 2022
Guest artist Marcelo Jara, travelled to the Midwest from the Southern Cone to give a stellar performance of original music in his mother tongue. He was accompanied by some of the region's finest musicians including Michael Patterson and Brian Derek on bass, Derek Reeves on viola, Phil Schurger on guitar, and Jose Morales on percussion. The concert was made possible by generous donations of individual philanthropists and Arts Midwest. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word about this event and the work this non-profit is doing in our community, especially, WBOI FM Conexxion Latina, WANE TV, Waynedale News and El Mexicano News.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"The opportunity to attend a unique concert of this caliber here in Fort Wayne is enriching to my life on a professional level and on a personal level. It was a fusion a musical collaboration between the Chilean musician and local NE Indiana musicians.
This is a benefit to us all. Thank you”
Steve Buttes
"It is indispensable to our community to participate and to share in a cultural exchange that we would see in major cities. FW should be proud that we are hosting events that bring world class people and artists together right here in our own backyard."
Thomas Saul
"Fantastic job to all who were involved. We look forward to a continued partnership with this amazing organization, Bridging Worlds!"
Allen County Public Library
"These types of performances are so important for all the people who are searching for that sense of possibility or hope. Those little reminders change lives."
Wolfgang Young
"I enjoyed the concert very much. The compositions were of superior quality. The concert exemplified that the universal language of music transcends ethnocultural differences."
Andres Montenegro
"Such experiences lead people to unify heart to heart beyond national boundaries. The experience of people and artists coming to our town enhances the vibrancy of our city."
Shmuel Wahli
"FW Is so lucky to have an organization like Bridging Worlds to bring in such talented musicians and composers from other countries that our community would otherwise not be able to experience live. It is great to see the local talent of artists connect and perform together with artists from other parts of the world!"
Ashley Benninghoff
"Marcelo Jara comes from the land of great poets like Pablo Neruda and Gabriella Mistral. More than a concert -an experience. Captivating, intense, passionate, moving.
Thank you to Bridging Worlds for bringing Marcelo to Fort Wayne."
John Selby
"The music was so fascinating and beautiful, and performed with such excellence, that it didn't matter that -- not knowing Spanish -- I couldn't understand the words with my mind. I felt them in my heart."
Richard Koehneke
"Living in Ft. Wayne and having grown up in South America, I am thrilled to be a part of this initiative that brings forth a rich cultural exchange through diverse music from other parts of the world."
Maria Sutherland
