Silkroad is a program founded by American-Chinese cellist Yo-Yo Ma in 1998. When creating Silkroad, Ma wanted to express his belief that even division brings fresh opportunities for working in unison. Wanting to expand on this dynamic, Ma designed this program that continues to strengthen through the collaboration of artists from different cultures and genres that could be brought together and displayed through various performances.
The Silkroad program still stays true to the beliefs as it ignites the flame of musical collaboration that aims for a more inclusive world. The Silkroad organization has an ensemble that has recorded eight CDs and their 2009 CD, “Off the Map”, was nominated for Best Classical Crossover Album category at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011.
The Silkroad Ensemble is a musical collective and a part of Silkroad. The ensemble is a loose collective of as many as 59 musicians, composers, arrangers, visual artists, and storytellers from Eurasian cultures.
On Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, flutist and percussionist Kauro Watanabe joined forces with Balla Kouyate alongside students at the Boston Conservatory to present a mix of classical, traditional African, and Japanese pieces. This performance focused on a mix of these different cultures as a symbol of unity, staying true to Yo-Yo Ma’s mission when founding Silkroad.
Kaoru Watanabe (Left) poses for a photo alongside Balla Kouyaté (Right), surrounded by some of the students from the Boston Conservatory: Celebrating an amazing performance. JACOB FUENTES 
Balla Kouyaté (left) and Kauto Watanabe (right) pose for a photo after unifying various distinct music genres in one powerful performance. JACOB FUENTES 
String Ensemble and students from the Boston Conservatory play in unison alongside Balla Kouyaté as he adds with his Shekere, contributing to the variety of music genres displayed throughout the performance. JACOB FUENTES 
Additional students at the Boston Conservatory stand to the side, waiting to join Kaoru Watanabe. JACOB FUENTES 
Three members of the string section wait and observe as the fourth closes their eyes and fully embraces her solo. JACOB FUENTES 
Traditional African Balafon stands with the traditional and modern bass guitar, symbolizing the duality displayed through Kouyate’s and Watanabe’s partnership. JACOB FUENTES 
Balla Kouyate plays the balafon, an instrument passed down through his family since the 13th century. JACOB FUENTES 
Kaoru Watanabe gives a powerful cry as he plays the Taiko Drum with two different-sized drumsticks, simultaneously delivering two discrete sounds. JACOB FUENTES 
Kaoru Watanabe performs a flute solo as he continues to present the Japanese culture portrayed through his music. JACOB FUENTES
