Traversing the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, Silkroad presents a brand new trio seamlessly blending three disparate narratives of language and sound. Three internationally acclaimed, genre-bending artists who each have been credited with reshaping the landscape of their respective instruments through their unique improvisational styles and compositional voices. 

Hailing from Damascus, Syria, Kinan Azmeh has been taking the international music scene by storm with his unique blending of Eastern and Western styles, bombastic improvisation and large-scale compositions for orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic and the Seattle Symphony. 

Acclaimed composer and instrumentalist Kaoru Watanabe‘s work is grounded in traditional Japanese music while imbued with contemporary jazz, improvisation, and experimental music elements, working with such figures as Laurie Anderson, Jason Moran and André 3000. 

Scottish harper and composer Maeve Gilchrist has been credited with bringing the Celtic harp to new levels of visibility through her unique improvisational and textural approach to the instrument and her collaborations with artists such as from Arooj Aftab, Yo-Yo Ma, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Esperanza Spalding. 

Through this unique collaboration, hear three very different voices in conversation with one another as they find the sweet spots of stylistic intersection, dramatic contrast and virtuosity, forging an entirely new aesthetic that feels as organic as can be.

Next / Now brings a new wave of artists from NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music to Guild Hall for a night of original performance, hosted by JD Samson and Jeff Peretz. The program spotlights a generation pushing boundaries across sound, storytelling, and technology.

From stripped-back songwriting to genre-defying production and globally inspired musical traditions, the evening captures music in motion—fresh, in-progress, and happening right now. It’s a rare chance to experience artists at a pivotal moment, before what comes next.

Featuring Nora Conlon, an East End–based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work blends folk and alternative rock with a focus on lyrical vulnerability and dynamic live performance; Sofia D’Angelo, a New York–based pop artist whose recent single “Time” topped a Billboard fan poll and signals a breakout solo moment; Halima, a queer artist, singer, songwriter, and producer whose sound draws from soul, electronic, alternative, and East African influences to create deeply personal and globally resonant music, earning her recognition as a singular voice and icon within queer music communities; and Ben Lapidus, a songwriter and musical comedian known for blending satire and sincerity across pop, punk, folk, and beyond. A viral favorite online, Lapidus gained national attention on America’s Got Talent with his unforgettable “Parmesan Cheese” performance and has continued to build a following through sharp songwriting and offbeat humor.