Silkroad Adds Hangzhou Location to its Global Musician Workshop

The Boston workshop, which received a record number of applications in 2024, will continue as well

For the fourth year in a row, Silkroad and the New England Conservatory (NEC) will be collaborating to present the Global Musician Workshop (GMW) this August. The workshop is a professional development program that focuses on developing skills in a wide range of musical traditions from across the world.

As well as retaining the Boston-based workshop, Silkroad has also opted to host a second workshop in Hangzhou, China, in partnership with the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. The Boston program will run from August 4-10 and the Hangzhou program from August 26-31.

The Boston workshop received a record number of applications, with 68 musicians having been selected from a pool of 218 applicants. The participants hail from 28 countries and play 32 different instruments — more than in any previous year. The program is fully funded: all tuition is underwritten by Silkroad.

The Boston workshop is directed by Silkroad cellist Mike Block, and in Hangzhou he will be joined by the renowned pipa player Wu Man.

"For our eighth year of GMW Boston, we received a record number of applications from a record number of countries," said Mike Block. "It’s truly a stunning experience for me to sift through the applications, learn about all of these amazing musicians, and watch videos of their diverse musical gifts."

"When the faculty and participants finally get to play together in-person this August, the experience will be transformational," he continued. "Our collaborative process and creative explorations also provide a mirror for our participants to learn more about who they are, both as people and as artists. Understanding ourselves better, and how we can contribute to the world around us, is a core element of the GMW experience."