Convergence Initiative

What is Convergence?

The Albany Symphony, long known for celebrating the breadth of American culture through new music, continues its community-building work with Convergence, a three-year collaborative project through which the Symphony, Capital Region communities, and nationally acclaimed artistic partners join together in an exploration of three Black American art forms. Funded by the Carl E. Touhey Foundation, Convergence will build community-wide awareness of our contemporary world through artistic inquiry and musical creation.

The Albany Symphony embraces Convergence as important work to become an ever-more inclusive and welcoming organization, and to ensure the Symphony’s long-term vitality and relevance to the greater community.

Director of Education & Community Engagement Jae Gayle had a chance to discuss the Convergence Initiative with Marsha Lazarus for Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Who Is Involved?

The Albany Symphony is excited to announce that the following extraordinary artistic innovators are collaborating with the Albany Symphony as Convergence Curating Artists for this three-year project:

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Marc Bamuthi Joseph

Spoken Word Artist, Arts Activist, Vice-President and Artistic Director of Social Impact at the Kennedy Center

Regina Carter

Jazz and Multi-Genre Violinist, MacArthur Fellow, 2023 NEA Jazz Master

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Adia Whitaker

Afro-Haitian and Contemporary Dancer, Artistic Director of Àṣẹ Dance Theatre Collective

The Curating Artists will guide and provide the framework for the participation of Albany Symphony musicians, board members, staff, community partners, local artists, and Capital Region students and teachers in the Convergence journey.