BERKLEE GLOBAL JAZZ INSTITUTE meets KALESMA Project 14/6/2019
After three years the efforts of the humanitarian initiative Kalesma are fulfilled. The first Kalesma scholarship recipients from Kivotos tou Kosmou participate in the summer program Vocal Summit of Berklee College of Music in Boston. The children of Kalesma Project travel to Boston with the educator of Kalesma in Athens Aggeliki Toubanaki and the lyricist of the project Panagiota Fliri.
On Friday, June 14, 2019, with the great participation of Greek diaspora in Boston, was held, under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece, the welcome concert of the children at Berklee College of Music. They shared the stage of Berklee College of Music with 4 generations of Berklee Global Jazz Institute alumni and students, Managing Director Marco Pignataro and the children’s choir of Eliot School led by Stefano Marchese. The choir was headed by Aggeliki Toubanaki, who also joined the children on stage.
The Kalesma project was created by Berklee alumnus and world recognized laouto player Vasilis Kostas, who described his vision and the systematic efforts during the past three years. He also thanked the musicians, the Greek diaspora and all the friends of the initiative Kalesma, highlighting the importance of the program as it offers a new perspective to the children of Kivotos.
Kalesma is inspired by the remarkable work of Father Antonios, who founded Kivotos tou Kosmou and by the belief of its members that through the power of music the life of a child can be transformed. The first big concert of Kalesma was held in Athens at Michalis Cacoyiannis Foundation (2018).
At the end of the concert, Vasilis Kostas, announced the provision of additional scholarships for 2020. He also announced the continuation of the musical program for the children of Kivotos in Athens (Greece) with the educator of Kalesma Aggeliki Toubanaki.
