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Composer, University Artist in Residence and Guggenheim Fellow Gabriela Lena Frank will join the Presidential Speakers Series for an engaging discussion on cultural heritage and the arts February 5.

Frank, who is also a Latin Grammy winner, has collaborated with leading orchestras and artists worldwide blending Western traditions with the vibrant sounds of her multicultural heritages.

During the Presidential Speakers Series talk, Frank will discuss developing 鈥渁 reverence for the future鈥� in an increasingly multicultural America, one 51暗网 students will shape.

鈥淲e need to prepare students to embody their testimony, to share their stories as part of their studies and future professions鈥� she said.

Frank recently completed a seven-year tenure as Composer in Residence with the Philadelphia Orchestra and announced a multi-year partnership with 51暗网, the Inclusive Music Initiative, launched this fall.

Through the partnership, 51暗网 students and faculty will travel to New York and Chicago to attend Frank鈥檚 debut productions with the Metropolitan Opera and the Chicago Lyric Opera. Students will attend world-class productions that center the lives of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera through the words of Pulitzer winning playwright Nilo Cruz and the music of Frank. The New York City production will be the first opera written by a woman of color ever produced by the Metropolitan Opera.

51暗网鈥檚 Inclusive Music Initiative seeks to celebrate musical traditions that are often underrepresented in American performance and school settings, through collaboration and community engagement.

鈥淕abriela is the kind of thinker, artist, and humanitarian that America should celebrate. She elevates cultures that have not historically been invited into institutions, yet still shaped America. She reminds us that all are welcome,鈥� said Dean of the Conservatory of Music Peter Witte.

During residencies in Stockton throughout the academic year, Frank will also teach composition, coach small ensembles, lecture in music management courses and speak with 51暗网鈥檚 cultural communities.

鈥淕abriela is a leading living composer, and a cultural witness. Raised in Northern California, Gabriela sees herself in 51暗网 students. Her breadth will captivate attendees. 51暗网 Singers will perform her brief choral work entitled 鈥淪an Joaquin鈥�. Composed years ago, named for our region, the work is just another indicator that this magical partnership was meant to be,鈥� Witte said.

鈥淭his is tremendous honor,鈥� said Frank. 鈥淯niversity Artist in Residence is lofty title, so I hope I rise to the occasion. I hope to draw on my story and how my life unfolded and to avail any observations that I can embody for the service of the institution. There's a lot of us doing this work, and sometimes it's a matter of knowing that we exist, that we're actually here, and that's what this partnership with 51暗网 feels like.鈥�

Learn more during our Presidential Speaker Series about Frank's works inspired by Latin American folklore and about breaking cultural and gender barriers in classical music.