An out-of-this world musical journey!
Violinist and Polaris Dawn Mission Specialist, astronaut Sarah Gillis, performed the first-ever violin piece FROM SPACE, accompanied by BLUME Haiti cellists and El Sistema USA music students from six countries to create a breathtaking musical performance that spans both the Earth and the stars.- WOW! This extraordinary collaboration brings together diverse cultures and sounds, proving that music truly knows no boundaries—even in space!
Astronaut Sarah Gillis at the end of her performance of "Rey's Theme" on the Dragon Spacecraft
On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Polaris Dawn launched its Dragon spacecraft. During the five days in space, Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, an accomplished musician and SpaceX engineer-turned-astronaut, performed Rey’s Theme by composer John Williams on her specially-made violin while in orbit aboard the Dragon spacecraft, launching her campaign to raise support for music education back on Earth. Her music selection, fittingly, was a piece from the film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Gillis was joined in performance by youth musicians in six countries around the world (Venezuela, Brazil, Uganda, Sweden, Haiti, and the United States), including cellists from programs affiliated with BLUME Haiti. All of the young instrumentalists study music with organizations belonging to the international El Sistema network.
The video of Sarah’s performance is the first-of-its-kind download from space via SpaceX’s
Starlink satellite constellation and is layered with other performances captured around the world. The full music moment can be viewed here.
One World...
“My mother was a music teacher and one of my biggest champions. It is because of her that I received classical training on the violin, and it is because of my music education that I became the engineer and astronaut I am today,” said Gillis. “The focused discipline, work ethic, and creative instincts I honed through studying violin set me on the path that led to my extraordinary adventure into space.”
"It is a thrill to be involved in this marvelous project, using the Polaris Dawn Mission to bring awareness about the importance of music education to people across the globe," said Janet Anthony, BLUME Haiti executive director. In Haiti - a country with a rich legacy of arts and culture - potential is everywhere, but the barriers to success are steep. BLUME Haiti embraces this challenge, harnessing the transformative power of music to help thousands of Haitian students, educators, performers, and creators strengthen their communities. Building Leaders Using Music Education fosters relationships among musicians in Haiti and globally, places people at the center of its mission, engages with musical and educational networks within the country and across the diaspora, and nurtures a thriving, interconnected community poised for long-term growth and success.
“We are so thankful to the Polaris Program for choosing to leverage this historic moment, when all eyes are trained on their inspiring activities in space, to advocate for young people and music education back on Earth,” remarked El Sistema USA Executive Director Elizabeth Moulthrop. “El Sistema USA works to ensure every child has access to a high-quality music education and to a supportive community that nurtures their sense of belonging and possibility. We were thrilled to help coordinate this performance opportunity with our international partners around the world to highlight the global reach and impact of the El Sistema model and high quality music education for all.”
Sarah Gillis rehearsing on earth before setting out for space
Gillis’ performance from space with music students around the world is her second time collaborating on a project with El Sistema USA (ESUSA). Earlier this spring, ESUSA released A Musician’s Guide to Reaching for the Stars, an online curriculum developed in partnership with Gillis and the Polaris Program, available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
A free resource available for use by music teachers, science teachers, caregivers at home, and adults working with children in a variety of settings, the curriculum encourages students to explore the connections between music and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), as well as social-emotional skills. The curriculum offers five Mission Prep Zone Modules, each with a fun Challenge activity students can try.
The network of El Sistema-affiliated programs around the world, including that of BLUME Haiti, draw inspiration from the music education model of El Sistema, founded in Venezuela by José Antonio Abreu and championed by world-renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The model prioritizes ensemble-based music learning, holistic youth development, free or low-cost tuition, and frequent instruction (5-10+ hours per week) across multiple years.
Polaris Dawn Cello Group in Cap Haitian, Haiti, celebrating their participation in this wonderful project
About BLUME Haiti Using music as a tool for social change, BLUME Haiti harnesses the transformative power of music to help thousands of Haitian students, educators, performers, and creators strengthen their communities throughout the country. Serving both urban and rural populations, initiatives include grant programs for music schools and summer camps, skills development for teachers and administrators, acquisition of instruments and supplies, concert presentations, and career training. We envision a Haiti where successive generations of leaders unleash the creative, economic, and civic potential of their nation. Learn more at www.blumehaiti.org/
About El Sistema USA El Sistema USA (ESUSA) works to ensure every child has access to high-quality music education that celebrates their voice and potential by building a national network of member organizations and educators. With over 140 member programs, 6,000 teaching artists, and 25,000 students, we support our network with staff development and training, research and data, student leadership programs, and advocacy for the field. ESUSA is committed to equity and excellence in music education. We envision a world in which every child—regardless of income, geography, or identity—has access to a high-quality music education program that builds community, opportunity, and personal growth. Our model emphasizes programs with free or low-cost tuition, frequent instruction (5-10+ hours per week), and ensemble-based learning. Learn more at www.elsistemausa.org.
About Polaris Dawn The Polaris Program seeks to demonstrate important operational capabilities that will help further human space exploration to the moon, Mars and beyond. The program will begin with Polaris Dawn before culminating with the first human spaceflight on SpaceX’s Starship. The Polaris Dawn crew will spend up to five days on-orbit aboard the Dragon spacecraft, during which they will endeavor to reach the highest Earth orbit ever flown, perform the first commercial spacewalk, conduct research to increase understanding of the impact on long-duration spaceflights on human health, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space. Learn more here: Polaris Dawn Mission
