“What if we let the art around us infuse and inspire our creativity?” —Matt Goldstein, Gaia Music Collective
Join Gaia Music Collective as they bring CircleSinging to MoMA in response to the exhibition Otobong Nkanga: Cadence. CircleSinging is a spontaneous, participatory vocal jam, sung by all of us and led by a facilitator in the middle of the circle who invents parts, teaches improvised harmonies, and shapes the music as we flow from meditative moments to vibrant dance parties to heartfelt anthems and everything in between.
All are welcome. No prior singing experience is expected. This event is free, but RSVP is required.
Gaia Music Collective is a New York City–based creative community seeking to foster a more connected world through collective music making. Founded in June 2021 by Matt Goldstein in a living room in Brooklyn, this project was born out of a desire to create accessible, inclusive, playful spaces for people to explore connection, expression, healing, and release through collaborative song—spaces where folks feel empowered to make music free of judgment or expectation, and to make new friends as our full, beautiful, authentic selves. We believe that communal music-making is a fundamental human practice, and this project seeks to build spaces for folks to nurture their relationship to music, whether they’re shower singers, professional musicians, or anything in between. All are welcome in this community: all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, classes, religions, abilities, national origins, languages, and musical experiences. All we ask is that you bring an open mind, a desire to connect, and a willingness to leave judgment of self and others at the door.
Facilitators
Matt Goldstein is an award-winning arranger, facilitator, improviser, songwriter, and educator who is known for his emotive vocal arrangements, soulful singing, heart-forward facilitation, and visionary leadership. He currently serves as Gaia’s co-director and lead facilitator, while also performing as an improviser and singer-songwriter, directing at A Cappella Academy, leading Rock Voices (a community pop-rock choir), and teaching vocal improv intensives through Flow Labs.
Zahara is a Grammy- and Emmy-nominated musician, educator, and arts entrepreneur. A versatile vocalist with roots in Kerala, India, she is known as a visionary who delivers on big dreams. Zahara is a seasoned recording and touring artist, composer, pianist, voice-over actor, public speaker, TV personality, and bona fide sari connoisseur. She is founder and director of the Grammy-nominated Berklee Indian Ensemble, a viral phenomenon with over 300 million views, renowned for its signature global Indian sound and world-class productions.
Tracy LJ Robertson is a vocalist, educator, arranger, and vocal percussionist who enjoys working in a variety of musical settings. While studying at Berklee College of Music he performed in ensembles of global influence, from Balkan to contemporary Indian, to Latin, to Western classical and jazz. He has since performed and recorded with a range of artists, including Bobby McFerrin, Valerie Simpson, Justin Timberlake, Sabrina Carpenter, Andy Grammer, Michael Bublé, and Billie Eilish.
Accessibility
The Lauder entrance has a power-assist door. Seating options include gallery stools and gallery benches. Wheelchairs and rollators are available by request at all Museum entrances on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible and all-gender restrooms are located on Floor 1.
Guide dogs and other trained service animals are always welcome.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and live captioning (CART) are available for public programs upon request with two weeks’ advance notice. MoMA will make every effort to provide accommodation for requests made with less than two weeks’ notice. Please contact [email protected] to make a request for these services.
The Adobe Foundation is proud to support equity, learning, and creativity at MoMA.
Access and community programs at MoMA are supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
Major funding is provided by the Agnes Gund Education Endowment Fund for Public Programs, the Jeanne Thayer Young Scholars Fund, and the Annual Education Fund.