Miguel Petris (B.A. music, ’21) was recently selected for a prestigious internship with Silkroad—the arts, education, and social-impact nonprofit organization founded by Yo-Yo Ma in 1998. The Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble is only one of the initiatives of the organization. Silkroad’s mission is also to create new music, and foster educational and social initiatives. Silkroad “brings music, hope and healing to underserved, culturally rich, urban, rural, indigenous, and refugee communities.”

Petris is happy to be part of Silkroad’s mission and believes that music is a bridge builder and connects humans with one another across the world. He says of his work with Silkroad, “I wanted to join this internship because I am eager to learn the inner workings of nonprofits, specifically ones that work in the music industry. With the knowledge I get from this internship, I am hoping to continue working with groups like Silkroad who make a difference in the world through music.” 

Petris has also had the opportunity to work with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and the Boston Early Music Festival. He is an arts administrator and horn player based in Boston. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from UC Davis—studying horn with Pete Nowlen, lecturer in music—and a master’s degree in horn performance from the Longy School of Music of Bard College.