In January and February 2025, we were honored to welcome two dynamic Mason Artists-in-Residence to the Center for the Arts, and our larger George Mason and Northern Virginia communities: Silkroad Ensemble and Versa-Style Street Dance Company. Residency activities were supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.
Founded by Yo-Yo Ma and now led by Pulitzer Prize- and GRAMMY Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad Ensemble completed the third year of its residency here at the Center. Silkroad operates as both a touring ensemble made up of world-class musicians from all over the globe, and as a nonprofit organization working to make a positive impact across borders through the arts. Their residency activities included:
- A lecture an demonstration as part of the Art x Peace series, co-sponsored by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. The main topics of discussion were cross-cultural collaboration, and music as a tool for social impact.
- A masterclass with students in George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music Percussion Studio.
Founded in 2005, Versa-Style Street Dance Company was created to promote, empower, and celebrate the artistry of Hip Hop and street dance culture. They’re known for electrifying performances and inspiring engagement activities with schools and local communities. Their residency activities included:
- A lecture and demonstration for students in a Global Representations of Women class, as well as those in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Part of the Art x Peace series.
- A workshop at Dance Place in Washington, D.C. Part of their Rooting the Dance series, the artists shared Hip Hop dance as a form of community connection, soul connection, and joy.
- A performance at Hunters Woods Elementary School, in which the school's teachers also participated.
- A schooltime matinee performance at the Center for the Arts for local students, who enjoyed not only incredible dancing, but also explored the historical context of street dance forms, and were invited to to get up out of their seats and dance with the company!
- A West Coast dance fundamentals workshop, led in collaboration with Lion’s Den DMV. Participants learned many of the fundamentals of street dance forms originating in California, including Popping and Krump.
“We had such a beautiful time connecting and sharing with everyone,” Versa-Style said on Instagram. “Thank you… for bringing us out and making all those amazing community connections. You were all so kind and are doing some amazing things with your communities!”
A heartfelt thank you to Versa-Style Street Dance Company and Silkroad Ensemble, as well as to everyone who participated in the activities. Your time, talent, and engagement make such a strong impact on our community. Come visit us again soon!
The Silkroad Ensemble residency was supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. The Versa-Style Street Dance Company residency was supported in part by the City of Fairfax Nonprofit Grant Program.
The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.