Music and Human Connection with Vijay Gupta

Music and Human Connection brings together MacArthur Fellow Vijay Gupta, cellist Danielle Cho, and pianist Ellen Hwangbo for an afternoon combining chamber music, personal storytelling, and conversation. The program considers how music can foster connection, resilience, purpose, and a deeper understanding of one another beyond the concert hall.

Gupta, a violinist, author, and speaker who was the youngest musician appointed to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, founded Street Symphony to bring live music to shelters, clinics, jails, and other Los Angeles communities. His memoir, *Restrung: A Memoir of Music and Transformation*, explores achievement, burnout, service, and personal change. The program pairs those ideas with Bach’s C-major Sonata, Mendelssohn’s C-minor Piano Trio, and a new work by Vietnamese American composer Oswald Huỳnh. Cho is assistant principal cellist of the Washington National Opera and director of Sound Impact, while Hwangbo is Constellations’ artistic director.

When: October 18, 2026

Showtimes: 3:00–5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 18

Format: Virtual and in-person event

Lineup: Vijay Gupta, Danielle Cho, and Ellen Hwangbo

Program: Music by Bach and Mendelssohn, including Bach’s C-major Sonata and Mendelssohn’s C-minor Piano Trio, along with a new work by Oswald Huỳnh. The performance is interwoven with discussion and stories about music’s ability to transform lives.

Tickets: General admission is $65 and includes a signed copy of Vijay Gupta’s *Restrung: A Memoir of Music and Transformation*. Student admission with valid identification is $35 and also includes the signed book. Those who already own the memoir may contact the presenter about purchasing a ticket without the book.

Run time: The scheduled event lasts two hours, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Ages: No age restriction is listed.

Venue: Constellations Music Salon, 8817 Belmart Road, Potomac, MD 20854

Presented by: Constellations Chamber Concerts

Accessibility: No accessibility information is currently available for this event.