(New York, NY)—On 13, September, 2024, Polaris Dawn 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 young musicians in six countries around the world (Venezuela, Brazil, Uganda, Sweden, Haiti, and the United States), including students from Dream Orchestra, Sweden. 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 at: https://polarisprogram.com/dawn/.
“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.”
“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,” said 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.”
“We are very grateful to the Polaris Program and El Sistema USA for allowing us to be part of this movement that breaks barriers. Dream Orchestra helps us remember that dreaming should have no limits and we can make music even in space if we want to,” says Ron Davis Alvarez, artistic director and founder of Dream Orchestra.
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 Dream Orchestra, 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.
About Dream Orchestra
Dream Orchestra is an orchestra for everyone. Founded in 2016, it has welcomed more than 400 refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants from more than 25 countries, native Swedes, children, young people and families. Fostering respect for the differences, whether that be age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity or religion, this musical community promotes inclusion and peaceful coexistence. Free of charge and with its doors open all year, anyone is welcome to join this joyful and safe place. Learn more at www.dreamorchestra.se
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 space flights on human health, and test Starlink laser-based communications in space. Learn more at polarisprogram.com/dawn/.
