Science Center Plaza resonates with melodic sounds

The rhythmic flow of melodies enveloped the Science Center Plaza on May 3 as a throng of students from visiting artist Steven “Rhythm” Garcia‘s Office for the Arts Dance Program course “House” danced freely to the music, mixed by DJ Luna del Flor. Abruptly, the music paused — and members of The Kuumba Singers along with the Harvard Choruses started performing “This Little Light of Mine.” A rich, deep bass-baritone voice resonated above the crowd, as opera singer Davóne Tines ’09, honored with the 2025 Harvard Arts Medal, stepped forward to deliver a powerful solo.

As Tines’ concluding note disappeared into the air, Abe Joyner-Meyers ’22, a sound engineer at American Repertory Theater, took up the melody on his banjo. He quickly partnered with the Arts Fest Jazz Band, which burst into “When the Saints Go Marching In,” leading a procession of spectators into the adjacent tent and officially commencing the Harvard Arts Festival’s Performance Fair.

The yearly spring celebration of the arts dominated stages, galleries, and various locations across Harvard’s campus. This annual festival, orchestrated by the Office for the Arts at Harvard, featured nearly 2,000 participants, comprising students, faculty, staff, and alumni, across 150 occasions, involving public concerts, theatrical displays, and interactive art-making sessions.

“This truly represents the culmination of creative endeavors that have been taking place across our campus during the preceding year,” Fiona Coffey, director of the OFA, expressed to the crowd in the plaza tent. “This is a moment when we need joy, resilience, community, and togetherness more than ever. … I believe that the arts serve as a remarkable means to elevate one another and humanity during tough times.”

Adam Bartholomew ’26, a molecular and cellular biology major, alongside Elizabeth Bennett ’26, a music major with a minor in government, guided the Harvard College Steelpan Ensemble through an emotive rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” famously performed by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Bartholomew, a participant in the Harvard-Berklee Joint Studies program who has played steelpan since childhood in Trinidad and Tobago, stated that performing with the instrument at Harvard has long been a cherished aspiration.

“As we set out to form this ensemble over the past two years, we envisioned playing at Arts Fest once we kicked it off,” Bartholomew remarked. “Seeing it finally become a reality is an incredibly fulfilling feeling.”

In Holden Chapel, Ethan Chaves ’26, a joint concentrator in music and philosophy, showcased original pieces for solo viola influenced by the concept of the Jungian shadow. It was a busy day for Chaves, who also performed with the Brattle Street Chamber Players in Adolphus Busch Hall earlier and had an original choral work, “Exultation is the going,” premiered by the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum at Memorial Church later that day. Chaves, enrolled in the Harvard-New England Conservatory Dual Degree program, indicated that the festival offers students the chance to explore new creative projects.

“It’s enjoyable because it’s so frenetic; there are constantly around 80 events happening simultaneously,” Chaves commented, “It’s wonderful to witness friends showcase different talents than they usually would and experiment with works in progress not often seen.”

President Alan Garber presented Tines with the Harvard Arts Medal during a ceremony on May 4 in Lowell Lecture Hall. During his address, Garber reminisced about standing next to the award-winning opera artist as he mesmerized the audience in Tercentenary Theatre with his performance of “Lift Ev’ry Voice” at Harvard’s 2019 Commencement.

“Art expresses truth in multifaceted and distinct ways,” Garber articulated. “It expands our hearts alongside our minds. At its best, it drives us to enhance our comprehension and broaden our viewpoints. It encourages us to appreciate the world and one another in novel ways, fostering the potential for compassion and understanding, for genuine and lasting connection.”

“““html
class=”wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex”>