Sophia Subbayya Vastek • Feb 15th, 2025 • 7:30pm

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Pianist and composer Sophia Subbayya Vastek, born and raised throughout the DMV area, will join us on January 25th to present an immersive solo piano program that draws from her acclaimed genre-bending album In Our Softening (“demands to be heard...” -The Crack). In each of her performances, Sophia creates experiential spaces for listening through intentional, carefully-crafted sound design in partnership with audio engineer Sam Torres. The result is a spacious piano performance that feels equal parts communal and intimate, grounded in emotional storytelling and care. The music is an invitation to listen quietly, deepening our relationship with ourselves, our communities, and with the world around us. Her music has been described as “heaven on earth” (Sun 13), "ghostly, delicate, elegant..." (Independent Clauses), and “vulnerable, exquisitely performed, and sensitive…” (I CARE IF YOU LISTEN).

Our nonprofit partner for this event will be OAR of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church. OAR is a community-based nonprofit organization that envisions a safe & thriving community where those impacted by the legal system enjoy equal civil & human rights. Through their Upstream work, they are confronting & dismantling individual racism & racism in the legal system & across all systems. Their Downstream work allows them to be on the journey with individuals returning from incarceration & their families. They also offer alternative sentencing options (including community service) and diversion programs so people can avoid the trauma of incarceration & instead help the community thrive.