A reflection on BAAM’s Inaugural Berlin Transatlantic Composers Workshop -
By Kira G. Alvarez
August 19, 2025 - In a world increasingly divided by borders, crises, and conflicts, the role of music in cultural exchange serves as a vital bridge, connecting communities separated by geography, politics, and culture. In 2020, during the early months of the pandemic, American conductor Garrett Keast launched the Berlin Academy of American Music (BAAM), an orchestra that brings American music to Europe and connects musicians from both continents through performances and premieres. The ensemble fosters artistic relationships rooted in the distinct classical music traditions of the U.S. and Europe.…
July 9, 2025 - What happens when an American conductor settles in Berlin and starts imagining a different kind of orchestra—one that reflects both where he comes from and where classical music could go? That’s the story behind the Berlin Academy of American Music (BAAM), a dynamic ensemble founded by conductor Garrett Keast during one of the most uncertain moments in recent history.…
FEATURE - ARTIST HIGHLIGHT
GET CLASSICAL:
TRANSATLANTIC MUSIC MAN
7. January 2023 - Get Classical: …uncover and explore the vast soundscape of American Music in Berlin's classical music scene…Keast takes a post-pandemic moment to reflect on his life as a musician that bridges both continents' traditions and expands on the inclusive character of social justice with music…