“We All Speak Music”: Global Orchestra Brings a Joyful Multicultural Family Concert to Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood

Music has long served as one of humanity’s most universal languages—capable of crossing borders, cultures, and generations in ways few other art forms can achieve. On March 21, families across South Jersey will have the opportunity to experience that universal language firsthand as the internationally inspired program “All Around This World” brings its vibrant global music celebration to Perkins Center for the Arts.

The event, often presented under the title “We All Speak Music: A Global Concert for Kids,” will feature the energetic ensemble known as the All Around This World Global Orchestra All-Stars, a collective of musicians representing traditions from across the globe. Designed specifically for children and their families, the concert transforms the stage into an interactive cultural journey where audiences don’t simply listen—they participate.

From Brazilian rhythms and Balkan melodies to Chinese string traditions and Senegalese storytelling music, the performance invites young audiences to discover the world through sound, movement, and shared musical exploration.

The free family concert represents one of the most unique cultural experiences currently taking place in New Jersey’s thriving arts community.

A Global Music Adventure Designed for Families

At the heart of the program is Philadelphia-based musician and educator Jay Sand, the creative force behind the internationally recognized children’s music initiative All Around This World.

Sand developed the program with a simple yet powerful mission: introduce children to the world’s cultures through music. Over time, the initiative has evolved into a large-scale educational and performance platform that now includes more than 300 songs representing musical traditions from across the globe.

Unlike traditional children’s concerts, the experience is designed to be fully interactive.

Children are encouraged to sing, dance, clap rhythms, and even meet the musicians performing the music. Through playful participation, young audiences begin to understand how different cultures express identity, history, and celebration through sound.

The result is a concert experience that blends music, storytelling, cultural education, and joyful exploration.

For many families attending the Perkins Center performance, it will be their first exposure to musical traditions from multiple continents—all presented in a format designed to inspire curiosity and wonder.

The Global Orchestra: Musicians from Across Traditions

The “All Speak Music” performance showcases the All Around This World Global Orchestra, a collaborative network of musicians who specialize in traditional music from their respective cultural backgrounds.

The ensemble performing in Collingswood brings together a remarkable lineup of artists whose musical traditions span multiple continents.

Among the featured performers are:

• Chad Brown – Balkan and Klezmer percussion traditions
• Youba Cissokho – master of the West African kora harp
• Rob Curto – Brazilian folk and jazz influences
• Qin Qian – Chinese two-string bowed instrument specialist
• Joe Tayoun – North African and Middle Eastern rhythms
• Cara Tratner – Klezmer and Eastern European traditions

Together with Jay Sand, these musicians form a multicultural ensemble that transforms the concert into a living map of global music traditions.

Each artist contributes not only their musical expertise but also stories about their instruments, cultural traditions, and the history behind the music.

For young audiences, it becomes an immersive introduction to how music connects people across continents.

The Magic of Global Instruments

One of the most fascinating elements of the concert is the opportunity for children to encounter instruments rarely seen in typical American classrooms.

The kora, played by Youba Cissokho, is a 21-string West African harp-lute that carries centuries of storytelling traditions in Senegal and surrounding regions.

The erhu, performed by Qin Qian, produces a hauntingly expressive tone that has been central to Chinese classical music for generations.

Percussion instruments from the Balkans, North Africa, and the Middle East add rhythmic energy that encourages audiences to move, clap, and dance along.

The accordion and saxophone introduce elements of Brazilian and Eastern European folk traditions, weaving additional layers into the global musical tapestry.

For many children attending the concert, it may be the first time they see these instruments performed live—a moment that can spark lifelong curiosity about music and culture.

The Educational Vision Behind “All Around This World”

What makes the All Around This World program particularly powerful is its long-term educational philosophy.

Rather than offering a single cultural snapshot, the program operates through a three-year curriculum designed to gradually introduce children to the music of different regions around the globe.

Through song, movement, and storytelling, participants explore traditions from:

Africa
Latin America
Europe
Asia
The Middle East
The Caribbean

Each lesson or concert builds upon the previous experience, helping children develop a broader understanding of global culture.

The program’s philosophy emphasizes that learning about the world should be joyful, interactive, and rooted in artistic expression.

Music becomes both the teacher and the bridge.

Perkins Center for the Arts: A Cultural Anchor in South Jersey

Hosting the event is the Perkins Center for the Arts, one of New Jersey’s most respected cultural institutions.

Located in Collingswood, the center has spent decades fostering creativity through exhibitions, concerts, arts education programs, and community engagement initiatives.

Its historic campus provides a welcoming environment where families, students, and artists can gather to explore the arts in all their forms.

Events like “We All Speak Music” reflect the organization’s ongoing commitment to making cultural experiences accessible to audiences of all ages.

The center also maintains a second campus in Moorestown, expanding its reach throughout the region and strengthening its role as a cornerstone of South Jersey’s creative community.

Through programs like this concert, Perkins continues to demonstrate how the arts can unite communities while introducing new generations to global cultural traditions.

Why Multicultural Music Experiences Matter for Children

In today’s interconnected world, cultural literacy is more important than ever.

Programs like All Around This World offer children the chance to experience global traditions not through textbooks or screens, but through real human interaction and artistic performance.

Music provides an especially powerful gateway for this kind of learning.

Rhythms, melodies, and dance movements communicate emotion and identity in ways that transcend language barriers.

For young listeners, participating in a multicultural music experience can spark curiosity about geography, history, and cultural traditions far beyond their immediate surroundings.

The concert also encourages empathy and openness—two qualities that become increasingly valuable in a diverse global society.

A Celebration of New Jersey’s Vibrant Cultural Scene

The upcoming performance at Perkins Center also reflects the broader vitality of New Jersey’s arts landscape.

From concert halls and galleries to theaters and community arts programs, the Garden State continues to cultivate an impressive array of cultural opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

Family-oriented events that blend education and entertainment have become a particularly important part of that ecosystem.

Explore New Jersey’s music coverage continues to highlight programs that bring together artists, educators, and audiences in meaningful ways—and “We All Speak Music” stands out as one of the most inspiring examples this season.

By presenting a concert that celebrates musical traditions from around the world, the Perkins Center reinforces New Jersey’s reputation as a place where culture thrives through collaboration and community engagement.

A Concert Where Everyone Is Part of the Music

Unlike many traditional performances where audiences remain seated and silent, “We All Speak Music” invites families to become part of the show itself.

Children are encouraged to sing along, move to the rhythms, and interact with the performers throughout the concert.

Parents and caregivers often find themselves joining the fun as well.

The result is an atmosphere that feels less like a formal concert and more like a joyful international celebration.

By the end of the performance, the audience has not only heard music from around the world—they have experienced it together.

And in that moment, the title of the concert becomes beautifully clear.

No matter where we come from, we all speak music.