This June, we at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall are proud to launch our Carnegie Global Performance Series — a compelling new initiative that blends music, tradition and cultural education.
Designed to celebrate the diverse artistic voices that enrich our region, this series invites audiences to experience music and performance traditions from around the globe, right in the heart of Carnegie.
The series begins June 14 with a rare and elegant performance by ethnomusicologist and artist Yuko Eguchi, who will present a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Much more than a demonstration, Eguchi’s performance is a deeply immersive exploration of Japanese aesthetics, philosophy and cultural heritage.
Born in Tokyo and trained in classical ballet, piano and traditional Japanese arts, Eguchi holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh. Her life’s work is a graceful synthesis of scholarly research and lived tradition.
She has spent more than two decades studying the Japanese tea ceremony, receiving the master title of tea, Soyu, in 2009, and becoming a certified assistant professor of tea in 2013 — an honor awarded by the Urasenke school, one of Japan’s most prominent schools of tea.
Eguchi’s tea ceremonies are rooted in the values of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility, expressed through every gesture and sound. From the subtle rhythm of preparing tea to the quiet elegance of bowing and serving, each movement becomes part of a larger aesthetic experience. Her multifaceted expertise has made her a sought-after lecturer and performer at institutions across the country.
By featuring Eguchi’s work, the Carnegie Carnegie invites audiences to consider performance as not just entertainment, but as a vessel for cultural continuity and deep emotional connection. Attendees of her June event will not only witness the delicate beauty of the Japanese tea tradition but also gain insight into its historical and musical dimensions.
Following Eguchi’s tea ceremony, the series continues with performances that reflect a global musical palette. On July 14, Steel City Calypso brings the infectious rhythms of Trinidad and Tobago to life with a fusion of traditional calypso, soca and American jazz. Percussionist Subha Das describes the ensemble as a “beautiful collision of two musical worlds,” paying homage to legends like Lord Kitchener and Miles Davis. As one of Pittsburgh’s few Afro-Caribbean jazz groups, their performance promises both high energy and cultural richness.
In August, Zambian musician Mathew Tembo takes the stage with his Afropop Ensemble. Tembo, who began his career with the band Afro-Vision, is known for weaving traditional Zambian instruments, such as the silimba, kalimba, and kalumbu, into contemporary pop frameworks. Singing in Chinsenga and Chichewa, Tembo brings stories, rhythms and sounds that offer audiences a window into the soul of modern Zambia. His musical journey, which has taken him around the globe, reflects a powerful commitment to preserving and evolving African music traditions.
Together, these performances create a tapestry of global traditions grounded in community, identity and the human experience. Each event in the series includes a pre-show presentation, offering historical and cultural context to enrich the audience’s appreciation of the art form.
The Global Performance Series is more than a cultural program — it’s an invitation to discover how music and performance can deepen understanding and bring people together across borders. Whether through the silent grace of a tea ceremony, the syncopated joy of calypso or the rooted vibrancy of Zambian pop, these artists show us how tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully.
Join us at the Carnegie Carnegie to celebrate artistry without borders and experience how global voices help shape the cultural landscape of our local community. Learn more at CarnegieCarnegie.org.
Heidi Matthews is the music hall director at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall.