Music Opens a Dialogue Between People

What if music could become a universal language bridging cultures and histories? In this episode of the Harvest Series, Helen Epega, an innovative opera singer and composer, unveils her groundbreaking approach to creating the world’s first opera in Pidgin, a form of "broken" English. Guided by host Rose Claverie, Helen reveals how her unique Afro-Sonic blend of sounds and her personal journey from Nigeria to London have shaped her powerful vision of music as a dialogue for peace. Tune in to discover how Helen's art redefines boundaries and fosters connection through rhythm and resonance.

[2:30] - Helen explains why she likes to include the audience in her shows.

[3:45] - Helen describes her hang instrument, how she plays it, how she learned it, and how she quit her job for it.

[7:00] - Helen plays the hang instrument.

[8:45] - What's this noise in the background? Helen's beads in her hair!

[9:35] - Why did Helen use the Pidgin language, a broken English used in the Caribbean, to create an opera?

[11:25] - The first opera Helen listened to in London.

[12:20] - Helen speaks a bit of Pidgin.

[13:44] - What's Helen's relationship with Africa?

[19:34] - Helen intends to make people think or meditate

[21:44] - Helen shares in Harvest during her speech how hard it was when she moved from Nigeria and how music helped her.

[24:17] - Helen thinks that more music leads to less violence.

[26:39] - Harvest of The Day for Helen Epega : if something easy could be done to make the world a better place, what would it be?

Helen's news: she composed the music for the immersive performance art production Confinement. They have been nominated for the prestigious Offie award in the category of best idea: design in Costume and sound.

On the 3rd of March 2023, her new musical work Sound of Us UK, consisting of 4 new feature-length compositions exploring who/what the UK is right now, will be released. A European tour will be announced at the beginning of April 2023.

In two weeks, we will release Prashant Goel's interview in Kaplankaya. Prashant is a leadership development specialist, mixing scientific research and ancient wisdom traditions to help improve collaboration, creativity or innovation. Don't miss the episode!

You can follow us on Instagram at @HarvestSeries or @rose.claverie for updates.

Watch our podcast episodes and speaker sessions on YouTube: Harvest Series.

Credits:

• Sound editing by: @lesbellesfrequences
• Technicians in Kaplankaya: Joel Moriasi
• Music by: Chambord
• Artwork by: Davide d'Antonio

Harvest Series is produced in partnership with Athena Advisers and Capital Partners

Harvest Series Founders: Burak Öymen and Roman Carel