NEC Honors Ensemble: Petra (Contemporary Musical Arts)

Artist(s)

Kayden Carter '26, voice, flute
Pitiki Aliakai '27, voice, nanga
Peter Vazquez '27, piano
Ben Walker '28, bass
Paul July Joseph '28, drums, percussion

Petra is a vibrant blend of sounds, where the rhythmic pulse of Haïtian/African Diaspora music meets the melodic beauty of R&B, Jazz and Brazilian Music. Coached by Farayi Malek and Joseph Copeland, Petra features Paul July Joseph (drums/percussion - Haïti), Pitiki Aliakai (voice/nanga - Uganda), Kayden Carter (voice/flute - USA), Ben Walker (bass - USA), and Peter Vazquez (piano - USA). The ensemble explores a sonic landscape that is both familiar and excitingly new. Their songs explore the universal themes of love, loss, and hope, told through the lens of their diverse cultural backgrounds, creating an experience that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Expect to hear the soulful cries of the vibrant energy of the bass, piano, drums, flute, and voices and the unique harmonies that emerge from their intercultural collaboration.