An Evening of Innovation: Environmentalist/Composer Gabriella Smith and Ymusic Present World Premiere at the Walker Art Center
“Smith evokes the beauty, terror, and joy of the natural world.” —New York Times
Gabriella Smith is both an environmentalist and a composer. Channeling the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the effects of the climate crisis through sound, Smith makes a moving plea for the planet we call home in Aquatic Ecology. Acclaimed chamber ensemble yMusic perform the Twin Cities premiere of this major new work, written specifically for the sextet. The 40-minute piece brings to life hidden ecosystems, featuring raw and processed field recordings from sources including California tide pools and Polynesian coral reefs.
The evening opens with Smith performing as a duo alongside her longtime creative partner and yMusic cellist Gabriel Cabezas. Together they will play selections from their acclaimed album Lost Coast and more.
During her stay in the Twin Cities, Smith will also engage with local environmental organizations in a variety of climate action related events, including invasive species removal, climate conscious art-making workshops, and a community reception. Through these activities, Smith hopes to make a tangible impact on local ecosystems and raise awareness for ways audiences can become more involved in the movement.
Featuring:
yMusic: Allison Loggins-Hull (flutes), Mark Dover (clarinets), CJ Camerieri (trumpet), Rob Moose (violin), Nadia Sirota (viola), Gabriel Cabezas (cello)
Gabriella Smith + Gabriel Cabezas Duo: Gabriella Smith (voice, violin, electronics), Gabriel Cabezas (cello, electronics)
Co-commissioned by the Walker, Liquid Music, and Schubert Club
Copresented with Schubert Club, in partnership with Liquid Music
An Evening with Gabriella Smith & yMusic
Saturday, November 8, 7:30 pm
McGuire Theater
ABOUT GABRIELLA SMITH
Gabriella Smith is a composer whose work invites listeners to find joy in climate action. Her music reflects a love of play, exploring new instrumental sounds, and creating musical arcs that transport audiences into sonic landscapes inspired by the natural world. An “outright sensation” (LA Times), her music “exudes inventiveness with a welcoming personality, rousing energy, and torrents of joy” (New York Times).
Her first full-length album, Lost Coast, recorded with Gabriel Cabezas and producer Nadia Sirota at Greenhouse Studios in Iceland, was named one of NPR Music’s “26 Favorite Albums of 2021” and a “Classical Album to Hear Right Now” by The New York Times. Smith and Cabezas, as a cello–violin–voice–electronics duo, have performed together around the world, including in Reykjavík, New York City, and Paris.
Smith grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area playing and writing music, hiking, backpacking, and volunteering on a songbird research project.
ABOUT yMUSIC
yMusic is a genre-leading American chamber ensemble. Now in its 16th season, the group is renowned for its innovative and collaborative spirit. yMusic has a unique mission: to work on both sides of the classical/popular music divide, without sacrificing rigor, virtuosity, charisma or style. yMusic has lent their instantly recognizable sound to commissions and projects by a dizzying array of artists including Andrew Norman, ANOHNI, Missy Mazzoli, John Legend, Paul Simon and Caroline Shaw.
TICKETS
Ordering tickets is easy: visit walkerart.org/tickets or call 612-375-7600. Box office is open Wednesday–Sunday and one hour before performances
ACCESSIBILITY
For more information about accessibility, visit our Access page.
For questions on accessibility or to request additional accommodations, call 612-375-7564 or email access@walkerart.org.
STUDENTS COME EARLY
Students own the rush line! Get in line an hour before showtime for $15 rush tickets. One ticket per person with student ID. (Some restrictions apply.)
GET TOGETHER
Experience these performances in a group of 10 or more people and save 15% on tickets. Purchase group tickets online, over the phone, or in person. The discount is automatically applied at checkout on orders of 10 or more tickets to the same performance.
MEMBERS DO MORE
Become a member and enjoy a 20% discount on performance tickets, receive unlimited free gallery admission, and more. Call 612-375-7655 or visit walkerart.org/membership.
RELATED EVENTS
Art Club: Climate Conscious Art-making
Thursday, November 6, 5–8 pm
Walker Art Center
In partnership with environmentalist and musician Gabriella Smith, Art Club brings climate conscious art-making to the Walker. Several local artists whose work supports eco-friendly art-making practices host drop-in art-making sessions centered around preservation, upcycling, zero-waste, and more.
Materials are provided and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited. Activities are designed for all skill levels. No prior registration is required for Art Club. The more you visit, the more you’ll discover.
Reception in City View Bar
Saturday, November 8, 6:30–7:30 pm and 9–10 pm
Walker Art Center
Grab a drink at Walker’s City View Bar while learning more about how you can participate in climate action from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Freshwater Society, and Mississippi Park Connection.
Invasive Species Removal Event
Sunday, November 9, 2025, 10 am–2 pm
Wolsfeld Woods Scientific and Natural Area
Join Gabriella Smith and Minnesota DNR’s Scientific and Natural Areas Program (SNA) for an invasive species removal event on Sunday, November 9, at Wolsfeld Woods Scientific and Natural Area in Long Lake. Spots are limited; sign up for the event here.
ABOUT THE WALKER ART CENTER
The Walker Art Center is a renowned multidisciplinary arts institution that presents, collects, and supports the creation of groundbreaking work across the visual and performing arts, moving image, and design. Guided by the belief that art has the power to bring joy and solace and the ability to unite people through dialogue and shared experiences, the Walker engages communities through a dynamic array of exhibitions, performances, events, and initiatives. Its multiacre campus includes 65,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, the state-of-the-art McGuire Theater and Walker Cinema, and ample green space that connects with the adjoining Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Garden, a partnership with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, is one of the first urban sculpture parks of its kind in the United States and home to the beloved Twin Cities landmark Spoonbridge and Cherry by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. Recognized for its ambitious program and growing collection of more than 16,000 works, the Walker embraces emerging art forms and amplifies the work of artists from the Twin Cities and from across the country and the globe. Its broad spectrum of offerings makes it a lively and welcoming hub for artistic expression, creative innovation, and community connection.
ABOUT LIQUID MUSIC
Liquid Music is a leading producer of special projects in contemporary music, an internationally recognized laboratory for artists from across genre and disciplinary spectrums. This creative institution nurtures and realizes bold ideas from performers and composers, inspiring audiences to discover, learn and be transformed. Founded at The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2012, Liquid Music became independent in 2020, owned and operated by artistic director Kate Nordstrum who has been widely praised for her programmatic vision, panoramic tastes and “storied matchmaking” (Minneapolis Star Tribune).
ABOUT SCHUBERT CLUB
Since 1893, Schubert Club has invited the world’s great recital soloists and ensembles to the Twin Cities and has promoted the superb musical talents of our community through performances, education, and museum programs. One of the first arts organizations in the country, Schubert Club remains today one of the nation’s most vibrant, relevant, and respected music organizations.