Apricot Music & Art
Promoting cross-cultural engagement through music and the arts.
About
Apricot Music & Art is a U.S.-based nonprofit cultural organization founded by Dr. Ayşe Taşpınar Gatenyo. Through performances, film screenings, workshops, and educational initiatives, we create spaces where communities connect through shared heritage, creativity, and dialogue.
Mission & Vision
Mission: We promote cross-cultural engagement and develop cultural exchange programs rooted in the performing arts—especially music—to strengthen understanding, communication, and empathy between people, inspiring younger generations to build a peaceful future.
Vision: Bringing people from diverse communities together to foster cross-cultural engagement and understanding.
Programs
Our work is guided by a few core program areas:
The Golden Apricot Tree Project
A performance and recording initiative that explores cross-cultural musical traditions and shares them widely through digital distribution and archives.
Apricot Tree Orchestra
A multimedia collaboration that brings musicians together through workshops, rehearsal, dialogue, and performance—using music as a platform for communication and confidence-building.
Workshops & Youth Programs
Hands-on workshops and youth-focused music education that support learning, belonging, and cultural continuity across generations.
Projects & Events
Selected programs and events from our recent and ongoing work:
Preserving Sephardic Jewish Culture & Heritage
Apricot Music & Art is dedicated to preserving and sharing Sephardic Jewish culture indigenous to the Near East and the Mediterranean. Through music, storytelling, language, and culinary traditions, this program highlights Ladino as an endangered language and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Sephardic communities.
As part of this initiative, Apricot Music & Art developed Avla | Tavla, an annual cultural event series created in the context of International Ladino Day. The series brings together folktales, music, linguistic traditions, and Sephardic cuisine, fostering intergenerational and cross-cultural dialogue.
Valentine’s Day Recital — Los Angeles, CA
Apricot Music & Art hosted a Valentine’s Day Recital at Pierre’s Fine Pianos in Los Angeles, California, celebrating classical music and community connection. The program featured works by Edgar Manas and Franz Liszt, performed by founder Dr. Ayşe Taşpınar Gatenyo, highlighting the expressive power of piano music across cultures.
The Story of Lina Amato — Los Angeles, CA
Apricot Music & Art hosted the second screening of The Story of Lina Amato on September 9, 2019, at Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles. In collaboration with community partners, the event brought together Jewish and Turkish communities.
The evening featured a concert by New York–based cellist Ceren Türkmenler, followed by the film screening and a Sephardic dinner, creating a meaningful space for cultural exchange and dialogue.
The Story of Lina Amato — Irvine, CA
As part of its ongoing cultural outreach, Apricot Music & Art presented The Story of Lina Amato in Irvine, California. This community-centered event continued the organization’s mission of connecting diverse audiences through film, music, and shared cultural heritage.
Founder
Dr. Ayşe Taşpınar Gatenyo
Dr. Ayşe Taşpınar Gatenyo is an internationally performing concert pianist. Her work and research explore the ways music can build bridges and create opportunities for understanding across communities. She founded Apricot Music & Art to support cultural connection through meaningful artistic experiences.
Contact
Email: hello@apricotmusicandart.org
Instagram: @apricotmusicandart