Frequently Asked Questions
How did iBuildBridges get started?
iBuildBridges began in 2018 when co-founders Gary Wenet, Toni Clark, and Richard Bell came together with a shared vision of celebrating diversity and building bridges through music.
Recognizing music's unique power to connect, they recruited talented young musical artists from diverse backgrounds. The organization made its debut at Seattle's Benaroya Hall in 2018. Today, iBuildBridges continues to grow as both a performing ensemble and a model for how communities can come together through the universal language of music.
Where is iBuildBridges based?
We’re located in the Seattle area, but our organizers and performers hail from all over the world.
What type of music does iBuildBridges perform?
What type of music does iBuildBridges perform?
Our performers bring a rich mix of musical traditions to the stage, drawing inspiration from soul, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, folk, and global rhythms.
iBuildBridges performances feature original compositions interspersed with solo moments that showcase each artist’s unique voice and influences. The result is a musical journey that bridges styles and creates something entirely new – just like the sense of community we aim to build.
Where does iBuildBridges perform?
Our young artists bring their music to diverse venues throughout the Seattle area, from prestigious concert halls to community celebrations. Recent performances include BrasilFest, Juneteenth Celebration at the Rainier Cultural Center, the Concert for Peace, Community Day at the Frye Art Museum, Seattle’s Musicquarium Lounge, the Kent Historical Museum, and our landmark Connections celebration at Benaroya Hall.
Auditioning
What kinds of musicians does iBuild Bridges look for?
You don’t need to play a specific instrument to join us. Instead of filling set roles, we build our music around the voices and talents our artists bring, so your genre, style, and cultural background become part of our sound.
We look for performers who bring passion and skill to their craft, love collaborating and building community, and want to use music to tell meaningful stories and connect across cultures and differences. You’ll grow alongside talented peers from many musical traditions while helping create original music that reflects the rich diversity of our community.
What do performers gain from their iBuildBridges experience?
As an iBuildBridges artist, you’ll grow musically by collaborating with talented peers and our amazing music director,
Eduardo Mendonça. You’ll perform at community events throughout Seattle, build your musical career through experience and exposure, and form connections that often lead to creative opportunities beyond the program.
We also compensate our performers for their time and come together for a community dinner at every rehearsal.
How do I audition for iBuildBridges?
Each summer, we select new members for our Bridge Builders ensemble based not just on musical talent, but on a shared commitment to building connections through music.
We accept applications year-round. Whether you're a vocalist, instrumentalist, or multi-disciplinary artist, we'd love to hear how your musical journey might intersect with ours.
Ready to share your talents while building bridges across communities? Start by completing the
audition request form.
Where does iBuildBridges rehearse?
When we’re preparing for a performance, our ensemble rehearses weekly at The Roadhouse in SeaTac’s Angle Lake Station.
Fun Fact: It’s the first community performance space in the U.S. supported by a transit agency.
Supporting iBuildBridges
How does my support make a difference?
In a world where division often dominates headlines, your support helps young artists create powerful musical connections across differences.
Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Yes! iBuildBridges Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN: 82-3555840, dedicated to building connections across cultural, racial, and religious differences through the unifying power of music.
Your tax-deductible contribution directly supports our diverse ensemble of young musical artists as they create performances that celebrate our community's rich diversity.
Make your tax-deductible contribution here.
How can I get involved?
We're thrilled you want to be part of our bridge-building community! Here are meaningful ways to connect with our work:
- Experience our performances – Join us at an upcoming event and feel the power of diverse musical voices coming together. Find out about events here.
- Support our artists – Your donation directly funds fair compensation for our performers and creates opportunities for them to share their music with new audiences. Make your tax-deductible contribution here.
- Bring us to your community – If you're organizing a festival, cultural celebration, school event, or community gathering, we would love to create a memorable experience for your audience. Contact us here.
- Join our musical family – Young musicians who share our passion for building connections through music are invited to learn about our audition process here.
- Spread the word – Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube and be part of our story of building bridges through music.
How can I be a bridge builder?
Building bridges begins with simple, everyday actions that create connection across differences:
- Listen with curiosity to someone whose background or perspective differs from your own
- Share your story and invite others to share theirs
- Attend cultural celebrations outside your own traditions
- Support organizations (like iBuildBridges) that bring diverse communities together
- Invite someone new to join your table, your conversation, or your community
- Reflect on assumptions you might hold about people different from yourself
- Create spaces where diverse voices feel welcome and valued
- Celebrate the richness that different cultural traditions bring to our shared community
What bridge will you build today?
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