"Silk & Condor"
Silk evokes the spirit of East Asia, while the Condor soars over the Andean mountains—together symbolizing the cultural roots of Duo Takinai. This duo of multi-instrumentalists and vocalists bridges the sounds of South America, Sephardic traditions, and East Asia, weaving a living tapestry of sound. With guitar, keyboard, charango, percussion, panpipes, and flutes from diverse traditions, their music travels across continents—an intimate dialogue between heritage and journey.
Featuring:
Dr. Ke Guo is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and ethnomusicologist whose work bridges diverse musical traditions from around the world. Born in Wuhan, China, she pursued both science and music in the United States, ultimately earning a PhD in music education and ethnomusicology from the University of Washington, specializing in Sephardic Jewish music. Her performances and educational work emphasize the traditional repertoires of East Asian, Latin American, Andean, and Sephardic music, showcasing a deep respect for cultural heritage and musical storytelling. A versatile musician, Ke performs on a wide range of instruments, including voice, piano, flutes (Dizi, Shakuhachi, Quena, Zampoña), frame drum, lever harp, and Qanun.
Reynaldo Ruiz, born in Bolivia, grew up surrounded by the rich musical traditions of his homeland, which ignited his deep passion for music. At an early age, he picked up the guitar, unaware that it would become his lifelong companion. While adapting to a new country, he kept his musical roots close by learning to play Andean flutes. Alongside his musical journey, Reynaldo pursued a career as an aerospace engineer, balancing the precision of science with the artistry of sound. Over the years, he has shared his love for Andean music through performances across the West Coast, playing with multiple ensembles and contributing to a recorded album. Today, his music continues to bridge cultures, carrying the soulful melodies of the Andes to new audiences.
More information on Duo Takinai:
Artists At the Center is a multi-year collaboration between Seattle Office of Arts & Culture and Seattle Center, with support from Uptown Arts & Culture Coalition and the communities adjacent to Seattle Center campus. The project is made possible by a 10-year grant from Climate Pledge Arena and Seattle Kraken.
Join us as we introduce emerging and established artists and celebrate their talent on Seattle Center campus. Artists are given a performance opportunity, allowing them to connect with new audiences, display their talents and advance their careers. Visitors to campus and the surrounding neighborhood benefit from surprising and delightful pop-up performances throughout the year. Each year, artists are selected with an equity and social justice lens, ensuring equitable representation for underserved and emerging artists. Artistic genres include music, dance, theater, demonstrations, and multi-disciplinary work.
