Polaris Dawn Crewmember Performs from Space with Youth Musicians Around the World

(New York, NY)—On Friday, September 13, 2024 Polaris Dawn Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis, an accomplished musician and SpaceX engineer-turned-astronaut, performed “Rey’s Theme” by composer John Williams on her custom-made violin while in orbit aboard the Dragon spacecraft, launching her campaign to raise support for music education back on Earth. Her music selection, fittingly, was a piece from the film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Gillis was joined in performance by youth musicians from around the world, all of them students in the international El Sistema network of organizations, specifically: the inaugural El Sistema program in Venezuela, The Boston String Academy in the United States, NEOJIBA in Brazil, Dream Orchestra in Sweden, Brass for Africa in Uganda, and BLUME Haiti. The video of their historic performance is the first-of-its-kind downloaded from space via Starlink high-speed internet.

Inspired by her musical training as a child, which Gillis credits for her insatiable curiosity, ambition, and professional feats in STEM, Gillis and the Polaris Program have launched a fundraising campaign to benefit the music education nonprofit El Sistema USA.

“Music has been a defining force in my life, thanks to the unwavering support of both my parents,” said Polaris Dawn Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis. “My mother, a music teacher, championed my classical training on the violin, which has helped shape me into the engineer and astronaut I am today. The discipline, work ethic, and creativity fostered through music set me on the path that led to this extraordinary adventure into space. I’ve chosen to support El Sistema USA because they believe every child deserves access to the transformative power of music education, regardless of circumstance. If my performance moved you, I encourage you to make a donation to El Sistema USA, an organization that continues to inspire me every day.”

“We are so thankful to the Polaris Program for their generous support of El Sistema USA, and for choosing to leverage this historic moment, when all eyes are trained on their inspiring activities in space, to advocate for young people back on Earth,” said El Sistema USA Executive Director Elizabeth Moulthrop. “El Sistema USA works to ensure every child has access to a high-quality music education and to a supportive community that nurtures their sense of belonging and possibility. We are thrilled to partner with Sarah Gillis, who has inspired our students across the country to dream big.”

To view The Polaris Program fundraising campaign for music education, visit polarisprogram.com/music or make a charitable donation directly to El Sistema USA at: elsistemausa.org/support-el-sistema-usa-pd/

Gillis’ performance from space with music students around the world is her second time collaborating on a project with El Sistema USA (ESUSA). Earlier this spring, ESUSA released A Musician’s Guide to Reaching for the Stars, a special curriculum developed in partnership with Gillis and the Polaris Program. 

A free resource available for use by music teachers, science teachers, caregivers at home, and adults working with children in a variety of settings, the curriculum encourages students to explore the connections between music and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), as well as social-emotional skills. The curriculum offers five Mission Prep Zone modules, each with a fun Challenge activity students can try. It is adaptable for use with children in grades 3 through 12, is rooted in National Core Arts Standards, and promotes Social-Emotional learning utilizing elements of the CASEL Framework.

El Sistema USA’s work draws inspiration from the music education model of El Sistema, founded in Venezuela by José Antonio Abreu and championed by world-renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The model prioritizes ensemble-based music learning, free or low-cost tuition, and frequent instruction (5-10+ hours per week) across multiple years. 

ESUSA believes that learning music can set students on a path of self-discovery, bolster their confidence, and improve life skills ranging from patience to persistence, ensuring students develop their capacity for creativity, resilience, and leadership in supportive environments that are rich with social connection and artistry.

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About El Sistema USA

El Sistema USA (ESUSA) works to ensure every child has access to high-quality music education that celebrates their voice and potential by building a national network of member organizations and educators. With over 140 member programs, 6,000 teaching artists, and 25,000 students, we support our network with staff development and training, research and data, student leadership programs, and advocacy for the field. ESUSA is committed to equity and excellence in music education. We envision a world in which every child—regardless of income, geography, or identity—has access to a high-quality music education program that builds community, opportunity, and personal growth. Our model emphasizes programs with free or low-cost tuition, frequent instruction (5-10+ hours per week), and ensemble-based learning. Learn more at www.elsistemausa.org.

About Polaris Dawn

Polaris Dawn is the first of three human spaceflights under the Polaris Program. The program is named after Polaris, a constellation of three stars more commonly known as the North Star, which has been a guiding light throughout human history to help us navigate the world and inspire progress. The mission is in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. To learn more about Polaris Dawn, visit https://polarisprogram.com/dawn/ and follow the mission on X (@PolarisProgram), and Instagram (@PolarisProgram). 

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