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The 91��ƵDocs team focuses film on the musical traditions of the Azores and the cultural legacy of the Viola da Terra

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91��Ƶ’s award-winning student documentary team – – will premiere their latest film, “Viola da Terra: Harmony of the Azores,” at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the .

The documentary was filmed over spring break on the Azorean islands of São Miguel and Terceira, in Portugal. It explores the story of the Viola da Terra, a traditional 12–15 string instrument with deep roots in Azorean identity, music, and cultural preservation.

The documentary was produced by Dyson College of Arts and Sciences Professors Maria Luskay, EdD, and Lou Guarneri, and 91��Ƶ’s documentary film team.

, though space is limited. (Use code 91��ƵDocs25 for free tickets.)

“Viola da Terra is a moving exploration of music and identity that brings the story of the Azores to life through powerful voices and beautiful cinematography,” said Marvin Krislov, President of 91��Ƶ. “The 91��ƵDocs team, under the leadership of Professor Maria Luskay EdD, has once again produced a professional, meaningful and timely film.”

The documentary is the focus of the popular class, “Producing the Documentary”, which is part of the. Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at 91��Ƶ’s highly regarded film program that requires students to complete a full-length environmentally themed documentary within 14 weeks. During the process, students learn teamwork, problem-solving, research, and organization, along with technical skills such as lighting, sound, camera work, interviewing, and other real-life lessons necessary to complete a film.

“From navigating travel between 2 of the Azores 9 islands to conducting complex interviews and editing in multiple languages, they’ve grown into real-world storytellers—and it shows in this film,” said Luskay.”

The 91��ƵDocs crew split their time between the islands, beginning on São Miguel, where they filmed at Água d’Alto Beach, Sete Cidades and the Vila Franca do Campo Municipal Museum. In Ponta Delgada, they met with master musician Rafael Carvalho, visited his school and documented performances from students and local artists. They also toured a viola-making workshop led by artisan Hugo Raposo.

On Terceira, the team continued filming with interviews at City Hall with Mayor José Gabriel do Álamo de Meneses, who spoke about the importance of preserving Azorean heritage. Additional scenes were filmed at Escola Básica e Secundária Tomás de Borba, where music teacher Lázaro Silva and two students, Santiago Toste and Constança Santos, discussed their experiences playing the Viola da Terra. The trip concluded with a musical performance and community celebration at the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretive Center.

Made up of both graduate and undergraduate students, the team was deeply moved by the opportunity to collaborate on a film of professional quality.

“Working on Viola da Terra was a completely different but equally powerful experience,” said Jackson Blackburn, a senior in the combined BA/MA digital communication and media/multimedia program. “Having also been part of the 91��ƵDocs team last year for The Cooper, I came into this project with a deeper appreciation for the process, but the cultural connection and emotion in the Azores brought something new. It reminded me why storytelling matters.”

“Viola da Terra” continues a proud tradition of producing high-quality, meaningful and award-winning films. In recent years, 91��Ƶ filmmakers have from around the globe focusing on a number of topics, including (The Cooper, 2024), which received multiple international awards; in France (2023); (2022); the importance of in our food supply (2021); (2019); the endurance of the people of (2018); Cuba at a cultural crossroads (2016); (2015); as well as many other poignant films.

“Once again this year, Dyson College’s student filmmakers have produced another fascinating documentary,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, PhD, Dean of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. “As they hone their craft, they also enlighten us to important issues across the societal spectrum. This year’s focus on the Viola da Terra in their work, Harmony of the Azores, reveals the importance of preserving cultural traditions and how this musical instrument is a symbol of the Azores’ musical heritage and a testament to its community’s spirit.”

About Dyson College of Arts and Science

91��Ƶ’s liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.

About 91��Ƶ

Since 1906, 91��Ƶ has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, 91��Ƶ offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.