Maltz Reflections

A post from Lalia Mangione, Renovare’s Violinist and Community Manager.

Goodness. What a beautiful space for making music. It’s been a minute since we’ve played in a concert hall as lovely as the Maltz Performing Arts Center. Strange to think that once upon a time, during my musical training, I performed in halls like Maltz on a weekly basis. Fast forward to January 20th, 2022 and it’s been a solid year since I’ve stepped foot in a concert hall. The number of performances I've given have by no means dwindled during that year, they’ve simply been in places other than concert halls. Swap out concert hall with a prison visitation center, prison recreation center, prison chow hall, Hope center for refugees and immigrants, church sanctuary, etc. and you'll have a sense of what this past years' concerts have looked like. I wondered how it would feel to be back in a hall after a year away from them. The acoustics were fantastic (and there are times I do miss that), but otherwise, it didn’t feel very different. It felt much like all the other performances we’ve given all year long. Here’s a little secret: the careful preparation and musical depth of all the performances that Renovare shares, whether in prison or in a stunningly beautiful hall like Maltz, is identical.

The best part about performing at Maltz was the opportunity to share stories that are so near and dear to my heart. Being able to accompany a powerful narrative, to premiere a song co-written with a new friend, and to perform live strings to a recorded hip hop track by a currently incarcerated artist was an absolute privilege. Performing at Maltz allowed for voices that are often unknown or forgotten to be heard and felt on a whole new level. To be part of that was both humbling and exhilarating. I can't wait for the next opportunity to share these voices with our growing Renovare community.

Thanks again to the Maltz Performing Arts Center and their amazing staff for making last week's concert possible, and to everyone who joined us in person and online!