Women of the World take National a cappella Championship

On April 13th, “Women of the World” became the national champions of the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival. This eclectic blend of women from all parts of the globe rose to the top of 56 a cappella groups from across the United States. “Women of the World” is an international world music ensemble started by Ayumi Ueda, a Berklee College of Music alumna from Japan, who sought to bring together an ensemble of artists from all over the world to create music for peace.  In 2008, Ayumi joined forces with like-minded musicians, including Berklee graduate Giorgia Renosto from Italy, alumna and current Berklee faculty member Annette Philip from India, and current Berklee student Débòrah Pierre from both the United States and Haiti in order to manifest this vision.

Comprised of ten musicians, Women of the World members represent eight different countries: Japan, the Unites States, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Serbia, Italy and India. Its current members – many of whom have strong connections to Berklee – include vocalists Giorgia Renosto, Annette Philip, Ayumi Ueda and Débòrah Pierre, pianist Hinako Sato, violinist Sue Buzzard, bassist Sara Cristal Peña-Coffin, percussionist Negah Santos, drummer Patrick Simard, and guest flautist Milena Jancuric. Past collaborators include percussionist Noriko Terada , flautist Kazuyo Kuriya, and drummer Shrazette Tinnin.

In addition to being named national champions of the Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival, Women of the World has received support from Grammy Award-winner Bobby McFerrin and has shared the stage with African vocal icon Angelique Kidjo, Greek classical artist Mario Frangoulis, and the Boston Pops Orchestra led by Keith Lockhart. The group has been nominated for various awards, including the Boston Music Awards and the Independent Music Awards.

Women of the World will continue to perform and spread their peace-minded spirit throughout the world, and they plan to perform in India in early 2015.

For more information on the Women of the World ensemble, visit  womenoftheworldmusic.com.