Mariela Shaker’s story begins in 1990, in Aleppo, Syria, where she began playing the violin at ten years old. Driven by her love for music, she eventually pursued formal training at the Arabic Music Institute, where she honed her skills to perform in various music festivals and concerts. At age twenty-one, Ms. Shaker’s life took a drastic turn when became one of the 14 million displaced by the Syrian Refugee Crisis, a crisis that began following a brutal war in March 2011. On Tuesday, October 29, Blair students will get to meet Ms. Shaker, learning from her powerful personal account as well as experiencing an inspiring musical presentation. 

By now, being prepared is second nature for Ms. Shaker. Even for the upcoming event at Blair’s Skeptics, the violinist had finalized a title for her talk weeks in advance: “My Bow Bends for Peace. A Story of Bravery, Hope, and Courage—Mariela Shaker on Never Giving Up.” As a 2015 White House honoree who was named a Champion of Change for World Refugees by then President Barack Obama, Ms. Shaker has been fortunate to speak about her experiences to audiences around the country. At each of those events, she hopes to demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to overcome hardships, all while fostering empathy and understanding between cultures different from one’s own. 

“I look forward to speaking on the exploration of music, particularly through my experiences as a classical violinist and Syrian refugee, and how it serves as a universal language transcending borders and uniting people,” shared Ms. Shaker in a pre-event interview. 

In addition to her universal message, she will also address the women and girls in the audience, reflecting on the unique challenges she faced growing up female in her society. “I want to show them that with determination and willpower, nothing is impossible.”

On Tuesday, students will want to arrive early as Ms. Shaker intends to incorporate music into her presentation, weaving several classical pieces within the themes of her speech. She has mastered the art of blending storytelling and music in order to “leave audiences feeling inspired to engage with the world in ways that promote unity, understanding and cultural appreciation.”

Ms. Shaker also plans to encourage them to “explore various interests without the pressure of immediate specialization. Take time to discover what truly resonates with them. I would advise cultivating resilience and self-belief and understand that it’s okay not to have all the answers right now.

“Every experience contributes to personal growth. Pursuing dreams takes time and effort, but with dedication, they can achieve their aspirations. Surrounding themselves with supportive individuals who uplift and inspire them can also make a significant difference on their journey.”

All are invited to hear Ms. Shaker speak in the forum of the Chiang-Elghanayan Center next Tuesday at 7 p.m.

History of Skeptics
 
The Society of Skeptics was established as a forum for students and faculty to discuss and debate important global issues; it has grown to become one of the premier high school lecture series in the United States. Each week, speakers from the political, social, scientific, economic and literary arenas share their unique perspectives with students, who are encouraged to engage with presenters, asking questions and debating points of view.
 

The program, which is funded in part by the Class of 1968 Society of Skeptics Endowment Fund, is an outgrowth of the Blair International Society, begun in 1937. Forty years later, former history department chair Elliott Trommald, PhD, Hon. ’65, established the modern Skeptics program as a regular forum for student discussion and debate; history teacher Martin Miller, PhD, took over in the mid-1980s and molded the program into a weekly lecture series, one that has since continued without interruption. Under the tutelage of Dr. Miller and his successor, history department chair Jason Beck, Skeptics has featured a wide variety of speakers who are thought-provoking, engaging, accomplished in their respective fields and often controversial. For a listing of upcoming Skeptics programs, please visit Blair’s website.