Cristina Pato is the 2019 / 2020 King Juan Carlos Chair in Spanish Culture and Civilization, NYU King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center.

In this lecture, Cristina Pato shares her artistic journey, forging a multifaceted career as an internationally acclaimed Galician bagpiper master, classical pianist, producer and educator. Without a precedent to follow, and in a world where “nobody needs a bagpiper,” Dr. Pato charted her own path to become an independent artist and became passionate about exploring the role of the arts in other contexts, especially education. In this lecture, Cristina will share how she has made herself relevant to other disciplines and, in doing so, built a sustainable career. Cristina will also underscore how her multiple identities – teacher, performer, writer, producer– are a platform to probe social questions raised by the intersection of classical and folkloric music.

*Cristina Pato will be performing live with accordionist Julien Labro, of the Cristina Pato QUARTET.