Experience the transformative journey of music & art
Malay Ensemble / Photo By Darek Mazzone
Our Vision
We envision a vibrant, connected world full of an abundance of traditions and musical expressions, where all people are valued, supported, and heard.
Our Mission
SAMA grows empathy across cultures by being a hub for global roots music in the Pacific Northwest & worldwide.
What We Do
By curating forward-thinking in-person and digital performances, we seek to celebrate cultural heritage, challenge assumptions, and spark creative exchanges
Why SAMA?
SAMA is not an acronym; instead, it is a word with several meanings across cultures.
In Arabic, sama means “listening” and “heaven.” In Sanskrit, “equal,” or “same.” In Malay, “together.” And in Japanese, sama is used to address a teacher.
These and other uses of the term suggest a reverence that SAMA embodies when we present the musical translations of the artists we showcase. And when you attend a SAMA performance, reverence for the music is palpable.
“SAMA showcases a blend of arts from all cultures and backgrounds. For many, it offers a unique opportunity to discover music from around the world.”
SAMA TEAM
Darek Mazzone
Executive Director / Founder
John M Goodfellow
Board President / Founder
Courtney Heidorn
Fundraising & Communications Manager
Sara Green Williams
Business Operations
Our Origin Story
SAMA: Music & Art is a cultural start-up and non-profit organization focused on creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue between global communities through the transformative power of music and art.
SAMA was founded in 2019 by John M. Goodfellow & Darek Mazzone.
Our objective is to elevate and centralize underrepresented voices by employing various performance methods, celebrating diversity, and advocating for shared humanity.
We believe that art, particularly music, possesses a unique capacity to create enduring bonds rooted in empathy and collective joy.
We have witnessed numerous performances that demonstrate the ability of music to forge deep connections between audiences and performers, transcending language and cultural backgrounds.
We concentrate on music and art with transformative qualities, connecting audiences to novel yet ancient experiences. Often, these works are produced by artists with layered cultural identities, enabling them to create pieces that resonate with diverse audiences and challenge prevailing binary thinking.