The Friends of the Semel Institute was honored to host a memorable evening of music and conversation featuring Vijay Gupta, virtuoso violinist, founder of the Street Symphony, and author of Restrung: A Memoir of Music and Transformation.

Vijay’s artistry has taken him to some of the world’s great stages, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he was the youngest musician ever to join the orchestra. Yet his work has taken him far beyond the concert hall. As founder of the Street Symphony, Vijay brings world-class musicians into partnership with people experiencing homelessness, incarceration, poverty, and other forms of social marginalization. Through this work, he has demonstrated the power of music to create connection where there is often isolation, restore dignity, and foster a sense of shared humanity.

Vijay also shared his personal and professional journey, as chronicled in Restrung, and the profound ways in which music and human connection have shaped his life. The memoir explores his transformation from burnout and collapse to finding renewed purpose through his work with musicians and neighbors who taught him the importance of listening with care and showing up for his community.

The Open Mind audience was also treated to a special performance by Vijay and the Street Symphony Ensemble: Son Estimados, offering a wonderful opportunity to experience his extraordinary artistry and hear the music at the heart of his work.

Following the performance, Helena Hansen, MD, PhD, psychiatrist-anthropologist, Professor and Interim Chair of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, and Interim Director of the Semel Institute, joined Vijay for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation exploring the intersection of music, mental health, healing, and human connection. Dr. Hansen brought a distinctive perspective, drawing on her work across psychiatry, anthropology, neuroscience, and the social conditions that shape health and well-being.

In keeping with his generosity and commitment to Street Symphony, Vijay is donating all proceeds from the sales of Restrung to support Street Symphony programs and its ongoing work to create human connection through music.