Global Music Initiative

Social change and connection through music.

We're a student organization at Vanderbilt University. We work with communities around the world to share, preserve, and open doors to music.

See the Nepal project Get involved

What we do

Music is how people find each other.

Connect

We bring people and cultures together through music, across borders and backgrounds.

Preserve

We document living musical traditions alongside the communities who carry them, so they can be passed on.

Open doors

We work to expand access to music education for students in underserved and rural communities.

Flagship project · Nepal

The Sarangi Documentation Project

In a rural, high-altitude region of Nepal, Gandharva musicians carry an oral storytelling tradition on the sarangi, a bowed string instrument. Much of it has never been fully recorded.

With The Initiatives Foundation, we're creating the first thorough documentary and written record of this tradition.

PartnerThe Initiatives Foundation
Karun Dhakal, Director
FieldworkMay to mid-June 2027
What we're makingA short documentary and a full audio, video, and written archive
Faculty advisorsJonathan Rattner and Kevin Rilling

Timeline

Fall 2026Funding and planning
Grant applications and planning with our partners in Nepal.
May – June 2027Fieldwork
Recording and documenting in Nepal.
Summer – Oct 2027Post-production
Editing the film and building the archive.
Fall 2027Premiere
Screenings and film festival submissions.

About us

Started at Vanderbilt, built for the world.

GMI began through Immersion Vanderbilt with one goal: use music to connect people and create real change.

Our founder, Makoa Lewis, grew up in rural Hockinson, Washington, and found his path through percussion. At 15 he was accepted to the YOLA National Festival and performed alongside the LA Phil and Gustavo Dudamel. GMI exists to open that same kind of door for others.

Makoa Lewis

Founder

Jonathan Rattner

Faculty Advisor

Kevin Rilling

Faculty Advisor

The Initiatives Foundation

Partner in Nepal · Karun Dhakal, Director

Get involved

There's a part for everyone.

Students

Join GMI

Vanderbilt students: help with research, film, outreach, and events.

Ask to join

Partners

Partner with us

Schools, community groups, and musicians: let's build something together.

Start a conversation

Donate

Support the work

Online giving is coming soon. To support the Nepal project now, get in touch.

Contact

Let's talk.

Questions, ideas, or want to help? Send a message and we'll get back to you.

makoa.i.lewis@vanderbilt.edu