PORTLAND, MAINE —June 27, 2025 

Yo-Yo Ma and friends present an evening of songs and stories that ask how the waters of the North — from Kwenitekw (the Connecticut River) to Supeq (the ocean) and Punkik (the Arctic North) — connect us to each other and to our past, present, and future. This one-night-only concert experience is an extension of famed cellist Ma’s sunrise concert at Schoodic Point in 2021. Bringing this concert from the shores of Maine to the Merrill Auditorium stage is the vision of participating artist Chris Newell. Tickets are now on sale to the public. 

For this extraordinary event, Ma is joined by Wabanaki musicians Jeremy Dutcher, a Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) member of the Tobique First Nation; Mali Obomsawin, a member of the Abenaki First Nation at Odanak; Chris Newell, a member of the Passamaquoddy First Nation, Ida Mae Specker, Lauren Stevens (Passamaquoddy), and Roger Paul (Passamaquoddy and Wolastoqui) and special guest, Icelandic writer Andri Snaer Magnason.

Rooted in wisdom and inspired by a dream for the future, We Are Water invites us to come together as a community and find hope for a changing planet. More than a concert, it is a gathering and celebration of Indigenous storytellers, language keepers, musicians, and culture keepers.

“As a singer, I’ve always been told that music is a tool that can create transformation if we do it right with the right heart,” says Chris Newell. ”Yo– Yo Ma is one of those transformational artists not just for his talent, but for his willingness to share his platform to create those moments of change. He is the epitome of approaching music with a good heart. We Are Water is a collective vision of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to reflect on our humanity and our connection to water and waterways. The hope is the audience comes away thinking of their own relationship to water in new ways. In the end, we want to contribute to a better future that the generations that follow us can benefit from.” 

Participating artist and educator, Newell, is a vital partner of Ovations since 2020 when together Newell and Ovations conceived of Wabanaki Stories, which Newell also directs and performs in. Wabanaki Stories has to date performed 7 times to nearly 10,000 audience members of all ages, with more scheduled for the upcoming season. Newell and Ovations Executive and Artistic Director Aimée M. Petrin then set their sights on a new project and big dreams, of recreating Yo-Yo Ma’s powerful Schoodic Point performance for the concert stage and for a large audience.

“Working with Chris to realize his dream of bringing this concert to the stage is an honor and privilege, deepening our ongoing partnership and commitment to presenting Wabanaki artists.” says Petrin. 

There are limited tickets remaining for purchase to We Are Water. Additional complementary tickets have been set aside for distribution to audiences through Ovations’ network of community partners and commitment to making the arts accessible to all.  

We Are Water: A Northeast Celebration
Featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Jeremy Dutcher, Mali Obomsawin, and Chris Newell
with Andri Snaer Magnason 
and special guests Ida Mae Specker, Lauren Stevens, and Roger Paul
October 20, 2025 • 7 PM, Merrill Auditorium