Harvard College
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January 2026 · Inaugural tour

Harvard goes to Trinidad.

Two weeks in the birthplace of the steelpan.

Celebrating World Steelpan Day

The tour, in six minutes

Where we went.

In January 2026 the ensemble made its first trip to the island the instrument comes from. We hosted a concert of our own, with guest performances from Dane Gulston, Natasha Joseph, and Charlton Alfonso.

In between we took in the Carnival festivities and watched pans being hammered out by hand at MITTCO. The rest of the island we got to know from the street, over our first doubles and our first shark and bake.

The ensemble standing with members of the Defence Force Steel Orchestra outside their panyard, in front of a wall painted with the orchestra's name.

With the Defence Force Steel Orchestra at their panyard.

This feels like completing a circle. We brought steelpan to Harvard, and now Harvard is coming to the birthplace of steelpan.
Elizabeth Bennett '26, co-founder
The hills above Port of Spain at golden hour, houses scattered across the green slopes under a wide sky.
Above Port of Spain.
The full ensemble in black and white concert dress, gathered together on stage after their performance.
After the concert at Theatre One, UTT.
If pan can make it to Harvard, it can make it anywhere. And I want young people here to see that their culture has global power.
Adam Bartholomew '26, co-founder

Gallery.

The ensemble sitting together on the steps outside the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, under a bright sky.
On the steps at NAPA, Port of Spain
Charlton Alfonso leading the ensemble in a rehearsal at MITTCO.
Rehearsing with Charlton Alfonso
The ensemble visiting the Musical Instruments of Trinidad and Tobago Company.
At MITTCO
Ensemble members in concert dress talking and laughing together in low light before the show.
Chatting before the show
Ensemble members inside the MITTCO practice room surrounded by steelpans.
Inside the MITTCO practice room
The ensemble meeting Akua Leith at the Pamberi panyard.
With Akua Leith at Pamberi
Ensemble members around a long wooden table over lunch, plates cleared.
Around the table
Ensemble members riding in a boat through the mangroves of Caroni Swamp.
Caroni Swamp
Ensemble members taking in the view from a lookout in Trinidad.
At the lookout
Members of the ensemble sitting together on a large flat rock by the sea at the end of the day.
End of a long day
Ensemble members in red shirts in front of a wall covered in photographs of Carnival.
A wall of Carnival history
The ensemble on stage in concert dress, holding their banner after the show.
On stage after the concert

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