Belgian musician and award-winning guitarist Dr. Sam Desmet, who now calls St. Cloud, Florida, home, has earned praise for his “poetic and sensible playing” and is known for interpreting a wide range of classical repertoire. With performances across Asia, Europe, and the United States, Desmet’s music blends the tradition of nineteenth and twentieth-century works with contemporary and lesser-known compositions. Desmet, who has long been celebrated for his versatility and artistry, is now using his platform to expand his cultural impact through his ongoing project Unity in Diversity: Harmony of Cultures.
This ambitious project, which releases a new single each month, showcases a different country’s music interpreted through Desmet’s acoustic guitar and rooted in well-known folk traditions. The goal is to draw attention to international musicians and their cultural heritages, offering a musical experience that bridges borders and celebrates diversity. Desmet’s work often involves collaborations with artists from different fields such as dance, painting, architecture, animation, film, and poetry, creating unique cultural fusions that connect broader audiences to classical music.
In a recent collaboration, Desmet partnered with Swedish artist Dana Ingesson, whose watercolor painting A Song for Life was chosen as the cover art for Desmet’s latest single. The single features Desmet’s acoustic guitar interpretation of “So Shimmering Was Never the Sea,” one of Sweden’s most beloved ballads written by composer Evert Taube.
Dana, a Tidaholm native, was both humbled and excited when she was contacted by Desmet. “I never imagined that someone across the world would see my art and choose it for a project,” she said. “It’s dizzying and an incredible honor.” Dana’s connection to the project was further deepened by her recent trip to Stockholm, where she visited Taube’s statue and grave.
Desmet’s interpretation of Taube’s song was released on streaming platforms alongside Dana’s art. The collaboration perfectly captures the essence of Swedish artistic heritage, and both Desmet and Dana hope that this fusion of music and art will offer listeners a chance to experience a timeless cultural connection. Dana said, “His project really touches me, and I am so happy that my work can be part of this beautiful collaboration.”
Dr. Sam Desmet’s journey into music began in his small hometown in Belgium before earning his master’s degree in music pedagogy and performance from the Royal Conservatory in Ghent. In 2010, Desmet moved to the United States to pursue a Doctorate in guitar performance at Florida State University. Since then, he has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in concert halls and universities across the globe. Known for his collaborations and his ability to bring together classical music with other forms of artistic expression, Desmet is now using Unity in Diversity to offer a unique cultural experience that honors international traditions through the universal language of music.
As the project continues to evolve, Desmet remains dedicated to creating a space where sound, art, and culture converge, offering audiences a richer, more diverse understanding of the world through his music.
To learn more about Sam, or to support him and his music, visit his official website.
