Inclusion is more than a theme—it’s a necessity. Too often, individuals and families who don’t speak the dominant language, who hold different cultural values, or who live with disabilities are left out of systems that should serve us all. I’ve seen firsthand how painful exclusion can be—from the mothers I support as a cultural worker to the youth I guide through music.

At this festival, I sing for those who have been made invisible. I sing to remind us that equity means more than just access—it means belonging.