Press & Media

United Nations Pavilion

Official Statement | October 11, 2025

"We were delighted to co-organize a music event with the LIVE EARTH JOURNEY Pavilion, which brought together pianist Theodore Chaffman, composer Ryota Nozaki, violinist Aya Ito, and the Earth Saver Children's Choir to perform songs related to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly biodiversity."

— United Nations Department of Global Communications, Expo 2025 Official Update

USA Pavilion Official

Featured Performer Profile | October 2025

"With training from The Juilliard School and a background in both classical performance and improvisation, his programs invite audiences into a musical dialogue that spans continents and cultures. At the Pavilion, Theodore performs works from American, Japanese, and global traditions - bridging musical heritage and shared values through sound."

Featured as part of Cohort 3 performers representing the United States at World Expo 2025, Osaka.

USA Pavilion Official

Cultural Collaboration Feature | September 2025

"A truly special performance at the USA Pavilion. Our pianist Theodore collaborated with Kumar — a world-renowned sitar player from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Known for blending classical Indian music with world sounds, Kumar brought his artistry to the Expo stage. Together, they created a performance that captured the beauty of cultures coming together. This is the magic of Expo! 🇺🇸🇲🇾"

Cross-cultural improvisation featuring traditional Malaysian sitar and piano at the U.S. Pavilion.

Malaysia Pavilion Official Channel

Cultural Collaboration Documentary | August 2025

"A harmonious blend of East and West – the enchanting duet between the sitar and piano brought the Malaysia Pavilion and USA Pavilion together in a powerful celebration of cultural connection. Performing alongside our friends from the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka was a proud moment that honoured creativity, respect, and unity through the universal language of music."

Video interview with Theodore Chaffman and Kumaresan Karthigesu.

Harmony of Life: UN × Signature Pavilion

Official Event Report | October 2025

"It was an honor to collaborate with the United Nations Pavilion in showing how music can express the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals. The event reminded me how deeply the arts can connect people across cultures and inspire a shared sense of purpose for the future."

— Theodore Chaffman

Collaborative program between the United Nations Pavilion and Shoji Kawamori's LIVE EARTH JOURNEY Pavilion, held two days before Expo closing. Performance of Debussy's Pagodes aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 17: "Partnership for the Goals." Event featured remarks from UN Assistant Secretary-General Maher Nasser and performance alongside the Earth Saver Children's Choir.

Kumaresan Karthigesu

National Sitar Master, Malaysia | August 2025

"Back in Malaysia from an amazing trip to Osaka - including a chance performance at the USA Pavilion with Theodore Chaffman, who invited me to do a free improvisation with him. Despite a crazy short soundcheck and 20min rehearsal, our performance came out superbly, with some sublime musical moments."

Cross-cultural improvisation performed at the U.S. Pavilion with diplomatic audiences from both nations present. Special thanks to the Ministries of International Trade and Industry, and Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia, and the U.S. and Malaysian Pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Art of the Piano Festival

Young Artists Directory | June 2024

"Theodore Chaffman is a dynamic pianist and cultural diplomat, captivating audiences from Vienna's Konzerthaus to sold-out recitals in New York's underground classical scene. He has achieved significant recognition in prestigious competitions, including winning grand prix at the American University concerto competition, second prize at the Alexandria Symphony concerto competition, and being a finalist at the 2023 Charleston international music competition."

Featured in official directory after receiving full scholarship to the Art of the Piano Festival, studying with Garrick Ohlsson, Jon Nakamatsu, and Vladimir Feltsman.

Classic FM (UK)

Commentary on Digital Performance Innovation | June 2020

"This performance is special because the length of this piece might not be feasible in a concert hall, but it becomes possible through the live stream format. Musicians are on to something with these quarantine live streams, especially as a venue for less conventional programming."

— Theodore Chaffman

Featured commentary in one of the UK's leading classical music publications during coverage of Igor Levit's historic 20-hour performance of Erik Satie's "Vexations".