By Shruti Bhatt

UMD’s multilingual, multicultural a capella group, Ethnobeat, held its 2017 Fall Auditions Sept. 20 and 21 at Stamp Student Union. 

Ethnobeat, which was established in 2014, stands out from other a capella groups on this campus in that the songs they perform come from all around the world. The group’s mission is to unite people of various backgrounds and cultures through their varying song choices.

Sophomore letters and sciences major Lena Pei was one of many who signed up to audition for Ethnobeat.

Pei, who moved from China to the United States three years ago, said that despite her being nervous about performing in front of an audience, she has always been passionate about singing. Ethnobeat was the first club she decided to join on this campus.

“The only time I sing is usually while I’m cooking,” said Pei, adding that she decided to audition with a song from “Cats,” the musical, which she stumbled upon while studying one day. “It’s a totally random song.”

Freshman Letters and Science major Sebastian Gutierrez also decided to audition for Ethnobeat upon arriving to this university, noting that he sang in his high school choir and appreciated the group’s mission to unite singers of “different backgrounds” on campus.

Gutierrez sang a song by Alvaro Soler, a Spanish singer with particular notoriety in Europe and Latin America.

Senior behavioral and community health sciences major Lauren Chan, and junior environmental science major Gabe Moses, who are both in Ethnobeat, said the group gives them the opportunity to meet people from all over the map.

“It just brings everyone together,” Chan said.

Ethnobeat has performed at various events on campus, including “Know Your Roots,” a cultural talent show for people of various backgrounds. This past semester, they hosted their very own show.

Ethnobeat meets every Thursday and Sunday to practice and work on their performances.