Pace University students, enrolled in the “Producing the Documentary” course (MCA 370/MCA 655), recently traveled to the Azorean islands of São Miguel and Terceira to film a documentary titled Viola da Terra: Harmony of the Azores.
As part of a faculty-led study abroad program, the project explored the cultural significance of the Viola da Terra, a traditional 12–15 string instrument integral to Azorean music and identity.
The documentary, scheduled to premiere on May 5, 2025, at the Jacob Burns Film Center, in New York, is part of Pace University’s commitment to providing students with immersive, real-world experiences that enhance their academic learning and global awareness.
Professor Maria Luskay, who led the course, praised the students’ growth by saying, “From navigating travel between two of the Azores’ nine islands to conducting complex interviews and editing in multiple languages, they’ve grown into real-world storytellers—and it shows in this film.”
Jackson Blackburn, a senior in the combined BA/MA digital communication and media/multimedia program, also shared his insights on the experience:
“Working on Viola da Terra was a completely different but equally powerful experience. Having also been part of the PaceDocs team last year for The Cooper, I came into this project with a deeper appreciation for the process, but the cultural connection and emotion in the Azores brought something new. It reminded me why storytelling matters,” he said.
During their time in the Azores, the student filmmakers engaged with local musicians, including master musician Rafael Carvalho, visited his music school, and documented performances by students and local artists. They also toured a viola-making workshop led by artisan Hugo Raposo. On Terceira Island, they conducted interviews at City Hall with Mayor José Gabriel do Álamo de Meneses and filmed at the Angra do Heroísmo Interpretive Center.
The Viola da Terra, (viola of the land) is distinguished by its heart-shaped sound holes and typically features 12 or 15 metal strings arranged in five or six courses. This instrument is deeply embedded in Azorean musical traditions and is often associated with the genre of saudade, expressing themes of longing and nostalgia.
The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a nonprofit cultural arts center located in Pleasantville, New York. Established in 2001, the center is dedicated to presenting independent, documentary, and world cinema. The center’s programs serve over 5,000 students annually from more than 60 schools and community organizations.
Pace University, established in 1906 by brothers Homer and Charles Pace, is a private institution with campuses in New York City and Westchester County. With a student body of over 14,000, Pace offers a diverse range of programs across its seven colleges and schools, including the Lubin School of Business, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, and Elisabeth Haub School of Law.
Tickets for the screening and reception are available here. More information about Pace University’s study abroad program in the Azores @ www. pace.edu
Carolina Matos/Editor
The Azores (population 250,000) is a region of Portugal composed of nine islands. The archipelago, discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, became an Autonomous Region of Portugal in 1976. The government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores includes the Legislative Assembly, composed of 57 elected deputies, elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term; the Regional Government and Presidency, with parliamentary legitimacy, composed of a President, a Vice-President and seven Regional Secretaries responsible for the Regional Government’s executive operations. The Autonomous Region of the Azores is represented in the Council of Ministers of the Central Government by a representative appointed by the President of Portugal. According to the latest US census, over 1.3 million individuals of Portuguese descent live in the United States, the majority with roots in the Azores. It is estimated that over 20,000 US citizens live in Portugal.
