From June 25 through July 5 of 2010, I had the extraordinary opportunity to tour Cuba with the Yale Alumni Chorus and my father, Frederick Gardner (class of 1955). Currently under the rule of President Raúl Castro, the US embargo against the country remains in force. Although this has been loosened for arts and humanitarian visits as well as some tour groups in the last 5 years, Cuba is still virtually inaccessible to the majority of Americans.



The Chorus visited Havana and Matanzas. We were 200+ strong and had the fortunate experience of performing with and seeing performances by the Coro Nacional de Cuba and the Orquestra Solistas de La Habana.



One of my lifelong dreams was to visit and photograph Cuba before the end of the US embargo. I wanted to see a country that was minimally influenced by the modern American culture. A country that had been virtually stuck in time since the 1950s. Thanks to my father inviting me to come along with him, that dream came true.



The best part of the trip for me was being able to share it with him. Merry Christmas, Dad!