A local arts group is hoping a violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra can inspire the Naperville community to develop a means of bringing classical music to underserved populations.

Vijay Gupta will be in Naperville at the end of February to speak about how music inspires hope and how all people are connected by a human need for art. His visit is being hosted by Naperville-based ARTSpeaks, a group that raises awareness of the role of the arts in public education.

An accomplished violinist, the Indian-American made his solo debut at age 11 with the Israel Philharmonic. Eight years later, Gupta joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic after having completed an undergraduate degree in biology and a master’s degree in violin performance.

Since then, Gupta founded Street Symphony, a nonprofit organization that brings to live classical music to the homeless and to those incarcerated in the Los Angeles County jail system.

During his Feb. 26-28 visit, Gupta will address high school students and educators at Naperville School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204.

He also will give a community talk on “The Power of Music to Heal” at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in North Central College’s Wentz Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., in Naperville. Admission is free, but a ticket is required and can be obtained at finearts.northcentralcollege.edu by clicking on the Feb. 27 date.

Charles “Chip” Staley said he’s been working to bring Gupta to Naperville since ARTSpeaks was created six years ago.

Staley, the organization’s chairman, thinks Gupta’s message of music being essential to human life will resonate with Naperville-area residents.

Among the ideas Gupta will explore is the connection between music and mental health and how his work as director of Street Symphony can lift people from the darkness they’re experiencing.

Many of the people Gupta and his fellow musicians reach would never get the opportunity or have the money to hear quality, live classical music, Staley said. “They don’t have access to music. They can’t go to a symphony,” he said.

What Gupta has learned, Staley said, is how much the music gives people hope so they can envision their lives outside their current condition.

In cities like Naperville, people feel connected to their community, he said. But people who are homeless, incarcerated or transient often are treated as separate or hidden, he said. Music can be that link.

“We’re all connected as human beings,” Staley said. “We all share a common bond through the arts” The problem is “some people have access to art; some people don’t.”

Staley said he’d like to see Gupta’s talks inspire partnerships between Naperville businesses, schools, civic groups and social service agencies to bring music to people who don’t have access to it. What form that takes will be up to people’s imaginations, he said.

The violinist’s trip to Naperville won’t be all talk. Gupta will spend a portion of his time practicing what he preaches by performing at a local homeless shelter, Staley said.

“Ultimately it’s an introduction of ideas on serving the underserved and helping people have an elevated view of the future,” he said.

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