New Ideas CityHello Museum

Sustainable City Sounds

Cover Image:

Bash the Trash, 2012. Photo by Maggiotto Studios

Bash the Trash builds, performs, and educates with musical instruments made from reused and repurposed materials. Based in New York City, Bash the Trash combines science, music, and environmental awareness through performances, educational programs, and social initiatives. Bash the Trash’s scientist-musicians have invented and composed for an entire orchestra of strange-looking but great-sounding musical instruments, including brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion.

Founded in 1988 by the husband-and-wife team of John Bertles and Carina Piaggio, Bash the Trash reaches out to students, families, and educators throughout the world to promote their message of fun, science-based environmental arts education. They’ve jammed with Yo-Yo Ma, performed at Carnegie Hall, and led environmental parades through Washington DC.

Bash the Trash provides professional and program development for educators through the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as well as through internships, master classes for graduate students, apprenticeships, and training programs for new teaching artists.

Bash the Trash is also a professional performance group, playing in festivals, at arts centers, and on other stages around the United States and the world.