YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A concert in Youngstown, as well as several other Ohio cities, by a chamber music ensemble was canceled after one of the musicians was denied entry to the United States and forced to return to the Czech Republic.
Trio Mente was scheduled to perform at Youngstown Country Club in Liberty Township on July 20 as part of an event dubbed Brunch & Bohemia, sponsored by Simply Slavic, the New Music Guild and the country club. The event has been canceled, according to Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer, spokesperson for the group.
Jaroslav Skuta, clarinetist for the ensemble, was detained at Detroit Metro Airport upon his arrival from Prague, Czech Republic, on July 1.
A spokesman for the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said Skuta didn’t have the proper visa to enter the country and misrepresented the purpose of his travel.
Trio Mente was also scheduled to perform this month in Kent, Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton and Cincinnati. All performances have been canceled.
The concert was to spotlight Czech and Slavic composers.
The story has been reported by several news outlets in and around Ohio.
“The situation deeply saddens us,” Heschmeyer said. “The intent of this performance – and the entire tour – was to bring Slavic musical heritage to the communities with shared cultural ties. We remain hopeful for the opportunity to host this talented ensemble in the future.”
In a letter he sent to the sponsors of the concerts to announce that the tour has been canceled, Skuta said he was “extremely devastated and heartbroken.”
He also described his ordeal, which started when he was detained by immigration officers upon his arrival at the Detroit airport.
“What followed was one of the most humiliating and traumatizing experiences of my life,” Skuta wrote. “I was held in custody for hours, with my phone and all personal devices taken away. I was subjected to aggressive, demeaning interrogation and threats of jail time. Despite having all the necessary documentation and clear evidence of the cultural and noncommercial nature of our project, I was treated with suspicion and hostility from the very beginning.”
After five hours of interrogation, Skuta said he was forced to return to Prague.
“I am truly devastated,” he continued. “This experience has left me shaken to the core emotionally, mentally and physically. It is difficult to describe the fear and helplessness I felt in that moment, and the profound sense of injustice that still lingers. I had come to the U.S. with genuine intentions: to bring Czech music to Czech-American and other small communities, to share something beautiful and meaningful through chamber music. Instead, I was met with disbelief and mistrust, and our dream of connecting with these communities was taken away in an instant.”
Skuta concluded his letter by saying he hopes to return to the United States in the future “when the climate becomes more welcoming to international artists and cultural exchange.”
The other members of Trio Mente are pianist Meng Yuan (China/U.S.) and violinist Dan Qiao (China/U.S.)
John B. Mennell, public affairs specialist for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, released a statement July 6 explaining why Skuta was denied entry. The statement was reported by The Akron Beacon Journal.
“On July 1, Jaroslav Skuta arrived at Detroit Metro Airport claiming to be entering the U.S. for tourism,” Mennell stated. “During inspection, it was determined he had misrepresented the purpose of his travel and was actually scheduled to perform at multiple events as a professional musician. Performing in the United States constitutes work and requires the appropriate employment-based visa. Skuta did not have the required visa, was refused entry, and returned on the next available [flight].”
Pictured at top: Jaroslav Skuta.