ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT Praises Historic Event as a 'Symphony of Hope'
American Voices has succeeded in its extraordinary effort to bring cultural diplomacy to Iraq, in the form of The National Unity Performing and Visual Arts Academy.
In a bold, joint effort with the U.S. Embassy, the non-profit organization American Voices created an oasis of artistic expression for over 300 aspiring Iraqi artists. The city of Erbil was infused with the excitement and passion for the performing arts for nine days in July -- Classical, jazz, theater, ballet, Hip-Hop, dance - these multiple genres came alive, and culminated in historic performances, open to the public. In fact, the two gala concerts, on July 21 and 22, were performed to standing-room-only crowds in Peshawa Hall, Erbil. The events were also broadcast live throughout Iraq and internationally on KurdSat, Zagros, Novruz, and other Iraqi television stations.
American Voices has set a new standard for what is possible in the arena of cultural diplomacy. From Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation' (performed by over 100 ballet, folk and Hip-Hop dancers from Baghdad, Erbil and Suleimanya, Iraq) to Duke Ellington...from Vivaldi to 'The Wizard of Oz'...from 'Old Man River' to 'I Got Rhythm'...nothing even close to this initiative has ever taken place in the history of Iraq.
American Voices' Executive Director John Ferguson came up with the concept of transporting a team of professional U.S. and European Arts instructors into Iraq, to provide members of the country's artistic community with a safe environment in which they could come together for a simple, common purpose - creative expression.
The National Unity Performing and Visual Arts Academy was sponsored by U.S. Embassy Baghdad, with support from the Ministry of Culture of the Kurdish Regional Government. Participants included: The Baghdad School of Music and Dance, The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, The Symphony Orchestras of Erbil and Suleimanya, National Folk Dancers of Iraq and the Institutes of Fine Arts in Erbil, Suleimanya and Dohuk. Austrian Airlines served as a sponsor as well.
DOWN BEAT Magazine praised the Academy in the 'Jazz on Campus/School Notes' column of their July issue.
Another significant impact of the Erbil Academy was that American Voices managed to deliver a wide range of donated materials to Iraqi artists and music librarians. Instruments included trumpets and violins, new strings, equipment for woodwind and brass, and more. In addition, an over-200 volume library of music scores, method books and orchestral music was donated to four different music libraries (Baghdad, Erbil, Suleimanya and Rania) via Ferguson's organization and Academy faculty members.
In the months ahead, American Voices intends to return to Iraq with teacher training and performance programs for string instruments, Hip Hop dance, children's musical theater, and more. As you'll see from the AAJ interview (link above) and the background on John Ferguson (below,) American Voices offers a year-round program of Cultural Diplomacy. The non-profit organization's consistent track record of success, and its growing, world- wide impact, is nothing short of astounding.
American Voices is a Houston, Texas-based not-for-profit organization, created in 1993 by Executive Director John Ferguson. Nearly every international Arts program Ferguson has initiated in the years since has been precedent setting. The original mission of American Voices was to provide quality American cultural programming to the newly open societies of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Since then, American Voices' geographic range has grown to encompass eighteen time zones from Peru to the Philippines, with artists performing concerts, workshops and master classes (as well as interactive performance projects) to over 200,000 audience members in 79 countries on five continents. Millions more have been reached through live television and radio broadcasts across the globe.
In February of 2007, Ferguson brought American Voices into the heart of Baghdad for a historic concert held at the Al Rasheed Hotel and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. The unlikely music and dance program was greeted by a standing ovation from the mostly Iraqi audience. Featuring Vocalist and Dancer Michael Parks Masterson and Ferguson on piano, the concert culminated in a joint performance with the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra performing a jazz and Broadway repertoire for the first time in its history. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes made an appearance at the concert as well. In fact, the warm response to the Baghdad event inspired the development of the recent Summer Arts Academy in Erbil.
American Voices is a not-for-profit organization with incorporation in both the United States and the European Union (The Netherlands). All sponsorship donations are tax deductible under US and EU law.
American Voices has succeeded in its extraordinary effort to bring cultural diplomacy to Iraq, in the form of The National Unity Performing and Visual Arts Academy.
In a bold, joint effort with the U.S. Embassy, the non-profit organization American Voices created an oasis of artistic expression for over 300 aspiring Iraqi artists. The city of Erbil was infused with the excitement and passion for the performing arts for nine days in July -- Classical, jazz, theater, ballet, Hip-Hop, dance - these multiple genres came alive, and culminated in historic performances, open to the public. In fact, the two gala concerts, on July 21 and 22, were performed to standing-room-only crowds in Peshawa Hall, Erbil. The events were also broadcast live throughout Iraq and internationally on KurdSat, Zagros, Novruz, and other Iraqi television stations.
American Voices has set a new standard for what is possible in the arena of cultural diplomacy. From Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation' (performed by over 100 ballet, folk and Hip-Hop dancers from Baghdad, Erbil and Suleimanya, Iraq) to Duke Ellington...from Vivaldi to 'The Wizard of Oz'...from 'Old Man River' to 'I Got Rhythm'...nothing even close to this initiative has ever taken place in the history of Iraq.
American Voices' Executive Director John Ferguson came up with the concept of transporting a team of professional U.S. and European Arts instructors into Iraq, to provide members of the country's artistic community with a safe environment in which they could come together for a simple, common purpose - creative expression.
The National Unity Performing and Visual Arts Academy was sponsored by U.S. Embassy Baghdad, with support from the Ministry of Culture of the Kurdish Regional Government. Participants included: The Baghdad School of Music and Dance, The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, The Symphony Orchestras of Erbil and Suleimanya, National Folk Dancers of Iraq and the Institutes of Fine Arts in Erbil, Suleimanya and Dohuk. Austrian Airlines served as a sponsor as well.
DOWN BEAT Magazine praised the Academy in the 'Jazz on Campus/School Notes' column of their July issue.
Another significant impact of the Erbil Academy was that American Voices managed to deliver a wide range of donated materials to Iraqi artists and music librarians. Instruments included trumpets and violins, new strings, equipment for woodwind and brass, and more. In addition, an over-200 volume library of music scores, method books and orchestral music was donated to four different music libraries (Baghdad, Erbil, Suleimanya and Rania) via Ferguson's organization and Academy faculty members.
In the months ahead, American Voices intends to return to Iraq with teacher training and performance programs for string instruments, Hip Hop dance, children's musical theater, and more. As you'll see from the AAJ interview (link above) and the background on John Ferguson (below,) American Voices offers a year-round program of Cultural Diplomacy. The non-profit organization's consistent track record of success, and its growing, world- wide impact, is nothing short of astounding.
American Voices is a Houston, Texas-based not-for-profit organization, created in 1993 by Executive Director John Ferguson. Nearly every international Arts program Ferguson has initiated in the years since has been precedent setting. The original mission of American Voices was to provide quality American cultural programming to the newly open societies of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Since then, American Voices' geographic range has grown to encompass eighteen time zones from Peru to the Philippines, with artists performing concerts, workshops and master classes (as well as interactive performance projects) to over 200,000 audience members in 79 countries on five continents. Millions more have been reached through live television and radio broadcasts across the globe.
In February of 2007, Ferguson brought American Voices into the heart of Baghdad for a historic concert held at the Al Rasheed Hotel and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. The unlikely music and dance program was greeted by a standing ovation from the mostly Iraqi audience. Featuring Vocalist and Dancer Michael Parks Masterson and Ferguson on piano, the concert culminated in a joint performance with the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra performing a jazz and Broadway repertoire for the first time in its history. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes made an appearance at the concert as well. In fact, the warm response to the Baghdad event inspired the development of the recent Summer Arts Academy in Erbil.
American Voices is a not-for-profit organization with incorporation in both the United States and the European Union (The Netherlands). All sponsorship donations are tax deductible under US and EU law.
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