August Newsletter
Dear friends,
As we wrap up the end of the summer (or winter, depending on where you are!), we are pleased to welcome the new season with exciting news and events.
Triple Threat Academy Closing Ceremony Highlights
Last month marked the end of our ambitious 5 month long cultural diplomacy program, The Triple Threat Academy. After weeks of training in artistry, advocacy and entrepreneurship, the students showcased their work through performances and collaboration, including their very own iteration of TCP initiative, Hear Her Song. We are extremely delighted to share the closing ceremony highlights with you all. We give our most sincere thanks to our collaborators, the Jakarta Performing Arts Community (JPAC), US Embassy Jakarta, American Voices and the Arts Envoy Initiative of U.S. Department of State and of course, to all of our wonderful participants.
Cultural Diplomacy Study Group Fall 22 Announcement
We are excited to share that the Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy will be continuing this fall. Please stay tuned for more news to come soon!
Featuring New Initiative: Pen Pals Through Music
We are extremely proud to showcase a new TCP initiative, Pen Pals Through Music! Furthering efforts in increasing cultural diplomacy practices Pen Pals Through Music seeks to directly connect musicians in the United States in China. The vision of PPTM states: In a critical moment in our collective history, it can be hard to see similarities between the two countries. However this project aims to unite these two communities through a shared admiration for music’s ability to tell stories. Music can create a bridge between the countries. This vision not only serves the mission, which seeks to foster global friendships and provide cultural understanding through music, but also any and all actors interested in harnessing cultural diplomacy for global connection.
The initiative is led by William Robbins, a violinist, instructor and emerging leader in cultural diplomacy. William conceptualized the project after meeting TCP director and founder, Carla Canales, as colleagues at a Harvard University Intensive Mandarin summer course. Having attended a performing arts school since fifth grade, William has had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in an education that encompasses itself around the performing arts. At school, William participates in a daily chamber orchestra and a daily chamber choir, where he has the opportunity to deepen his passion for music education. A performing arts education has taught him that learning about cultures throughout the world and expanding mutual understanding does not stop when one leaves the conventional academic setting. Instead, it continues through music. Music reveals many things, but what William finds most interesting is its ability to tell stories. Please join us in our congratulations to William! You can learn more about the program on our site below.