About the 中美Dance Diplomacy Initiative

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中美Dance Diplomacy is an initiative to empower American and Chinese high school students through a cross-cultural exchange. The initiative brings American youth to China and will now also bring Chinese dancers to the US. The program is designed to empower participants to represent and share their cultures with one another while broadening their dance abilities and developing valuable professional skills with a global perspective. In partnership with Chinese and American dance schools and institutions, APSA competitively selects dancers to participate as diplomats in the intensive exchange program.

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To learn more, head here.

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EDU AFRICA DANCE DIPLOMACY VIRTUAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

 

In November 2020, 10 middle and high school students participated in a virtual exchange dance diplomacy program through our ongoing partnership with Americans Promoting Study Abroad (APSA), The Asia Institute and EDUAFRICA. This program introduced the students to a variety of cultural practices indigenous to Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Through both synchronous and asynchronous methods, students explored, experienced, and engaged in dance classes with Sarakasi Trust (KENYA), Roots of Rhythm (SOUTH AFRICA), and Jibilika Dance Trust (ZIMBABWE), whereby they were introduced to traditional African dance, song and rhythm. In addition, they participated in cultural and knowledge exchange activities with local Kenya students. 

 

These engagements enabled students to investigate the meaning of culture in their own home contexts and share aspects that are central or meaningful to their culture(s) while also learning about aspects of their peers’ culture(s). Kenyan students were introduced to African-American culture and traditions. Students from Sarakasi Trust participated in a Hip-Hop class led by David “Sincere” Aiken. They also learned about the Principles of Kwanzaa and the connection between Tap and African through the Tap Dance is Music Project, led by Omar Edwards.

 

Dancers from Sarakasi Trust  led the ESOTA Kwanzaa Extravaganza 2020 audience in a candle lighting ceremony. The cast rehearsed via Zoom by Tyra Emerson of Cultural Collaborative Jamaica. ESOTA's Storytelling class had the honor of lighting each candle. 

 

This program was made possible with the support of the Asia Institute, EDUAfrica, Sarakasi Trust, Cultural Collaborative Jamaica and Council Member I. Daneek Miller (CD27)