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Historic Unity Performing Arts Academy in Iraq
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The Unity Performing Arts Academy in Iraq recently drew to a jubilant close in Erbil, N. Iraq after 10 days of workshops, rehearsals and performances of Symphonic repertoire, Hip Hop dance, Broadway and Jazz with over 300 Iraqi musicians, actors and dancers. Please view the ABC Nightly News Broadcast of July 27 for a short overview of our activities.
Designed to offer Iraqis from Baghdad an oasis of calm in which to continue their artistic development as well as give new educational and performance opportunities to ethnic Kurdish Iraqis, the Unity Academy featured an American faculty of ten teaching music, dance and theater to students and professionals ranging in age from eight to adult.
In addition to the teaching activities, extensive orchestral, chamber music and instrumental method books were donated to four music libraries in Baghdad, Erbil, Suleimanya and Rania. Other donations included instruments (drum sets, violins, trumpets), reeds, music stands and new strings.
The two gala concerts on July 21 and 22 performed to overflow audiences at Erbil's new Peshawa Hall and were broadcast live throughout Iraq.
The project drew intense interest from both the local and international media. Not only was this the first time such art forms had been performed in Erbil, but it was also the first time so many Iraqis from around the country had been united on one stage.
American Voices would like to thank the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for their support as well as our project sponsors Austrian Airlines and Zagros Air.
