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(Please scroll down for more photos by Michael Luongo, www.michaelluongo.com)

American Voices has succeeded in its bold effort to bring cultural diplomacy to Iraq, in the form of The Unity Performing and Visual Arts Academy.

In an extraordinary joint effort with the U.S. Embassy, 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.

ABC News Correspondent Terry McCarthy, seen in the ABC Nightly News Broadcast on the Academy followed up the segment with an essay of his own entitled 'Symphony of Hope'

http://blogs.abcnews.com/bizarrebazaar/2007/07/symphony-of-hop.html

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, Austrian Airlines and Zagros Air. 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.

American Voices wishes to the large number of individuals who donated materials and financial support to this project:

American Voices and The Embassy of the United States in Baghdad would like to thank the following organizations, companies and individuals who generously donated in a variety of ways to this important moment in the cultural life of this country:

Business Community:
Austrian Airlines
The Drum Workshop, Inc., Oxnard, CA
Alfred Publishing Co., Inc., Van Nuys, CA
Zagros Airlines , Erbil
Jamey Aebersold Jazz, New Albany, NY
Shar Music, Michael Avsharian, Ann Arbor, MI
D'Addario and Company, Inc. for String Instruments, Farmingdale, NY
Southwest Strings, Tucson, AZ
The Music Station
Brass Band Warehouse, Melville, New York
Jeffrey James and James Arts Consulting, Farmingdale, NY
Brodt Music, Charlotte, NC
Down Beat Magazine, Elmhurst, IL
Charles Double Reed Company, Nort Conway, NH
AT&T, St. Louis, MO
The Trumpet Trader, Greeley, CO
Strings and Other Things, New York City, NY
Bravo Violins, Orange Park. FL
Circle of Dance, Glen Head, NY
Clemens Violins, Violas and Violincellos, St. Louis, MO
Flesher-Hinton Music Company, Greeley, CO
Chestnut Brass Quintet, Greeley, CO

Academic, Diplomatic and Not-for-Profit Community:
Allegra Klein and Musicians For Harmony
American Symphony Orchestra League
St Louis Symphony Orchestra
The National Orchestra of Bolivia
The Uncuyo Orchestra of Mendoza, Argentina
San Diego Chamber Orchestra
Christine Haff Paluck and Oberlin Conservatory
University of Northern Colorado Jazz Press
Pam Brasch and the Suzuki Association of the Americas
Theater Under the Stars
Steve Shaiman and Concert Artists Guild
Kim Dubois and the Staff of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
Mario Crifo and the Staff of the Regional Reconstruction Team, Erbil

Individuals and Families:
Tom Estus and Family, Houston
Allen Lieb, Suzuki Teacher, New York City
Steve Danyew, Composer, Miami
Jennifer Higdon, Composer, New York
Dr. Mohsen Edward Rezkalla, Cairo
Michael Luongo, Photographer, New York
Rachel Dvoretzky and Barbara Shreffler, American Voices, Houston
Larry Dachslager, Houston
Deborah Bloom, St. Louis
James Braun, St. Charles
Christine Brewer, Lebanon, Illinois
Stephanie DeChambeau, St. Louis
Emily Ho, St. Louis
Sarah Hogan, St. Louis
Jo Ann Taylor Kindle, St. Louis
Eugene Kornblum, St. Louis
Linda Lee, Chesterfield
Veronica McDonnell. St Louis
Kathryn Nettleman, Skokie
Vera Parker, Edwardsville
Roger and Jane Thayer, Edgartown
Gene Aitken, Greeley
Grey Barrier, Greeley
Jerome Rose, New York
Roelof Bijkerk, Grand Rapids