"Music Can Change the World Because It Can Change People"

You wouldn't think that in little Clemson, South Carolina there would be a lot of diversity, but you'd be surprised! Because we live close to the university, there are a lot of different people that are drawn to the area because of it and the diversity that CU brings to the town and surrounding area.

My elementary school was pretty cool because we had so many countries represented within the student population. There were students from India to Korea to Russia. Every year, we had an international festival where all kinds of booths were set up with food and trinkets. In chorus, we learned and performed songs from different cultures. I distinctly remember wearing a blue flowery wrap that is worn as a dress my parents had gotten from Hawaii. While wearing this crazy outfit, I had to dance the Mexican hat dance. I'd say more than just two worlds collided that day!

One summer when I was little, my family took a vacation up to Cherokee, North Carolina. My parents took my sisters and me to see "Unto These Hills" which is a reenactment of the persecution the Cherokees experienced. The play took place in an amphitheater in the backwoods. Around the main stage area were totem poles and one huge teepee.The actors portray typical Native American rituals and ceremonies. Because it was outside, it felt very authentic and portrayed the culture well. During one scene, I remember fringe and feathers flinging around as the dancers jumped around in their sky blue costumes. The beating of the drums echoed through the trees and resounded in my chest. It was so loud!

I even have a little bit of diversity in my own family. My brother-in-law was born in Ecuador; his parents were missionaries there for 22 years. Because he is also a big music person, he brought me back a CD of Quechua music and a handmade panpipe. When he gave it to me, I could barely play it, but after some practice, I finally got it. My brother-in-law on the other hand somehow got it right off the bat.

I have been extremely exposed to pop music. I have seen a variety of groups in concert from the heavy metal and scream-o of Skillet and Red to jazzy soul music of Jimmy Needham. It also helps that neither my boyfriend nor my friends listen to the same music as me.

In high school, our band conductor was fond of foreign cultures' music. For our Veteran's Day program, we played a Korean piece. It actually had a flute solo that I got to play. We also played pieces from Japan and Russia. It was really cool to hear an entire arrangement from a different country!

I am a very curious person, and think I am going to love learning and exploring other cultures.  I am looking forward to looking at the musical world as a musician and music therapist. Yesterday, we listened to the postage office in Ghana, I really enjoyed it and appreciated the creativity of the song. I never thought someone could use an everyday routine in such a musical way! With even that little taste of the class, I KNOW I will enjoy this class!