Center for World Music Study Abroad Programs

Location: China: Beijing, Nanjing and 2 other cities; Ghana: Accra, Cape Coast and 2 other cities; India: Ahmedabad, Hyderabad; Indonesia: Rural Areas, Solo city and 2 other cities; Mexico: Tampico; Peru: Cusco; Turkey: Istanbul

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter, Throughout the year

Dates: January, June, July, November, December

Center for World Music and Related Arts

137 Highline Tr. El Cajon, CA 92021 United States

Description

The Center for World Music is a nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to foster awareness and understanding of the world's performing arts and cultural traditions through programs of performance and teaching, including study abroad workshops. The organization sponsors cultural tours and study abroad workshops in several areas of the world. In 2012, travel and learning opportunities will be offered in Turkey, China, Indonesia, Ghana, India, Mexico, and Peru.

From its very first teaching programs in San Francisco in 1963, the Center for World Music was inspired to high standards in music and dance by its first two artist/teachers, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and the legendary Indian dancer, Balasaraswati. For sixteen years the Center sponsored hundreds of concerts, introduced many prominent Asian artists and companies through national tours, and was instrumental in creating the rich mix of world performing arts activities in the Bay Area by training hundreds of American students. Many of them are now leaders in their fields.

The Center moved its headquarters to San Diego in 1979, and continues its long tradition of sponsoring leading performers in concert and providing instruction by accomplished teachers in music, dance and theater, mainly from Asia, but also including--as its name indicates--a range encompassing Africa, Latin America, Europe and North America.

Beginning in 1971, the Center began to organize summer study abroad for American students. In recent years the programs have been held at Flower Mountain in Payangan, Bali, using facilities built for that purpose by the Center's founder and former president, the late Dr. Robert E. Brown.

Highlights

Turkey: The great and cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, lying partly in Europe and
partly in Asia on the banks of the Bosphorus, is filled with monuments from
its Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Turkish past.

Peru: Music focus is on traditional Andean (siku/tarka group), and Andean folklore-popular (charango, guitar, kena, siku, bombo), visit to instrument workshops; one dance workshop; the group Wiñay Taki in Pisac and contradanza dance group in Ollantaytambo.

Indonesia: The Bali Workshop, to be held at Flower Mountain, Payangan, will focus on the music, dance, and puppetry from Sunda, Java, and Bali. The Payangan Festival will present different styles of Balinese music, dance and theater from Payangan village and other areas of Bali. The Java tour will focus on the traditional performing arts (music, dance, and theater), the visual arts (including Hindu and Buddhist monuments), and traditional Indonesian and Javanese cuisine.

China: It has often been said that the best way to know a culture is through its music. It is the purpose of Way of the Qin to immerse travelers--both foreign and Chinese--in traditional culture through active study of, and participation in, music.

Ghana: The workshop in traditional Ewe music and dance will take place in the village of Ho and a tour of the cultural highlights of Southern Ghana will follow. There will be trips to local villages, performances, ceremonies, and a visit to Accra, markets, Cape Coast Castle, Elmina Castle, and the University of Legon.

India: The workshop will include daily group instruction with Sri Abhiman Kaushal.
Additional evening instruction from Miles Shrewsbery is also included. Participants will attend the Saptak Music Festival and the music festival in Ahmedabad India, and visit historical sites, concerts, and music colleges.

Mexico: The huapango workshop, to be held in Cerro Azul and Amatlan, will focus on the traditional music, dance, and singing of the area. Participants will visit local sites of interest including ancient pyramids, rural villages and ranches, and local markets. This annual event presents the best huapango musicians and dancers from around the world during a three-day festival in the beautiful town of Amatlan.

Degree Level

Masters Degree

Cost in US$:

Please inquire for more information.

Cost Includes:

Cost Include Description:

The most inexpensive program is the one week Java tour, the most expensive program is the 3-week workshop and tour of Ghana (but it includes airfare).

Credit Available

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Dormitory
  • Group living
  • Guest House
  • Home-stays
  • Independent living
  • Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves
  • Written Application
Post Services Include
  • Exit Debriefing Abroad
Center for World Music and Related Arts's Mission Statement

The Center for World Music is a nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to foster awareness and understanding of the world's performing arts and cultural traditions through programs of performance and teaching, including study abroad workshops.

Year Founded

1963

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