Meredith Monk Visits Syria
American musician Meredith Monk taught Syrian students how to sing and dance.
In an unusual exchange of two cultures, Meredith Monk, American performance artist and musician, taught Syrian students how to sing and dance Monday. According to Reuters, Monk held lessons on vocal and choreographic techniques before a concert at the national conservatoire in Damascus.
Syria supports anti-U.S. groups in the Middle East and therefore Washington has imposed a sanction on the country. Monk was invited by the Syrian government to perform in celebration of Damascus as the 2008 capital of Arab culture. She is the first American to perform in the country since Freddie Bryant and Kaleidoscope in 2004.
Monk decided to become involved with Syrian artists through her workshops in an attempt to better understand their musical knowledge and cultural background. Late Arab singer Umm Kalthoum is one of Monk's favorite singers because she practiced traditional forms of music and singing.
"Music is as fundamental as breathing. It speaks to anybody," Monk said. "This is why I am here. The politics do not matter."
