Heartbeat, an internationally-known ensemble of Israeli and Palestinian youth musicians, will give a concert on March 10 at 7 p.m. at Bradley University kicking off "Fulbright Week" activities on campus. The concert will take place in the Michel Student Center ballroom and is free and open to the public.
Bradley's Fulbright Advisory Committee, supported by the Burgess Award for Excellence in Interdepartmental Collaboration, has organized "Fulbright Week" to raise awareness on campus of the Fulbright mission and to increase successful faculty and student applications for Fulbright grants.
The Heartbeat project of promoting non-violent conflict resolution through music was made possible by a Fulbright MTV-U award. In addition to raising awareness of Fulbright through the very compelling story of these young musicians, the event is a unique opportunity to educate the Bradley and Peoria communities about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and grassroots efforts to promote peace in that volatile region.
Ten current faculty members at Bradley have been awarded Senior Fulbright Scholar grants during their careers to teach and research around the globe through this most prestigious international educational exchange program. In the last four years, five Bradley students have won Fulbright grants.
About Heartbeat:
Heartbeat, an ensemble of accomplished Arab and Jewish youth artists (ages 18 - 24), has performed across Israel, Palestine, Germany and the US and is now touring giving performances at universities and music venues.
As war grips the Middle East and inequalities across racial and economic lines plague every community on earth, the young musicians of Heartbeat take the stage across the US with their dynamic blend of Eastern and Arabic music, Western rock, hip hop, jazz and reggae that challenges the segregation, inequalities and racism that fuels violent conflict around the world. During this tour they aim to amplify the voices of the silent majority of peaceseeking Palestinians, Israelis, and Americans to advance dignity and freedom for all people.
Based in Jerusalem, Heartbeat is an international nonprofit organization uniting musicians, educators, and students to build mutual understanding and transform conflict through the power of music. Founded in 2007 under a FulbrightMTVu award, Heartbeat unites Israeli and Palestinian youth musicians to build critical understanding, develop creative nonviolent tools for social change, and amplify their voices to influence the world around them. Engaging in an ongoing music-based dialogue process, Heartbeat youth develop creative skills to express themselves and become agents for change; partnering to build a safe, equitable future.
At each event, Heartbeat musicians will share their experiences of growing up amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting their creative effort to build a better future as members of Heartbeat. Each concert offers a unique window into the lives of these courageous young artists and will forge lasting connections between communities in the US and the Middle East.
