U.S. Consulate General Karachi hosted 80 young alumni for a networking opportunity and musical performance by OneBeat alumnus Usman Riaz on February 2.  Alumni from SUSI, U-Grad, YES, Space Camp, Benjamin Franklin and English Access listened to Usman’s music and an interactive multimedia presentation about his OneBeat experience.  They heard his appreciation for OneBeat and the diversity of fellow participants.  Check out this amazing video of Riaz leading a flashmob performance of his piece “Rukus” at Walmart New Smyrna Beach, Florida: http://vimeo.com/49936003.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/49936003]

OneBeat is a new international cultural exchange by the U.S. Department of State that celebrates the transformative power of the arts through the creation of original, inventive music, and people-to-people diplomacy. This year and next, around 30 exceptional young musicians from around the world will come together to write, produce, and perform new music. The group will also lead engagement events with local youth, and develop strategies for using music to make a positive impact on our local and global communities. OneBeat is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and is produced by Found Sound Nation.  For more information about the OneBeat project, visit 1beat.org.