UCO Music Professor and Students Participate in Cultural Exchange in China
Oct. 29, 2024
Danielle Herrington, D.M.A., assistant professor of music at the University of Central Oklahoma, recently returned from a cultural exchange in Gansu Province, China. Herrington served as the faculty sponsor for 11 UCO School of Music students who participated in the trip.
The exchange, part of a broader effort to bring 50,000 American youth to China over the next five years, allowed Herrington and the students to experience significant cross-cultural engagement. Their multi-city journey included visits to historical landmarks, performances and cultural exchanges at universities.
“Our time in Gansu Province was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were welcomed with incredible hospitality and were deeply moved by opportunities like hearing Tibetan throat singing at an 18th-century monastery and sharing music with Chinese students,” Herrington said.
“We are so grateful for the friendships made and the kindness received. This experience has opened doors for potential collaborations between UCO and prestigious institutions in northwest China.”
During their stay, the group attended the Silk Road International Cultural Expo as the official U.S. Youth Delegation. They participated in various cultural activities, including viewing the fourth century frescoes at the Mogao Caves, riding camels across sand dunes at sunset and being guests at an outdoor concert.
This opportunity was made possible through Kyle Dillingham, Oklahoma's Musical Ambassador, who has helped develop a meaningful relationship with the Sister State organization and the Foreign Affairs Office of Gansu Province. Dillingham and his band, Horseshoe Road, also participated in the trip. The Sister State relationship between Oklahoma and Gansu aims to foster educational, artistic and cultural collaborations.
For more information about the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design, visit cfad.uco.edu.
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Cutline: Danielle Herrington, D.M.A., (front center), assistant professor of music at the University of Central Oklahoma, stands with UCO music students and their hosts from Gansu Minzu Normal University during a cultural exchange trip to Gansu Province, China. The group participated in performances, cultural activities and educational exchanges.
