Carla will offer master classes and a performance as part of a week-long residency at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, China.
The annual U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum convenes leaders from government, business and civil society who recognize the consequences of these two countries and share our deep concern for the human condition.
The China Shanghai International Arts Festival aims to absorb the best cultures around the world, to promote Chinese traditional arts, and to enhance cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. The festival activities include art program shows, art exhibitions, the mass cultural activities and trade fair of programs, arts and crafts.
Finding Your Authentic Voice is designed to help participants feel empowered to use the full potential of their voice as leaders for social change. Through activities that explore culture and personal identity as well as vocal exercises, we will explore ways to best utilize the power of our voice to communicate authentically and effectively.
Finding Your Authentic Voice is designed to help participants feel empowered to use the full potential of their voice as leaders for social change. Through activities that explore culture and personal identity as well as vocal exercises, we will explore ways to best utilize the power of our voice to communicate authentically and effectively.
Finding Your Authentic Voice is designed to help participants feel empowered to use the full potential of their voice as leaders for social change. Through activities that explore culture and personal identity as well as vocal exercises, we will explore ways to best utilize the power of our voice to communicate authentically and effectively.
Soft power, a term coined by Joseph Nye in the 1980s, is the ability to influence others through appeal and attraction instead of by resorting to coercive pressure through military or economic threats or actions. Cultural exchanges are a significant tool in projecting soft power. French Cultural Counselor, Mohamed Bouabdallah and American classical singer and cultural diplomat Carla Canales both have decades of experience in organizing and participating in cultural exchange events.
The two panelists will share their experiences and insights into the impact and value of these events in the conduct of foreign relations. Forum member, Mica Schweitzer-Bluhm, a retired US Senior Foreign Service Officer who organized “soft power” events as part of her duties at US embassies abroad, will moderate the conversation between Ms. Canales and Cultural Counselor Bouabdallah.
Carla will return to perform as a guest soloist at the Gulangyu Music Festival, July 12-18th, 2025
From July 9 to 18, the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival was held in Fuzhou and Beijing. During the event, Chinese and American youths engaged in choir exchanges, cultural visits, and interactive activities to deepen their understanding of the charming traditional Chinese culture and the vitality of China's modern development.
Carla will moderate a panel titled “Stories from the people already weaving a new social fabric”. You can watch the session here.
The Clayton Center for the Arts of Maryville College in Tennessee will celebrate their 15 year anniversary, and Ms. Canales will offer a commemorative speech.
As a Visiting Professor, I will offer a course on Cultural Diplomacy at the University of Denver’s Korbel School of International Affairs, which is intended to provide an in-depth look at how the arts and culture have been harnessed by nations, communities and individuals worldwide.
Presented jointly by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and the Department of Music at Tufts University, this panel discussion will explore the role of music in cultural diplomacy, focusing on Dmitri Shostakovich and U.S.-Soviet cultural exchanges. As a composer deeply entangled in the political and artistic currents of his time, Shostakovich was a towering cultural figure of the Cold War era. His works were alternately celebrated, scrutinized, and politicized by both Soviet and Western audiences. The panelists will examine the historical and political dimensions of U.S.-Russia musical connections, the broader significance of cultural diplomacy, and the ways in which Shostakovich’s life and music reflected and influenced Cold War tensions, offering insights into the enduring power of culture in international relations.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
160 Packard Avenue, Medford
6:00 - 7:00 PM ET Panel discussion in ASEAN Auditorium
Featuring a solo violin performance
7:00 - 8:00 PM ET Reception in the Hall of Flags and Mezzanine
Finding Your Authentic Voice is designed to help participants feel empowered to use the full potential of their voice as leaders for social change. Through activities that explore culture and personal identity as well as vocal exercises, we will explore ways to best utilize the power of our voice to communicate authentically and effectively.
Finding Your Authentic Voice is designed to help participants feel empowered to use the full potential of their voice as leaders for social change. Through activities that explore culture and personal identity as well as vocal exercises, we will explore ways to best utilize the power of our voice to communicate authentically and effectively.
Finding Your Authentic Voice is designed to help participants feel empowered to use the full potential of their voice as leaders for social change. Through activities that explore culture and personal identity as well as vocal exercises, we will explore ways to best utilize the power of our voice to communicate authentically and effectively.
Carla will serve on a panel and also perform at the 2024 China-U.S. Youth Forum taking place in Fuzhou, China.
Carla will serve on a post film screening panel, following the showing of “Extraordinary Cinema: On the Road with Duke Ellington”. The panel will also include Duke Ellington’s granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington and will be moderated by NEA Jazz Master and DC Jazz Festival Artistic Director Willard Jenkins.
Carla will be a guest speaker for a panel hosted by the National Museum of American Diplomacy, on "The Lasting Impact of the Jazz Ambassadors Program in the Americas".
This course is offered by the University of Denver’s Korbel School of International Affairs, and is intended to provide an in-depth look at how the arts and culture have been harnessed by nations, communities and individuals worldwide.
14th Annual DUKE-UNC China Leadership Summit
Guest Speaker, Cultural Diplomacy between the US and China
GUEST FACULTY, HARVARD PUBLIC LEADERSHIP CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM "Using Your Voice to Make a Difference” Session 4
Using Your Voice to Make a Difference is designed to help participants find their voice, both literally and figuratively, through activities that explore culture, heritage, and identity as well as through voice lessons and other forms of artistic expression. The intention is to draw a parallel between understanding the power of our voices as social change makers and learning vocal technique in order to physically strengthen one’s voice. Participants will explore tools needed to cultivate their unique voice in order to be stronger leaders in both ways, and in hopes of also gaining an appreciation and understanding of basic vocal skills for speaking in public as well as for singing.
Learn more here.
GUEST FACULTY, HARVARD PUBLIC LEADERSHIP CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM "Using Your Voice to Make a Difference” Session 3
Using Your Voice to Make a Difference is designed to help participants find their voice, both literally and figuratively, through activities that explore culture, heritage, and identity as well as through voice lessons and other forms of artistic expression. The intention is to draw a parallel between understanding the power of our voices as social change makers and learning vocal technique in order to physically strengthen one’s voice. Participants will explore tools needed to cultivate their unique voice in order to be stronger leaders in both ways, and in hopes of also gaining an appreciation and understanding of basic vocal skills for speaking in public as well as for singing.
Learn more here.
GUEST FACULTY, HARVARD PUBLIC LEADERSHIP CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM "Using Your Voice to Make a Difference” Session 2
Using Your Voice to Make a Difference is designed to help participants find their voice, both literally and figuratively, through activities that explore culture, heritage, and identity as well as through voice lessons and other forms of artistic expression. The intention is to draw a parallel between understanding the power of our voices as social change makers and learning vocal technique in order to physically strengthen one’s voice. Participants will explore tools needed to cultivate their unique voice in order to be stronger leaders in both ways, and in hopes of also gaining an appreciation and understanding of basic vocal skills for speaking in public as well as for singing.
Learn more here.
The annual McSwain-Walker lecture brings renowned scholars, artists, analysts and other notable public figures to William & Mary to speak on topics related to how other countries and cultures interact with the United States, and how the United States interacts with them.
Learn more here.
US State Department Arts Envoy Program
US Embassy (Beijing)/US Consulate (Guangzhou)
Zhang Xiaoying Opera Center (Xiamen)
Triple Threat Academy: Artistry + Education + Entrepreneuership
February 17th through August 15th, 2024
Virtual + In Person
GUEST FACULTY, HARVARD PUBLIC LEADERSHIP CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM "Using Your Voice to Make a Difference” Session 1
Using Your Voice to Make a Difference is designed to help participants find their voice, both literally and figuratively, through activities that explore culture, heritage, and identity as well as through voice lessons and other forms of artistic expression. The intention is to draw a parallel between understanding the power of our voices as social change makers and learning vocal technique in order to physically strengthen one’s voice. Participants will explore tools needed to cultivate their unique voice in order to be stronger leaders in both ways, and in hopes of also gaining an appreciation and understanding of basic vocal skills for speaking in public as well as for singing.
Learn more here.
OAcademy is different from other top music conservatories. We use technology to connect emerging artists – wherever they are – to star FACULTY at the forefront of the music world. We combine an immersive digital curriculum with short in-person retreats and residency opportunities across the globe. The learning journey is fast-paced and responsive – relevant for day-to-day success and long-term impact, on-stage and beyond.
Learn more here.
GUEST FACULTY, HARVARD PUBLIC LEADERSHIP CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM "Finding Your Authentic Voice”
Finding Your Authentic Voice is designed to help participants find their voice through activities that explore culture, heritage, and identity. The intention is to draw a parallel between understanding the power of our voices as social change makers and learning helpful tools to explore personal identity and individual authenticity. Participants will explore tools needed to cultivate their unique voice to be stronger leaders in both ways, and in hopes of also gaining an appreciation and understanding of basic vocal skills for speaking in public.
This course is intended to compliment "Using Your Voice to Make a Difference" which will be offered in Spring 2024.
Over the course of four sessions, participants will explore ways to find, utilize and amplify their voices.
Learn more here.
GUEST FACULTY, HARVARD PUBLIC LEADERSHIP CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM "Finding Your Authentic Voice”
Finding Your Authentic Voice is designed to help participants find their voice through activities that explore culture, heritage, and identity. The intention is to draw a parallel between understanding the power of our voices as social change makers and learning helpful tools to explore personal identity and individual authenticity. Participants will explore tools needed to cultivate their unique voice to be stronger leaders in both ways, and in hopes of also gaining an appreciation and understanding of basic vocal skills for speaking in public.
This course is intended to compliment "Using Your Voice to Make a Difference" which will be offered in Spring 2024.
Over the course of four sessions, participants will explore ways to find, utilize and amplify their voices.
Learn more here.
