The NO FEAR Ambassadors is an open-genre ensemble that emphasizes creating original music, arranging music relevant to students’ interests, and drawing inspiration from the rich lineage of New Orleans musicians and musical practices.
Launched in January 2025, the program is inspired by Louis Armstrong’s experiences as a U.S. State Department “Jazz Ambassador” in the 1950s. Both at home during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, and on tour in Africa during the Cold War, Armstrong and his music served a social good and invited participants from diverse cultures to connect and relate to one another’s shared humanity.
What do the
Ambassadors do?
The NO FEAR Ambassadors Program invites young artists to become authors of their own artmaking. Our reflective approach withdraws from the art already within students and educators alike, as opposed to depositing “the arts” from the outside in.
In addition to developing artistic skills and understanding this way, students cultivate important social skills and values by carrying out community outreach and cultural exchange.
As ambassadors to their city, the Ambassadors learn to practice empathy, cooperation, and responsibility as they work as a team to navigate regional, national, and international travel experiences together. For some of our students, these experiences mark the first time they’ve stepped on an airplane or ventured beyond Greater New Orleans.
Ambassadors
Media
“Yes We Can (Can)” composed by Allen Toussaint and recorded live at French Quarter Fest on April 13, 2025. This is the Ambassadors' first time ever performing!
'This performance features Ambassador Devon “The Rev” Waterfield (Age 18). One of the funkiest young electric bass players in the Gulf South, what we didn’t know until three months ago, is that “Rev” can sing! This is one of the countless merits of Experiential Arts and goes to show what can happen when we start with what is already within every student rather than depositing “the arts” from the outside in.
"In My City” composed by the NO FEAR Ambassadors and recorded live at French Quarter Fest on April 13, 2025.
“In My City” was composed collectively and features Ambassador John “JR“ Rhodes (Age 19) who wrote the lyrics, took on the lead vocals with gusto, and paid homage to New Orleans folk music traditions. This is in addition to John rocking out on drums in the band!
“The Bird” composed by Morris Day and the Time and recorded live by the NO FEAR Ambassadors at French Quarter Fest on April 13, 2025.
This number was brought to the band by Ambassador Elijah "Kid Exotic" Robinson (Age 19). Elijah loves Soul and Funk music and tackled the singing, absolutely rocked out on electric guitar, and had an entire dance routine prepared for this performance. “Hallelujah!"