The NO FEAR Ambassadors Program offers free arts education classes, community outreach initiatives, and cultural exchange opportunities for Greater New Orleans youth ages 12-18. These experiences serve to broaden young artists’ perspectives and model how their artmaking can bridge cultures and function as a force for social good.
Inspired by Louis Armstrong’s experiences as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. State Department, Armstrong and his music invited participants from diverse cultures to connect and relate to one another’s shared humanity. NO FEAR aspires for future generations of artists to learn from (and lead by) this example.
What do the
Ambassadors do?
The Ambassadors Program invites young artists to become authors of their own artmaking and create original productions, recreate works relevant to their personal interests regardless of genre, and draw on participatory artmaking practices from New Orleans.
Becoming ambassadors to their city, students not only develop artistry and understanding in the program, they cultivate important social values such as cooperation, empathy, and resilience.
Ambassadors
Media
“Yes We Can” composed by Allen Toussaint and featuring 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!
"In My City” composed by the NO FEAR Ambassadors and featuring Ambassador John “JR“ Rhodes (Age 18) who wrote the lyrics, took on the lead vocals with gusto, and paid homage to New Orleans participatory artmaking traditions.
“The Bird” composed by Morris Day and the Time and featuring Ambassador Elijah "Kid Exotik" Robinson (Age 19). Eli loves Soul and Funk music and tackled both the singing and rocking guitar for this performance: “Hallelujah!"
“My City of Ruins” composed by Bruce Springsteen and featuring Ambassador Jake "Jot" Gellman (Age 14). who grew up in Asbury Park, NJ, Springsteen’s adopted hometown. This marks Jake's singing and saxophone debut!