Impact Report
Jan 2025
Fellowship Opportunities
585 Fellows
78 Countries represented
20,000+ Applications Submitted
U.S. & Global Engagement
53 U.S. cities in 25 states reached
23 International cities & 13 countries reached
360+ Concerts, events and workshops
74,000+ Audience members 15,000+ Workshop participants
Alumni Activities
$3.5 million Independently raised
3.2+ million Audience members reached
130,000+ Workshop participants engaged
Testimonials
“OneBeat changed my life and my mind. It let me know that people can be so close to each other, and that music has a strong and special power in making the world a better one.”
– Wei Wei, 2012 OneBeat Fellow from Beijing, China
“OneBeat is the program that realizes the dream of any musician in the world: to develop their musical talent and mix it with other cultures. It teaches you important things that complement your musical career, and gives you the opportunity to have friends from all parts of the world.”
– Manuel Rangel, 2013 Fellow from Caracas, Venezuela
“I see OneBeat as a breakthrough in music diplomacy… OneBeat is different because it isn’t about America sending Americans overseas, it’s about bringing musicians to this country to meet each other, to engage with Americans here, and to produce a musical conversation, and it’s that sense where the whole program represents the United States listening to the world in an important way.”
– Nicholas Cull, Professor of Public Diplomacy at USC Annenberg
“Saying that this is a musical collaboration and engagement for me feels like it doesn’t encompass everything that OneBeat is. It’s definitely something more than just music and art. For me it feels like a way of life.”
– Darbuka Siva, 2013 Fellow from Chennai, India
“OneBeat is one of the greatest initiatives in advancing the meeting of cultures worldwide.”
– Dave Douglas, OneBeat 2012 Collaborating Artist
“Seeing all these women defy borders and take the stage to make music with determination and hope has sparked an urge to try my best to inspire women back home who have talent, but are scared to come out and share it with the world.”
– Kasiva Mutua, 2013 OneBeat Fellow from Nairobi, Kenya
“I think beside the musical element, this program is also showing us other ways of transforming our countries and transforming our communities to become better places, to become closer together.”
– Blessing Chimanga, 2014 OneBeat Fellow from Harare, Zimbabwe
“The most valuable thing about OneBeat is the connections and interactions that I have built. Now I really feel I have very good friends spread out in the world, and it makes everything feels warmer.”
– Youmna Saba, 2012 OneBeat Fellow from Beirut, Lebanon