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School of Music

Young Ambassadors Celebrate Family Values in China

In 1979 the Young Ambassadors became one of the first American groups to travel to China after diplomatic recognition between the two countries. This spring the Young Ambassadors will return to China for the eighth time. Their three-week tour, from April 27 to May 20, will include cities the group initially visited in 1979–Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong–and also Tianjin, Jinan, Hefei, and Xi’an. The Young Ambassadors received significant media attention during their previous tours, including a 2007 documentary aired by China Central TV explaining the history of the Young Ambassadors in China and the relationships that have since developed. During their first China tour in 1979, the Young Ambassadors gave a private performance for 15 high government officials. The reaction of those officials would determine the extent to which the group would perform while in China. At the end of that show, artistic director of the Young Ambassadors Randy Boothe recalled the Chinese officials announcing, “Tonight the Young Ambassadors will perform in the Red Tower Theatre,” which at the time was the most prestigious theatre in Beijing. Through their joint efforts with the Chinese Performing Arts Agency, the Young Ambassador’s have presented throughout China. During this next tour the Young Ambassadors will join the Beijing Dance Academy, one of the most prestigious dance schools in China, for a performance. They will also return to the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, which they last attended in 2005. Representatives from BYU and China have developed strong friendships from such regular interaction over the years and look forward to working together again. “Our friends in China have always welcomed us with open arms,” said Boothe. “Returning to China is a dream come true, and we look forward to making new friends as we share our unique brand of family entertainment through the best of America’s music and dance.” The Young Ambassadors certainly bring a style of music unique to American musical theatre and radio. Harmony showcases music from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Hairspray, Dreamgirls, and Carousel, as well as popular songs by Michael Bublé, the Gershwin brothers, and Benny Goodman. The Young Ambassadors are making every effort to communicate clearly with their Chinese audiences. The lyrics will have Mandarin supertitles and the video will have a Chinese voice-over. In addition to their very American-style music, the Young Ambassadors are also preparing an original piece for their Chinese audience titled “Take a Step,” composed by Boothe and Stephen Jones, dean of BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications, with choreography by Jiamin Huang, a former student of the Beijing Dance Academy. According to Boothe, “this is a tribute to our friends in China, showing the deep respect we have for them and their commitment to family values.” Set during the Chinese New Year, the piece tells the story of a young couple sharing a message of strength and the importance of family with their infant–then hearing the same message retold by the couple’s ancestors. Chris Udall, a soloist for “Take a Step,” looks forward to sharing the message of family with Chinese audiences. “The entire message of the Young Ambassadors show is about the importance of families,” he said. “I hope the message can touch their hearts and strengthen their family bonds.” The Young Ambassadors have a Pacific Northwest midsemester tour before they cross the ocean in April. From February 22 to March 2, they will perform in Idaho (Nampa), Washington (Richland, Everett, Marysville, Kent, Bremerton, and Olympia), and Oregon (Hillsboro). Watch KSL's feature on Young Ambassadors here. Source: BYU Performing Arts Management