Press Release:
DALLAS SINGER-SONGWRITER KAMICA KING NAMED CULTURAL AMBASSADOR BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR AMERICAN MUSIC ABROAD PROGRAM
-One of 31 Musicians Selected From More Than 300 Applicants to Participate in this Year’s Virtual Season-
July 14, 2021, Dallas, Texas – Dallas singer-songwriter and board-certified music therapist Kamica King has been named as a Cultural Ambassador for the American Music Abroad (AMA) program, by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in partnership with American Voices. The AMA program is designed to communicate America’s rich musical contributions to the global music scene as it fosters cross-cultural communication and people-to-people connection to global audiences. The AMA Virtual programs will take place from July 2021 through May 2022 and will focus on reaching younger and underserved audiences in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Oceania, Eastern Europe, Central and South America and the Middle East.
As an Ambassador, King will work with the U.S. Department of State and American Voices providing live-streamed concerts, collaborative performances with local traditional musicians, lecture demonstrations, workshops and virtual jam sessions focusing on younger and underserved audiences with little or no access to American music.
King, 33, is Founder/CEO of King Creative Arts Expressions (KCAE) specializing in interactive, arts-based programs that promote health and social-emotional wellness including Musically Me Unlimited, a musical self-empowerment program for youth of color. Her programs have served numerous communities including students and staff, people experiencing homelessness, neurodiverse youth and individuals with mental health needs through organizations such as The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, Notre Dame School, Texas Woman’s University, UT-Arlington and the cities of Carrollton and Dallas.
She is an official musical artist of the Texas Commission on the Arts State Touring Roster and the City of Dallas Office Arts & Culture Community Artist Program, a former member of the Mayor’s Star Council, and a graduate of Music to Life’s Accelerator program co-founded by Noel Paul Stookey of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary.
“I am honored to have been chosen to participate in the 2021-2022 AMA Virtual Season,” said Kamica King. “I love connecting with people through music, and I can’t wait to share my gift with audiences around the world as well as learn and grow while making a positive impact.”
A classically-trained vocalist, King has performed in front of audiences at the US Open Tennis Championships, Carnegie Hall and in South Africa. She has a TEDx Talk on the “Power of Song” and has been featured artist and speaker around the nation covering topics such as the role of music in stress management, self-care, music therapy, program development in the creative and therapeutic arts and arts activism, including for the Kennedy Center Arts Across America Series.
A university-level educator, Kamica holds a Masters Degree in Music/Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University, attained professional certification in music therapy through Southern Methodist University and earned her Bachelors from Western Connecticut State University in Music (Voice) double minoring in Psychology and Communications (Broadcasting).
AMA Finalists were selected for their outstanding musical talent, aptitude in virtual performance, educational programming and adaptable skills for diverse international audiences.