A World of Culture

Last weekend (August 9), my Aunt Sal invited my sister, Dad, and me to her home in Bountiful to meet and perform a few pieces for six ambassadors from around the world. These six were traveling and performing in part for the IOV Festival ("Internationale Organisation Fur Volkskunst"- International Organization for Folk Art). My Aunt, as well as her neighbors, volunteered to host them. Including Mary Bee Jensen, a highly acclaimed dance instructor from BYU, we got the opportunity to meet Carmen Padilla (concert pianist from the Phillipines), Ligaya F. Amilbangsa (folk dancer from the Phillipines), Malal Ndiaye and Khady Ndiaye (African folk dancers/founders of the Bakalama Dance Company), and another man from Nepal, who is a tour guide on Mt. Everest, and a dancer as well (I don't remember his name, but as soon as I found out, I will let you know). We spent all evening performing for each other. It was such a neat experience, and we thank my Aunt and Uncle for asking us to be a part of it.