and now here in Oberlin she is the much-loved Dean
You have said that music is about more than
of Student Academic Affairs. She gets kids from
making people happy – what do you see as the true
every angle, and she is a tremendous advocate for
goal of music?
their rights!
I actually lived in Las Vegas for one year in the late
Your daughter is studying Arabic and
70’s. I went there playing with the immensely
International Relations. Is it one of your goals to
talented Buddy Greco, case in point. That is a town
pass on your Lebanese cultural heritage to future
that highlights the concept of making people happy
generations?
with music. I have known great players who thought
they understood what they were doing when they got
I am embarrassed to say that my daughter Georgia
into that way of life. Young players who started out in
had a stronger link in her soul, as a child being half
their teens and early 20’s playing pop inevitably
Lebanese, than I did being 100%. Georgia always
developed a style of life that only popular music can
loved the music, the dance and the food, which is to
support, but might not be the best vehicle for your
be expected, most people do… but Georgia wanted to
talent in those developmental years. It is very hard to
speak and read and write Arabic. She went to an
retrace those steps and back up.
Arabic summer camp and has been studying for five
The one thing that appears clear to me is that an
years now. She has always been interested in the
artist who is blessed with a deeper understanding of
politics of the Middle East and was an active
their own true sound and vision has an easier time
participant in family discussions around the table.
communicating across cultural boundaries. They
remain relatively successful and are happier staying
How have your daughter’s studies been impacted
on that path than people who seek fame. In support of
by the current unrest in the Middle East?
that, there is a cultural awareness around the world
that supports creative, real-time decision-making
She is in the International Affairs Scholars program at
artists: it might not be pop music money or status, but
Ohio State and she desperately wanted to go to
you can eat great and see the world!!
Lebanon to do a year’s study abroad. Unfortunately
How can it be that people who never leave their
due to the situation in many of the Arabic-speaking
little village in the middle of nowhere can continually
countries that have student exchanges with Ohio
amaze and blow us away as artists? In both life and
State, the State Department has issued a “travel
music, if you search your soul and reflect on what
warning”. At this point she is now going to Sciences
gets thrown back at you along your journey, you will
Po in Paris for her international study. We have
be directed through the conviction of your intentions!
travelled to Turkey, Morocco and Palestine as a
family.
www.jameyhaddadmusic.com ??