Tee & Charles Addams Foundation Art & Inspiration Award Film

UNITED WE SING

USA, 2020, 75 min

Director: Dan Petracca

Producers: Aaron Sperber, Ross Pedersen

Editor: Eric Frith

For the YellowJackets, an adventurous a cappella group from The University of Rochester, finding new ways to push the boundaries is a priority. That is why, after hearing about a choir of AIDS orphans in rural Kenya, the group decided to fly halfway around the world to an unfamiliar continent to sing with them. Like many Americans traveling to Africa for the first time, they came with preconceived notions about what it would be like and what they could do to make a difference. And like most Kenyans seeing an American for the first time, many of the children of Mbaka Oromo Primary School were apprehensive and did not know what to make of these visitors. Then the two groups started singing together and everything changed.

Dan Petracca earned his bachelor's degree in film from Full Sail University in 2009. He has since traveled the globe creating content for musicians, businesses, and filmmakers alike. In 2010, Dan walked across the United States, taking part in the documentary Walk the Dream.

Award by Kevin Miserocchi, The Tee & Charles Addams Foundation

Q/A moderated by Michael Lawrence, Director of Bridgehampton Chamber Music Society with Director Dan Petracca and Executive Producers Aaron Sperber and Ross Pedersen