Chorn-Pond is a Cambodian musician, human rights activist, and survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Hartford, CT – Watkinson School, Hartford’s oldest independent day school for grades 6-12/PG, is pleased to announce the return of Arn Chorn-Pond to our campus on October 10, 2024. A long-time friend to the school, Chorn-Pond will spend a day on campus including an all-school assembly, and masterclass for global studies and creative arts students, and several classroom visits. In the evening, the community is invited to a free event on Thursday, Oct 10th from 7:00-8:00 pm for An Evening with Arn Chorn-Pond. Arn will speak about his life, the power of music and the arts, and the thriving arts scene today in Cambodia.
Arn Chorn-Pond is a musician, survivor of the Cambodian genocide, human rights activist, and founder of Cambodian Living Arts and Living Arts International. He is an advocate for the healing and transformative power of the arts, and especially music. Watkinson’s Global Studies Program sent teams of students on international service learning trips to Cambodia for more than a decade and formed a strong relationship with Arn and Cambodia Living Arts. It was through these relationships that Watkinson faculty and students were part of the founding of the Khmer Magic Music Bus, an initiative with the mission of restoring Cambodia’s rich musical heritage by connecting traditional musicians with people in rural villages who would not otherwise have access to this important part of their culture and history.
Head of School Teri Schrader says, “Watkinson is so fortunate to have a very special relationship with Arn. His regular visits to Watkinson have made him a known and welcomed ambassador for important global, cultural, and artistic points of view. Arn’s presence connects us to a world much larger than our own, and reminds us, time and again that love and hope are their own kind of strength. We learn by listening to Arn tell his story, and we are stronger and more human for it. I am excited and confident that October 10th will be a memorable day for our students and members of the greater Hartford community who join us on campus.”
Chorn-Pond’s visit is part of Watkinson’s commitment to global studies and the creative arts. All Watkinson students learn from a global perspective and the arts are infused across the curriculum in all grades, those seeking specialized study can apply in grade 10 or in the summer for newly accepted 11th graders for a special diploma in Global Studies or the Creative Arts. These diploma programs are multi-faceted and intellectually challenging. Students learn from guest speakers at Watkinson School, virtual meetings with experts around the world, and traveling to talks, plays, conferences, and more. To learn more about Watkinson’s diploma programs, schedule a visit.
Members of the public wishing to reserve free tickets for “An Evening with Arn Chorn-Pond” on October 10th talk should RSVP here.
Watkinson School is Hartford’s oldest co-ed independent day private school for grades 6-12/PG. Watkinson’s mission is to develop in our students the power to shape their lives and the world around them. Our next info session for prospective families is September 27 at 9am.
