Listening Across Time: Creativity, Connection and Being Human How Music Can Shape Diplomatic Relations

July 23, 2026 · Live virtual roundtable

On July 23, 2026, Shining Blue Dot partnered with the American Friends of the International House of Japan and the International House of Japan for a live cross-Pacific roundtable, presented as part of their Cultural Diplomacy Discussion Series.

The conversation brought together internationally acclaimed ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, Tony Mazzocchi, President and CEO of Kaufman Music Center, and Shining Blue Dot founder and violinist Eiko Kano — moderated by Dr. David Janes — to explore how creativity and the arts foster empathy, resilience, and deeper human connection in an increasingly complex world. The evening included a live Q&A with the audience.

As Jake Shimabukuro said during the discussion: "Music truly is the language of human emotion, and it's something that we all feel and can all relate to, whether we realize it or understand it."

Reflecting afterward, Tony Mazzocchi wrote: "Music has the remarkable power to transcend borders, generations, and cultures, reminding us of our shared humanity."

Key takeaways

Inspiration often comes through the work. Eiko Kano was candid about not waiting for inspiration to appear: "I wish I could just say I'm so inspired all the time, but oftentimes, to be honest with you, I don't spend too much time waiting for inspiration to be creative. And to me, inspiration often finds us while we are deeply engaged in the process." As Tony Mazzocchi put it, "the process itself may be the goal."

Collaboration starts with listening. Musicians enter a rehearsal with ideas, but the chemistry among the players shapes what follows — listening closely, responding to one another, adjusting as the music develops. Productive collaboration depends on making room for the unexpected.

Artists build what traditional diplomacy cannot. Governments negotiate interests, while artists cultivate understanding and connection — creating emotional bonds even among people who share no language or background.

What the audience said:

"It has been a long time since I last posted about a Zoom gathering, probably since the pandemic, but tonight's conversation was simply too inspiring not to share... Grateful for conversations that leave us thinking long after the screen goes dark." — Sandra Boccia, audience member

Watch the full conversation here: https://vimeo.com/1216767312