Located in southwestern Indiana, the rural city of Sullivan (population 4,200) faced a devastating tornado in March 2023. Since then, residents have steadily worked to rebuild what was lost and reimagine what’s possible.
Sullivan’s commitment to the future shows up in the city’s vibrant park system, its newly restored public pool, and now—through events like Arts Midwest’s World Fest—in its cultural life.
“This community invests in itself,” said Mayor JD Wilson. “It’s going to take more than a tornado to stop Sullivan.”
Sullivan recently hosted LADAMA, a Latin supergroup blending traditional rhythms from Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and the U.S., for a week-long residency.
“I love to see the instruments, the variety and the sound,” Wilson said. “And our kids get this eye-opening experience with different types of music.”
A Rare Exchange
For high school choir director Teresa Shunk, LADAMA’s visit was a rare chance to connect students with global musicians and perspectives.
“This is a very small town. Most of my students will probably never travel to the countries LADAMA comes from,” she said. “There can be a real lack of opportunities for kids to experience performers like this.”
LADAMA visited Shunk’s choir, performing and leading the group in rhythm exercises.
“We use our music as a living classroom,” the band explains. “Every rhythm and song is rooted in tradition. But more than teaching about culture, we invite people to participate—to sing, move, and listen actively. That’s when real connection happens.”
Shunk’s music programs—like much of Sullivan—are in a period of rebuilding. After inheriting a 10-person choir two years ago, Shunk now works with 21 students and counting.
“COVID really impacted things,” she said. “But there’s a lot of hope for the future because we’re growing the programs.”
A Week to Remember
Community members across Sullivan jumped at the opportunity to meet LADAMA and participate in workshops, concerts, and other events.
At the public library, LADAMA met an 11-year-old boy who joined every rhythm and game. A quiet elderly man lit up when offered the chance to try the tambor alegre, asking about its tuning system and the texture of its drum skin. A young girl approached the band after an instrumental song and said that she had felt every emotion in it.
“That moment reaffirmed something we truly believe: when there’s empathy, humans are able to connect with one another’s experiences, even without words,” says the band.
At the week’s final concert at Sullivan Middle School, the band closed with their song “Cumbia Brasileira” and invited teachers on stage to dance. Five staff members joined them, and the students erupted in cheers and laughter.
“The choir teacher, Teresa, told us it was most of the students’ first concert,” says LADAMA. “We hope they leave with a sense of empowerment, inspiration, and curiosity, feeling more connected to themselves, to each other, and to the larger world.”
As Sullivan continues to build toward the future, LADAMA’s visit was a joyful reminder of the power of music to connect, teach, and inspire.
World Fest, a collaborative program by Arts Midwest, toured international musicians to Midwestern communities to foster an understanding of and appreciation for global uniqueness and differences.