I see the power of music to connect cultures. I see it when I stand on a stage at a bluegrass festival … and I bust out into a song in Chinese, and everybody's eyes just pop wide open.

Source: "Building US-China Relations ... by Banjo." TED2012. Feb. 2012. Conference Presentation. Additional Information: This quote is from banjo player Abigail Washburn's 2012 TED Talk about the international connections she has formed with her banjo-playing. Washburn says in this quote that she sees the unifying power of music when she plays a song in Chinese at an American bluegrass festival -- the combination of Chinese lyrics and American-style music is so unexpected that people are forced to pay attention. Watch the full TED Talk here: Abigail Washburn - Building US-China Relations ... by Banjo  

“Building US-China Relations … by Banjo.” TED2012. Feb. 2012. Conference Presentation.