ABOUT PEAR
What is PEAR?
Association for Peace, Education, and the Arts through Resonance (PEAR), a general incorporated association, is an organization that promotes cross-border cultural exchange by using music and art as a means of "resonance." Through co-creation with artists around the world, including the Zolani Youth Choir from South Africa, and through the operation of the choral project "VOX TERRA," PEAR aims to create a peaceful society where people's minds and bodies are in harmony and diversity resonates with one another.
Main Activities
International Exchange and Expressive Arts Education Program for Youth
PEAR conducts activities that foster international understanding, intercultural exchange, expressive abilities, and collaborative skills among young people through music, choral singing, and art.
Our main activities are as follows:
* Exchange programs with overseas youth choirs
* Exchange programs with artists
* Choral workshops, joint rehearsals, and performances with Japanese children and students
* International understanding in collaboration with schools, educators, and community organizations
* Peace education programs
* Pre-learning about world cultures and languages
* Pre-learning about history
* Learning about multicultural coexistence, mutual respect, and nonviolent communication through music
* Creating spaces for young people to express themselves with their own voices and collaborate with others
Mission
MISSION
Resonance through art
Creating a space for deep dialogue and exchange through music and art.
Education for the next generation
To unlock children's potential and instill in them a broader perspective and courage.
Co-creating a peaceful society
Towards a future where diversity resonates and everyone can feel inner peace.
[Connect with the Earth through Songs from Around the World!] Lecture Digest
At Kaede Nursery School, operated by Shinsei Welfare Association, a social welfare corporation in Neyagawa City.
PROJECT
Project
Zolani Youth Choir × Japanese Children
This project is an international initiative that invites the Zolani Youth Choir from South Africa to Japan to foster mutual understanding across borders and cultures through concerts and collaborations with Japanese children.
Three Objectives
PURPOSE
1
Unlocking the potential of children
Through the image of their peers singing with hope even in difficult circumstances, we aim to inspire courage and broaden the perspectives of children across Japan.
2
Mutual understanding and respect for diversity
Through exchange via music, which transcends language barriers, we foster a spirit of multicultural coexistence.
3
Inspiring experiences through "co-creation"
Through the process of learning and singing together with Japanese junior and senior high school students and members of Zolani, a sense of unity and accomplishment that transcends language barriers will be created.
Why the Zolani Youth Choir?
WHY ZOLANI
What kind of choir is it?
This is a community choir of young people based in Zolani, a small town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Their talent has been recognized internationally, including winning the grand prize at the 2024 International A Cappella Competition held in Russia.
Social Background
Many of the choir members come from townships (former residential areas). In an environment plagued by poverty and security issues, the choir has served as a symbol of hope, providing children with a "safe place" and "self-esteem," saving them from gang involvement and isolation.
The significance of inviting them to Japan
Their singing, which emphasizes listening to each other, harmonizing their breathing, and respecting others, is the epitome of peaceful communication. Sharing this harmony with Japanese children and society has great significance.
We want to make this come true with you!
Crowd funding
ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
1. International collaborative project "Under One Sky"
This project connects the Zolani Youth Choir, which operates in South African townships (former black residential areas), with people in Japan through song.
Travel to South Africa and joint recording
On-site co-creation and recording (2025): Representative ALUMA traveled to South Africa twice and stayed with director Oduwa's family. While immersing herself in local life, she recorded original songs "Under One Sky" and "Love Leads Me On" with the children on-site.
Choir Recording in Japan
Supporters from our crowdfunding campaign and children from Osaka Kaede Nursery School participated in this special choral recording. As a magnificent production where the voices of Japan and South Africa interweave, it is scheduled for release in 2026.
Educational programs for the next generation
An educational approach for the next generation: Currently, the song is being arranged as a choral piece for junior and senior high school students. A large-scale collaboration with Japanese students and choirs is planned for the Japan tour in March 2027 (including performances at Acrier Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture and Hitachi Civic Center Hall in Ibaraki Prefecture).
2. Social Impact and Humanitarian Assistance
Support in South Africa
Support for improving local conditions: Witnessing the deterioration of sanitary conditions at the training venue (destruction of toilets, etc.), we sought ways to provide support.
Hanapad for Zolani
Hanapad for Zolani Project: In response to the current situation where educational opportunities are being hindered due to a shortage of menstrual products, a project to donate cloth menstrual pads was launched. In October 2025, the pads were directly distributed to 50 female members of a choir.
VOX TERRA
Sustainable Exchange: Through the choral group "Vox Terra" (55 members), we are building a community where Japanese people can regularly experience and support cultures and rhythms from around the world, including Africa.
3. Funding and official support
Crowdfunding (2025) Sponsored by: Embassy of the Republic of South Africa (planned/application pending)
226 people
Number of crowdfunding supporters
¥2,786,886
Funding amount
55 people
VOX TERRA member
From the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Japan
Expression of support
PEAR has received a letter of support from the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Japan regarding the significance of cultural exchange and international understanding for its international exchange project between the South African youth choir "Zolani Youth Choir" and Japanese youth.
This pledge of support was recognized as contributing to the promotion of exchange, mutual understanding, and cultural ties between young people in South Africa and Japan.
Please note that this statement of support is cultural and nominal, and does not imply financial assistance.
%20.png)
Funding amount
PROFILE
Representative Profile
Ayumi Ueda (ALŮMA)
Representative Director of the PEAR (Association for Peace, Education, and the Arts through Resonance) / Artist / Singer
Born in Adachi Ward, Tokyo. She made her stage debut at the age of four with her singer-songwriter father, and embarked on a career in music. At the age of 14, she won the grand prize at the "NHK Jr. Nodojiman Contest." In 2007, she received a scholarship and enrolled at Berklee College of Music in the United States. She majored in music therapy and world music, and formed the multinational vocal group "Women of the World" while still a student. In 2010, she graduated from the university as the second-ranked student.
After graduation, the group performed on world-class stages such as Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, and Blue Note, winning numerous national and international a cappella competitions. With a repertoire spanning 37 languages, they held performances and workshops around the world, acting as a bridge between music and culture. In 2024, they returned to Japan after 18 years in the United States. Inspired by the wisdom residing in Japan's pure water and greenery, they developed their own unique sound world incorporating overtone instruments such as crystal bowls. Currently, they are leading an international collaborative project with the Zolani Youth Choir of South Africa.
[List of Major Achievements]
Awards and Recognition (Partial List)
-
Recipient of the Higashikuni-no-miya Memorial Prize in 2026.
-
2019 Moscow International A Cappella Festival - 1st Place
-
Winner of the 2017 International A Cappella Competition "ACA OPEN" (Carnegie Hall)
-
Winner of the 2014 National A Cappella Competition "Harmony Sweepstakes"
-
2010 Walter W. Harp Liberal Arts Music and Society Award (awarded by Berklee College of Music)
Recent major works and activities
-
Film: Singing for the film score of "52 Hertz Whales" directed by Izuru Narushima (2024)
-
Games: Vocals for the Astrea theme song for 'Fortnite' (2023) / Insert song for the Netflix anime 'Godzilla Singular Point' (2021)
-
CMs: Mitsubishi Motors Triton / Housing Information Center / Tokyo Electric Power Company / BI-SU
-
Dedicatory performances: Tenkawa Daibenzaiten Shrine, Nara Prefecture (2025) / Izumo Taisha Shrine, Hawaii (2023)
-
Diplomatic and Peace Activities: UN Church Atomic Bomb Survivor Piano Concert / Appearance at UN Women Special Event
Major Partnerships and Collaborations
United Nations / UN Women / TEDxBoston / Asuka Cruises / Embassy of the Republic of South Africa
This project is an international initiative that invites the Zolani Youth Choir from South Africa to Japan to foster mutual understanding across borders and cultures through concerts and collaborations with Japanese children.
CONTACT
Inquiries for Participation and Support
PEAR (Association for Peace, Education, and the Arts through Resonance)
Representative Director: Ayumi Ueda (ALŮMA)
Address: 3rd Floor, Mihashi Building, 1-3-3 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan
Official website: https://pearglobal.org
Email: office@pearglobal.org