Julie Freebern was awarded the 2024 Rowland Teaching Sabbatical to fund a 30 day research trip to Hong Kong, Indonesia & New Zealand for the creation of a new World Music Course at Burr & Burton Academy. The centerpiece of her talk will focus on a Balinese cultural immersion program at the Mekar Bhuana Gamelan and Dance Center that provided workshops in singing, cooking, shadow puppets, mask making, dance and music as well as archeological excursions and temple ceremonies. Additional insights will be shared with regards to her Maori cultural tour to include the history of New Zealand, tribal settlements, warrior villages, geothermal parks, ancient forests as well as traditional music, ceremonies and rituals.