Inland Empire musician and UC Riverside alumnus Eddie Valencia recently got the chance to utilize his talent as a percussionist — in Russia. He took part in OneBeat, a global music-based diplomacy program. Valencia first participated in the domestic version of the program in 2015, but returned this year to step out of his musical comfort zone and explore the sounds and styles of Russia.

Something of a musical exchange-student program, the organization brings young musicians from all over the world to the U.S. together for a month each year to collaborate on music. Started in 2012, OneBeat hopes to celebrate the ways that the arts can impact local and global communities, as well as help people connect across cultures through music.