An embodied storyteller, Andrew brings talks to life at the intersection of identity, culture, faith, and love. Talks are available as keynotes and with additional workshops or facilitated break-out sessions.
Identity
Andrew comes from a lot of different places, and has done a lot of different things. The son of Lebanese immigrants, born in Canada, and raised in the United States, Andrew’s experiences have spanned the arts, business, thought leadership, tech, and (a little) science. He has crossed cultures, races, vocations, and social classes. While in high school Andrew suffered a severe identity crisis. He struggled to be able to define himself in the ways he saw others able to. This has lead to a life-long inquiry into the following questions:
- How do we know who we are?
- How does who we are affect how we see the world?
- How does are social context affect how we see ourselves?
Andrew’s talks use personal stories, spiritual formation, and social dynamics to open audiences up to the wonder that exists in each person. Talks for this topic can be powerfully paired with a screening of the documentary short film Identity: The Andrew Nemr Story and supplemental workshops.
Saving Oral Traditions
Oral traditions have a unique function in the formation of individuals and societies. Growing out of spontaneous cultural expression oral traditions become integral to a society’s ability to recognize itself and remember its history through the ages. Today, oral traditions are challenged. The world around us is continually changing. Systems are being disrupted on purpose, and innovation is happening at a record pace. New technologies are leading cultural shifts that are fundamentally changing the way humans relate to one another. If we are to benefit from the wisdom embedded in oral traditions, we need to have a way to support them. Using his personal experience in the tap dance community, Andrew speaks to how oral traditions function in society, how they interact with institutions, and how we can support them in the midst of an ongoing cultural revolution.
Defining Love
This one is personal. I was in love. We were dating, and I was on cloud nine. After an excessively romantic profession of my love for her, she responded, “I really don’t know what ‘love’ means.” I, unfortunately, was at a loss for words. My ineptitude in the face of such an important statement sent me on a three year journey. I read books, wrote a blog, and spoke about it. The question, “What is love?” is no less important now than before, especially in a culture with more and more competing views, and seemingly less and less clarity.
Playing Together
What can the creative journey of two artists teach us about collaboration? Andrew Nemr and Max ZT have been collaborating since the first session they were introduced to each other. In that moment something sparked. Equally virtuosic and musically sensitive, the duo found a way to be receptive of the differences in their respective practices, while celebrating their uniqueness. The goal? Find a way to play together.