By Diana Silbergeld
Editor-in-chief

Nine years ago a famous Tibetan singer escaped to freedom through the snowy Himalayas with Connecticut as her final destination. Since then, Dadon has lived in Middletown composing, singing, acting, teaching, and raising a family. 

Dadon will again share her native musical heritage with the Middletown and Wesleyan community in her Tibetan New Year’s performance this Sunday at Oddfellow’s Playhouse.

"Many people already know about Tibet," she said. "But I want the audience to leave the show knowing words and songs about Tibet."

At age 11 Dadon left her family behind to study music in Beijing for five years. Her singing career began when she was 17 years old in her hometown of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, China. 

"I was the first person to make Tibetan folk songs into pop music," she said. 

However, life in Tibet could not offer Dadon the life she had in mind, because she wanted to express her political views as well.

"I could have been one of those Tibetans with a lot of money, and travel to different countries, but my intention is to get Tibetan freedom, protect our culture and language, and I sing to
send a message out... my last album in China was very political and they would not give me a visa or passport." 

In 1992 Dadon escaped on foot through the mountains, leaving behind her native country, her parents, and her oldest son.

"It was very dangerous and scary for me," she said. "My oldest son was with my parents for six years and China would not let him out of Tibet. After that we kidnapped him out."

Because of a friend she had living here, Dadon chose Middletown as a new home.

"The town was nice because Wesleyan is here, and the world music department is one of the best programs in the U.S.," she said. "My original band here was made up of Wesleyan
students." 

Dadon’s younger sister, Tsedron, also settled in Middletown, and is now a senior at Wesleyan, majoring in American Studies.

Dadon said it was difficult at first to start over, because she had been such a success in China.

"My career was very successful in China and Tibet. I was famous in China but in America I had to start from scratch. I think my life up to this point has been a mission."

Dadon may have had to reestablish herself in a new country and culture, but she has been an incredible hit. She has shared the stage at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Washington D.C.
with the Beastie Boys, U2 and Natalie Merchant and has performed at Carnegie Hall with Philip Glass and Yo Yo Ma. She also starred in the independent film Windhorse, about the
hardships of life in Tibet under Chinese control.

This past October Dadon returned from India where she spent three months writing music for the coming film Samsara, about Buddhism, in which her two young sons, ages seven and
nine, also acted. 

Currently Dadon is composing and recording her music, as well as continuing the struggle to teach about Tibet and human rights. 

"I lecture about human rights from elementary school to high schools, and I teach students music and dance in Middletown schools and at Oddfellow’s Playhouse," she said.

Dadon is also studying to get U.S. citizenship, and she said she is working to improve her English and will take the exams in April.

Wesleyan has also been a resource for Dadon, and she said she has learned a lot because of the rich culture on campus.

"There are excellent musicians from all over [at Wes] so I have lots of opportunities here to exchange our unique talents. If students want to learn about Tibetan traditional music I’m
always open to that." 

Although Dadon’s mission and career have been successful in America, she has not seen her parents for ten years and is forbidden from returning to her country. As she continues to
create music and fight for the preservation of her culture and people, Dadon must also deal with the hardship of knowing her country has a long way to go towards independence.

"I think the Buddha is showing me lessons each time to make me feel strong. I don’t feel sad," she said. "It is suffering, but during periods of difficult times I think that I’m learning a
lesson. I have to be happy and healthy inside myself, and it is up to you to change things and learn from them."

Dadon hopes to share her message through her songs. She is looking forward to this Sunday’s Tibetan New Year celebration, and her 7 p.m. performance will include traditional songs as well as her own compositions.