Up With People believes world peace is just a song and dance away. Or rather, many songs and dances away. For over 20 years, the organization has enabled groups of international students to perform all over the world in the hope of inspiring peace and understanding between individuals and nations.

"The aim of Up With People is to build bridges of understanding through communication," said Gene Dolphus, advance team leader of the group.

Dolphus and his promotion team are busy drumming up interest for Up With People's current show, Time For The Music, which will appear at 7:30 p.m. this Sunday at the State College Area High School auditorium. The proceeds from the performance, which is sponsored by the Penn State Circle K Student Club, will be donated to the State College United Way.

This sort of charity is not atypical of Up With People. In addition to donating money to philanthropic groups, the cast members often visit nursing homes, retirement centers, prisons and schools around the globe to spread their characteristic optimism and good cheer. In this respect, the members of Up With People serve as good will ambassadors.

"We are considered good will ambassadors because we bring good will from other countries, states and towns to a certain community. . .and we get to share that (with them)," Dolphus said.

But the communities of the world are not the only ones who benefit from Up With People, Dolphus explained. The cast members are enriched as well.

"All in all, it makes you a better person," Dolphus maintained, "because you grow and learn more about yourself. . .your state, your country and other countries. Therefore, it broadens your horizons a lot.

"There's a lot to grasp, and you can't grasp it all in the year you're with Up With People. But it's with you and you don't realize it until afterwards. You realize, 'God, I have changed and I can make a difference.' The things you have gained (from Up With People) travel with you."

The Up With People cast features 120 men and women ranging in age from 18 to 25. Before the 11-month world tour begins, the members meet in Tuscon, Arizona for a five-week training program. During the program, the members learn about the purpose and function of the Up With People organization and rehearse upbeat, inspirational song and dance routines. The pop-oriented songs reinforce themes of peace, unity, love, friendship and happiness.