Two faculty members from the Florida State University College of Music—Dr. McKenna Stenson, Assistant Professor of Choral Conducting & Music Education, and Dr. Hana Beloglavec, Assistant Professor of Trombone—recently returned from an inspiring trip to Cartagena, Colombia, where they participated in the 25th annual UNIBAC Clínicas, hosted by the Adolfo Mejía Navarro Conservatory and Institución Universitaria Bellas Artes y Ciencias de Bolívar (UNIBAC).
Organized through the leadership of Dr. Gregory Jones, Associate Dean of Engagement at the College of Music, the trip marked a significant cultural and musical exchange between FSU and the Colombian music community. The UNIBAC Clínicas celebrate vocal, choral, and instrumental excellence across Colombia, drawing students and educators together for a week of collaborative learning and performance.
A Week of Musical and Cultural Exchange
Dr. McKenna Stenson worked closely with four choral ensembles from Cartagena, leading masterclasses, introducing new choral repertoire, and conducting the culminating mass choir performance. She taught several choral works, including two South African folk songs, and encouraged students to explore a wide range of musical traditions.
The flow of information was not one-way; while Stenson shared American folk songs and spirituals with clinic participants, she herself learned about traditional Colombian styles like porro and cumbia and describes the trip as a “unique musical exchange.”
“Music is a universal language that can bring people together regardless of background or language,” said Stenson. “Throughout the week, we celebrated many impactful musical moments and developed meaningful lifelong relationships.”
For Stenson, one memorable highlight of the trip was the final concert, where all participating choirs came together as one. Rather than conducting, Stenson joined the students on stage, singing and dancing alongside them in a powerful show of unity. “It was symbolic of the whole trip,” she reflected, “as I was both a teacher and a student learning about the history and culture of Cartagena.”
Collaboration Through Performance and Teaching
For trombonist Dr. Hana Beloglavec, the trip offered an equally rich opportunity for artistic and cultural exchange. She led masterclasses with trombone students at UNIBAC and collaborated with students and faculty during orchestra rehearsals and the final concert performance.
“Before the trip, I was both excited and a little nervous—I had never been to Colombia before,” said Beloglavec. “From the moment I arrived, however, I was struck by how warm, welcoming, and hospitable everyone was.”
Language posed occasional challenges, but Beloglavec found that music often transcended words. “It was incredibly rewarding to see the students engaging deeply with the musical ideas I shared,” she added.
One of her favorite memories from the trip centers around the opportunities that they had to connect with students and faculty outside of rehearsals. “Getting to experience Colombian culture through the meals we shared was a wonderful way to connect beyond music.”
A Shared Commitment to Global Learning
Both faculty members returned to Tallahassee energized and grateful for the experience. They emphasized the importance of international engagement in music education—not only for cultural enrichment but also for personal and professional growth.
“I hope to continue to encourage my students to study abroad, sing music from other cultures, and explore outside of Tallahassee,” said Stenson. “When we travel and learn about other cultures, we grow.”
Beloglavec echoed that sentiment: “I came away from this experience feeling deeply grateful to be part of a university that supports international collaboration and cultural exchange. Traveling and connecting with others through music reminded me how universal our art form truly is.”
