For two Florida State University College of Music PhD students, a recent journey to Cartagena, Colombia, offered an extraordinary blend of musical immersion, cross-cultural exchange, and international collaboration. Steven Olson and Sarita Gustely, both studying Music Education and Choral Conducting under Dr. Michael Hanawalt, traveled to the historic city to take part in the annual UNIBAC Clínicas. Hosted at the Adolfo Mejía Navarro Conservatory and the Institución Universitaria Bellas Artes y Ciencias de Bolívar (UNIBAC), the program fostered deep artistic connections.
The opportunity came as a result of a partnership with UNIBAC established by Dr. Greg Jones, Associate Dean for Artistic Planning at the FSU College of Music, which allows faculty and advanced students to serve as invited teaching artists.
“Our work with UNIBAC in Cartagena for these past years has provided our faculty, students, and recent alumni the opportunity to be guest artists for programming that touches young musicians from across Colombia,” said Dr. Greg Jones, Associate Dean for Artistic Planning at the FSU College of Music. “This year, in addition to our two fantastic choral graduate students, we also invited recent alumna Dr. Liliyana Verónica Guerrero, Assistant Professor of Voice in the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, to join the faculty.
For Gustely and Olson, the residency was a whirlwind of cross-cultural learning. Olson spent his days conducting the university choir, teaching masterclasses, and introducing English repertoire to help students sharpen their English diction. In return, he dove headfirst into the rhythmic world of Colombian Cumbia and modern choral arrangements.
Gustely worked with the KIDS Clinics (a special program focusing on younger, less experienced musicians), coaching students ages 6 to 17. Born and raised in Mexico, Gustely led all her rehearsals entirely in Spanish, bonding with the kids over shared Latin American culture and vibrant regional repertoire.
“The youth singers of Cartagena filled my heart with a deep desire to learn, have fun, and enjoy the process,” said Gustely. “They were all so eager to try new things and learn. Additionally, I really enjoyed getting to know the local area teachers, learning about their programs, and sharing informal professional development ideas together,” continued Gustely. “There is a deep sense of gratitude in the community and love of music and culture. It is inspiring to see a group of young people feel music so deeply. I left with a full heart!
Collaborating with local musical leaders provided another opportunity for cultural and academic exchange. Gustely found herself exchanging performance practice ideas between Mexican and Colombian traditions with UNIBAC ensemble member Maestro Juan Carlos Arnedo, while Olson worked alongside another faculty member, Maestro Fernando Carrillo.
“Fernando made the week a dream,” said Olson. “He was generous and kind in sharing his students with me and answered my many questions about Colombian music.”
The intensive week of cross-cultural learning culminated in a grand performance featuring over 400 choir, band, and orchestra students. Now back in Tallahassee, Olson and Gustely plan to introduce Colombian Cumbia and other rich repertoire to choirs in the United States, and hope to one day invite their Colombian collaborators to work with American ensembles, bringing their Colombian experience full circle.
“We are delighted to announce,” said Jones, “that during this year’s clinics and festival we [the FSU College of Music] signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the leaders of UNIBAC that will allow the two institutions to continue to build unique exchanges and partnerships well into the future.”
“Cultural immersion with music as a major vehicle is a very strong experience for all involved,” continued Jones. “We are fortunate to have such great partners like Germán Céspedes Diaz, the Director of the Conservatorio Adolfo Mejia and architect of this wonderful musical event.”
