Isaac Casal, Cello, Panamá

In the year 2003, I applied to Youth Orchestra of the Americas and went on my first tour. My life would never be the same again. YOA helped me to realize that I could live my dream. YOA was the institution that taught me that music can make miracles. . Meeting lots of great musicians from all over the Americas, from Canada to Patagonia in Argentina and learning about their societies, political views, religions, and different languages was beautiful. More beautiful was that it did not matter that our backgrounds were different or if we agreed or not, music was our language and we were able to communicate through it, and together, be one and make a difference… 

This year, I decided to start making a difference and create something new in Panamá where I could give back to my country and share this language of unity with others. I started a program were the youth of Panamá could have the same opportunities as others in well structured and cultured societies. This year (May 2007) we started the first annual national music festival, Alfredo de Saint-Malo Music Festival of Panamá, a week-long festival that unites all the music institutions in Panamá and involves government and private entities. Now I can say that I am living my dream, and I am giving others the opportunity to believe in music and believe in making a difference.

 

Maria Jimena Lovon Hidalgo, Violin, Perú
 
What makes this orchestra so special is the young spirit that never dies, wanting to play better every day, our collective goals and ideas, and above all the single heart that colors each note of every concert we play. If one listens carefully to this orchestra, you will find this magic I speak of, a “magic” I felt in having all these countries and cultures on stage with Plácido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Gustavo Dudamel, and the other great artists who perform with Youth Orchestra of the Americas. 

During the 5 years I’ve been a member of the orchestra I have learned many things and I realized that all the experiences I’ve gone through while in YOA will never leave my mind, because there are so many emotions and stages in my life that were marked by the orchestra, and because of this I doubt it will ever lose its place in my heart.  I thank God for allowing me to participate in this great mission.

 
Nicolás Giorgano, Violin, Uruguay

I will always remember, while staying in Montevideo, we went to play at a school of a low-income neighborhood. And realizing that the children’s orchestra was still rehearsing in Uruguay, I made the connection between YOA and them and had an incredible day in which we played for each other (two chamber groups from YOA), and gave lessons to the kids. They also played for us and YOA invited the whole crew of children to attend our concert of the following day. Until today I hear the young kids saying “I want to be like Emma Murley, the sound of her trumpet was great”; or “Shelby’s sound was amazing; maybe I will try to bow like her. I hope I can play in such an orchestra one day”. That was the impact of only one day of interaction, and a lesson on how music can change the life of people in just a few moments.

After this completely improvised gathering, I realized the power I had in my hands. I found myself in the posture of a “leader” with all the responsibility I had towards the kids of my country. The inspiration that the outreach programs of YOA represented, and my experience with the kids in Uruguay, pushed me to create a youth music program called Sembrando Talentos (Scattering Talents), that brings together youth from low income areas of Montevideo as well as youth from distant areas of Maldonado and Durazno (provinces of Uruguay), to rehearse and take music lessons from distinguished Uruguayan musicians who come to the country either to perform with the professional orchestras and to teach by playing with the youngsters of Sembrando talentos small chamber orchestra.