Bridging Cultures Through Music: One Student's Life-Changing Trip to Cuba

Second-year music major Emily Fatkhiyev spent a week performing and learning with the Cuban American Youth Orchestra (CAYO) in the summer of 2024. “I got to see the world from others’ perspectives and form meaningful relationships with those I may never have gotten to meet if it wasn’t for this trip,” she says. 

The transformative experience highlights the crucial role of scholarship support in enabling such enriching experiences. She paints a vivid picture of a week filled with exploration, personal growth, and the enduring power of human connection.

A Week in Cuba

“If I had to describe my trip in one word, it would be life-changing,” Emily wrote shortly after returning from Cuba. “We got to do many fun and informative activities throughout the week.” Her adventures included visiting La Escuela Nacional de Música (The National School of Music), El Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán, Salsa dancing by the ocean, and participating in a showcase with American and Cuban musicians—all while forging deep relationships and unforgettable memories.

Her newfound connection with her Cuban peers highlights the profound impact of immersing oneself in a different culture like Emily did. “The students [she met] are extremely passionate, driven, hard-working, and kind,” she recalled. 

That’s not all that she witnessed. “I learned about the daily struggles that Cubans face,” she says, citing the scarcity of some basic necessities such as toothpaste and feminine hygiene products, as well as other barriers, like daily electrical blackouts. “I think it is important to recognize these hard realities while also recognizing the amazing culture, diversity, and people in Cuba,” she continues. 

“One thing I noticed was the strong sense of community everywhere we went,” Emily recalls. “People are there for each other… I wish there was more of that communal feel here in the US.” She adds, “This experience has and will continue to shape who I am. I have gained a deeper sense of empathy towards others.”

Emily (far left) and clarinetists from the Escuela Nacional de Música at the American students’ first beginner improv class.

Bridging Cultures Through Music & Community

Emily’s time in Cuba emphasized how a shared passion for music can make connections and bridge differences. Music facilitated genuine interactions with her Cuban counterparts, which broke down language barriers and fostered a strong sense of community. “It was so interesting navigating two languages during rehearsals but it worked!” she remarks. “My mom is from Peru—a Spanish-speaking country, and I have grown up regularly hearing it in my house. Although I am not 100% fluent, my ability to connect through conversations with others in Spanish certainly helped.”

She observed that “the quality and access to music equipment and instruments there is significantly limited compared to the US,” yet she was deeply moved by the resilience of the Cuban musicians who made the most of what they had. “They are phenomenal musicians and I can’t even imagine what else they would be able to do if they had the resources that the students on the US trip have,” she reflected. 

This cultural exchange exemplified the importance of these artistic endeavors, which can unite people from different backgrounds by creating a shared space where empathy and understanding can flourish.

Lessons in Empathy & Unity

As Emily reflects on her time in Cuba, it’s clear that such experiences not only enrich the lives of students but also foster a broader, more interconnected world, nurturing future leaders who are equipped with a deeper sense of empathy and a more nuanced view of the world. “I have learned that there are way more similarities between people than differences. We all have something to offer,” Emily says. “I encourage students to seek opportunities like this one where they can learn more about themselves while simultaneously gaining a greater understanding and appreciation for a different way of life,” she states. “I would encourage everyone to go in with an open mind,” she continues. “Have the intention of learning from those you will meet and the experiences you will have rather than any prior assumptions.” 

She shares a guiding principle that encapsulates her insights:

Pursue your passions fervently, explore the depths of the world around you, and invest time in understanding those who inhabit it alongside you. It is through these connections and shared experiences that the true essence of life unfolds, enriching our existence and fostering a world where we can all flourish together.

Cuban and American student musicians, American teaching artists, and adult Cuban friends of CAYO outside the performance venue.

This story was written by Regina Ramos-Francia Ylizaliturri, an undergraduate student in CLA.