Soplan Vientos de Paz (Winds of Peace are Blowing)
Soplan Vientos de Paz is a peace-centered social impact project I founded in 2016 to bring high-quality clarinet music education to children and young people in Cauca, Colombia, one of the regions most deeply affected by armed conflict, economic instability, and limited access to educational resources.
Growing up in a community where violence from the Colombian army and insurgent groups was part of everyday life left a profound impression on me. It also gave me a clear conviction: everyone deserves access to education, music, and guidance, no matter their circumstances. That belief led me to start this project, offering clarinet lessons and meaningful musical experiences to children in Caloto and neighboring towns.
Despite the dangers in the region, the young people I have met are always full of energy, talent, and hope. Our early workshops, supported by the ICETEX Jóvenes Talentos program, were held in Caloto, Santander de Quilichao, Piendamó, and Silvia. Since then, the program has grown to reach other towns in Cauca, as well as Leticia, Amazonas, a remote region in southern Colombia accessible only by plane or boat.
In Leticia, I collaborated with clarinetists ranging in age from 8 to 78, including students from nearby Brazilian villages. That experience reminded me that no matter our age, we all face similar emotional and educational challenges. As an educator, it is my mission to create safe, welcoming spaces where everyone can grow, feel included, and perform to their fullest potential.
What We Do
Soplan Vientos de Paz uses music to build peace, community, and opportunity. The project has focused on:
Empowering youth through individual and group lessons in clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, and general music.
Fostering collaboration through chamber music, educational concerts, and cultural exchange.
Providing resources such as reeds, mouthpieces, and accessories, thanks to generous donors and partners from the U.S.A. and Colombia.
I have also led pedagogy and performance workshops for music teachers and university students, including sessions for the clarinet studio at the Universidad del Cauca in 2022.
Why It Matters
In Cauca, where many children face the risks of drug trafficking and recruitment by armed groups, Soplan Vientos de Paz offers an alternative rooted in creativity, structure, and hope. Music becomes more than an art form, it becomes a refuge and a path toward emotional healing, community belonging, and peace.
By offering access to music education, nurturing local leadership, and building inter-municipal networks, Soplan Vientos de Paz is creating a ripple effect of transformation. With continued support, we aim to expand our reach and help even more communities across Colombia experience the power of music as a force for peace.
