June 22, 2025 - June 29, 2025
Program Description
Beyond Borders: El Salvador Cultural Exchange Project
Discover the world, make new friends, and celebrate the universal power of music.
The Beyond Borders: El Salvador Cultural Exchange Project is a unique residency program that brings C’est Bon Music Academy to Central America to collaborate with the students and faculty of the Escuela Nacional de Música de El Salvador, formerly known as El Sistema de El Salvador. Accompanied by a team of C’est Bon Music faculty members, participants will engage in immersive, hands-on learning experiences in a vibrant new environment, bridging cultures through music.
Over the course of a week, students will engage in masterclasses, side-by-side rehearsals with students of Escuela Nacional de Música, and chamber music sessions, culminating in a performance at San Salvador’s iconic Teatro Nacional. Beyond musical training, they will explore the rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes of El Salvador through cultural excursions, gaining a deeper appreciation of the country’s dynamic history and customs. As El Salvador undergoes a major transformation, this project offers a rare opportunity for students to form cross-cultural connections and embark on a journey of artistic and personal discovery.
A Word from our Partner Organization:
At the National School of Music in El Salvador, we’re excited to expand our connections with talented musicians from around the world. We believe that by forming relationships with experienced instrumentalists, we can inspire and enrich our students’ journeys in the art of music-making.
Our mission is to open doors for our students, not only to connect them with experienced mentors but also to introduce them to international students who share their passion and discipline for orchestral performance. We’re convinced that, despite our differences in culture and geography, music is a universal language that will bring us together. Through these collaborations, we hope to inspire our students to dream bigger—pursuing careers in music and maybe even studies abroad.
Join us as we work to shape the future of music education in El Salvador. Let’s make music together and create an inspiring community that transcends borders.
Daniel Domínguez
Academic Coordinator
National School of Music in El Salvador
Sample Schedule
June 22
Fly to El Salvador
June 23-24
Breakfast at the hotel
Masterclasses, chamber rehearsals and lessons in the morning
Lunch at a local restaurant
Side-by-side orchestra rehearsals in the afternoon
Dinner and relaxing with friends
June 25
A cultural excursion to discover El Salvador!
Possible sites we may visit include:
Parque Nacional el Boquerón: hike to explore an enormous volcano crater
Ataco or Suchitoto: a colonial town with cobbled streets, old churches and artisan shops
La Libertad: a sunny beach town with great seafood and beautiful views of the ocean
June 26-27
Breakfast at the hotel
Masterclasses, chamber rehearsals and lessons in the morning
Lunch at a local restaurant
Side-by-side orchestra rehearsals in the afternoon
Dinner and a stroll along Paseo el Carmen, a bustling night market street
June 28
Dress rehearsal and our final concert at the spectacular Teatro Nacional in historic downtown San Salvador followed by a celebratory meal with new friends.
June 29
Fly home to California
Eligibility
15-18 years old
Strings, wind or brass instrumentalist
You must attend at least one session of the 2025 C'est Bon Camp. Priority will be given to enrolled students or student volunteers who participate in the 2nd session.
4- 6 students will be selected.
Tuition
$1,000
Tuition includes room (double occupancy) and board, all local transportation and activities. Airfare is not included and must be purchased separately. An average round-trip flight to San Salvador is $600-$700.
Application Process
You must indicate your interest in participating when you apply for C’est Bon Music Academy Summer Program Session 1 and/or 2. You will be asked to write a paragraph expressing your interest in this opportunity and explaining why you want to apply.