Michel Camilo gives a master class within the framework of the Berklee Santo Domingo 2026 program

A multitude of students shared the stage and knowledge with the renowned pianist

Santo Domingo.– The Ministry of Culture, in coordination with Berklee Santo Domingo 2026, held a "master class" given by the outstanding Dominican pianist and composer Michel Camilo at the Eduardo Brito National Theater, in which a large number of young musicians from different regions of the country participated. The event was attended by the Minister of Culture, Roberto Ángel Salcedo; the Vice Minister of Creativity and Artistic Training, Amaury Sánchez; and the Senior Vice President of Programs and Global Partners of Berklee College of Music, María Martínez Iturriaga. Also in attendance were the president of the AES Dominicana Foundation and general manager of Itabo, Edwin de los Santos; the general director of Fine Arts, Marinella Sallent; the director of the National Conservatory of Music, Paola González; and the coordinator of Berklee in Santo Domingo, Javier Vargas. Prior to the start of the master class, the Minister of Culture expressed that more than three hundred Dominican youths have already had the privilege of studying at this prestigious American institution thanks to the programs developed in the country. In that sense, he reaffirmed that the Ministry of Culture will continue to promote artistic training as one of the fundamental axes for the cultural development of the Dominican Republic.

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Similarly, he highlighted the value of having a figure of the stature of Michel Camilo, noting that his presence guarantees the transfer of knowledge from generation to generation, contributing to the strengthening of the essential values of the Dominican people's culture. These words were offered before giving a warm welcome to the participants, whom he urged to make the most of this training experience. For his part, Michel Camilo expressed his satisfaction at being able to share his knowledge and experience with young Dominican talents, highlighting the importance of boldness, always being positive, and originality in the search for sound as fundamental tools for musical growth. The activity, which established itself as a high-level space for training, artistic exchange, and inspiration for new generations, is part of the special agenda of Berklee in Santo Domingo 2026. Said intensive study program takes place from January 6 to 9 and includes music theory classes, ear training, improvisation, ensemble performance, composition and music production, as well as auditions, interviews and rehearsals, taught by a team of renowned teachers from Berklee College of Music. In the framework of the same, the auditions for the Michel Camilo Scholarship will be held tomorrow, a full scholarship aimed at an outstanding student, endowed with 250,000 dollars, which will give them the opportunity to study at Berklee College of Music. The Berklee in Santo Domingo 2026 program is organized by the Ministry of Culture, in coordination with Berklee College of Music, the General Directorate of Fine Arts and the National Conservatory of Music, and is sponsored by the AES Dominicana and Itabo Foundation, reaffirming the institutional commitment to academic excellence, access to international opportunities and the sustainable development of Dominican musical talent.