On June 2, 2022 Colombian musicians from the Glauser School of Music proudly represented Kent State University when they performed alongside The American Pops Orchestra at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House for a concert celebrating the 200 year bilateral partnership between the two countries.
Ricardo Sepúlveda, assistant professor in charge of leading the Kent Blossom Music Festival, has been involved with various collaborations with the Colombian Embassy in the United States. It is through these collaborations that Sepúlveda was approached by the Embassy to recruit Colombian musicians for this event. Three recent Kent State University graduates participated: violinists David Mendieta and Jose Ramirez, and violist Valentina Pulido. Mendieta, Ramirez abnd Pulido all graduated in May, 2022 with a Master of Music in Performance with emphasis in Chamber Music. They were the only students that performed with The American Pops during this event and all three graduates will attend Kent Blossom Music Festival this Summer.
The president of Colombia, Iván Duque, and the Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, Juan Carlos Pinzón provided remarks throughout the evening. Master of ceremonies included Wilmer Valderrama and other Colombian celebrities. The concert featured artists from both countries and had an all-star cast, including cast members from Disney’s Encanto, the American singers Patti LaBelle, Morgan James, and Billy Gilman, and the Colombian musical groups Herencia de Timbiquí and PISO 21, among others. This invitation only concert played to a sold out house of officials, diplomats, congressmen, businessmen and various important figures from both countries
It was an honor to have Kent State University highlighted and mentioned during the concert by Wilmer Valderrama.
Photo Caption from left to right: José Ramírez, Luke Frazier (Founder and Music Director of the American Pops Orchestra), Valentina Pulido, David Mendieta.