Founded in 2011 by renowned tenor Juan Diego Flórez, Sinfonía por el Perú is an organisation dedicated to “generating processes of social transformation through collective music education.” Inspired by the principles of Venezuela’s National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs, its intervention model includes musical and choral training programmes, as well as projects focused on violence prevention and the promotion of cultural identities. In this interview, Gabriela Perona, executive director of Sinfonía por el Perú, shares the organisation’s history, describes its initiatives, and delves into its collaboration with other cultural and social institutions in the country.

 

It was 2009, and Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez had become one of the most recognised and sought-after Latin American singers in the opera world. At just 36, he had already performed at venues such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Vienna State Opera, the Royal Opera House in London, and the Teatro Real in Madrid, to name a few. The Lima-born tenor was at the height of his career.

During this period, he received an invitation to perform a concert in Caracas with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. It was Flórez’s first time performing in Venezuela, and he took the opportunity to learn about the workings of the country’s youth orchestra programme, known as El Sistema. He visited several of the programme’s centres in cities like Caracas and Barquisimeto, accompanied by Dudamel and the project’s founder, José Antonio Abreu.

 

 

This experience was the decisive inspiration for Flórez to establish Sinfonía por el Perú in 2011, an organisation dedicated to creating social transformation through collective music education. Initially, the institution aimed to promote collective musical education as a path to holistic development. Today, it offers training programmes in musical initiation, instrument performance, lutherie, and choral practice, among others.

Similar to the Venezuelan model, Sinfonía por el Perú operates through “núcleos” (cores) — educational, artistic, and social training centres where all instrumental and choral programmes are implemented. Currently, the institution has 30 centres in ten regions of Peru. According to its latest annual report, published in 2023, the organisation has benefitted over 6,400 children and young people.

 

 

In addition to musical training, Sinfonía por el Perú has developed artistic programmes to bring its four main ensembles—the Youth Orchestra and Choir, and the Children’s Orchestra and Choir—to various stages in Peru and abroad. For example, in July 2024, Sinfonía por el Perú Youth Choir performed in Vienna. More recently, between September and October of the same year, Sinfonía por el Perú Youth Orchestra toured with Juan Diego Flórez in cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Vienna, Geneva, and Paris.

 

“Over the years, Sinfonía por el Perú has proven that its impact extends beyond the musical realm, touching personal, educational, familial, and community dimensions. Through safe and protective spaces, it fosters the development of socio-emotional, cognitive, and civic skills, promoting values such as respect, discipline, teamwork, and social peace,” says Gabriela Perona, executive director of Sinfonía por el Perú.

 

 

Today, the organisation has expanded its intervention model, and the impact of its programmes now extends not only to its direct beneficiaries—children and young people aged 5 and older—but also to their families and communities. Current projects include Sinfonía por la Paz, which works on violence prevention in vulnerable districts, and Sonidos de la Frontera, in collaboration with Colombia’s Fundación Nacional Batuta, aimed at promoting Amazonian identity among children and adolescents in the border region between Peru and Colombia.

 

To strengthen its support network, Sinfonía por el Perú has joined Ópera Latinoamérica (OLA), a move that “reinforces our purpose and strengthens our ability to impact the lives of thousands of children and young people. It is an opportunity to build bridges that allow us to go further, uniting our voices to create a better future,” says Gabriela Perona.

 

This collaboration with Ópera Latinoamérica marks a new phase in the expansion of Sinfonía por el Perú, which continues to work towards providing children and young people in Peru with a powerful tool for social change, demonstrating that music can drive transformation within communities.

 

 

Read the full interview with Gabriela Perona, executive director of Sinfonía por el Perú.

 

How and why was Sinfonía por el Perú founded? How has its mission evolved since its inception? What opportunities or challenges have you encountered along the way?

 

Sinfonía por el Perú was founded 13 years ago as a result of the vision of Juan Diego Flórez, president and founder of the organisation, who sought to contribute to the holistic development of children and young people in Peru. This initiative was inspired by a visit to Venezuela, where Flórez found inspiration in the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs, a renowned programme of social impact led by José Antonio Abreu. Thus, Sinfonía por el Perú began its work by promoting free and collective music education as a pillar of social transformation.

 

Over the years, Sinfonía por el Perú has demonstrated that its impact extends beyond music, affecting personal, educational, familial, and community dimensions. Through safe and protective spaces, it fosters the development of socio-emotional, cognitive, and civic skills, promoting values such as respect, discipline, teamwork, and social peace.

 

 

What impact has the foundation had on the communities it works with, and how do you measure the success of its music education programmes?

 

Our intervention model has evolved and now encompasses not only direct beneficiaries but also their families and communities. A standout example is the Sinfonía por la Paz project: Empowered Communities Against Violence, which works on violence prevention in vulnerable districts such as La Victoria, El Rímac, and San Juan de Lurigancho, promoting a culture of peace. Another important project is Sonidos de la Frontera, in collaboration with Colombia’s Fundación Nacional Batuta, which promotes Amazonian identity among children and adolescents in the border area between Peru and Colombia.

To measure the success of our programmes, we use impact evaluations, surveys, community feedback, and the strengthening of our strategic partnerships. Additionally, we observe the progress of our beneficiaries, who find pathways to a successful future through music.

 

 

How does the foundation collaborate with cultural and educational institutions in Peru and internationally to expand its reach and mission?

 

Sinfonía por el Perú establishes strategic alliances with cultural and educational institutions, mining companies, and international entities. Through these partnerships, we promote joint initiatives that benefit children, young people, and communities. Moreover, we create networks and exchange programmes that enrich the artistic and personal training of our beneficiaries.

 

 

In the Peruvian social and cultural context, specifically, what role does music and arts education play in the personal development of children and adolescents? How can music be a transformative vehicle?

 

Access to music and arts education is fundamental for the holistic development of children and adolescents, as it fosters cognitive, motor, emotional, communicative, and social competencies. Music encourages essential skills and values that can be applied in various environments such as school, home, and the community, thereby shaping agents of change who contribute to a better world.

 

 

Why did Sinfonía por el Perú decide to join Ópera Latinoamérica?

 

Sinfonía por el Perú seeks to build bridges and support networks with organisations that share its mission of bringing music, art, and culture closer to Peruvian children and youth. Joining Ópera Latinoamérica strengthens our commitment and enhances our ability to impact the lives of thousands of children and young people across the country.