Bolivia Clasica has established an inventory of hundreds of instruments, including a brand new grand piano, facilitating access for an abundance of students and visiting musicians. Dozens of guest artists from around the world have come to Bolivia to perform and coach over the years, establishing strong ties with local students and teachers, and a whole generation of bright talents has been allowed to shine. The Bolivia Clásica Chamber Orchestra, created and directed by Armando Vera, is the ultimate example of the best of Bolivian talent working together and achieving excellence.

The local musical and administrative team has been at the core of the BC operation; their dedication and guidance in the field have been invaluable and continue to evolve. Our scope has broadened as we grow; in addition to focusing on individual teaching, Bolivia Clásica has introduced orchestral programs where teaching happens en masse, creating a breeding ground for emerging talents which might otherwise remain dormant. By placing emphasis on collaborative efforts, we can bring added value to existing social and educational projects which have sought out our support.

We have established an ever expanding, diverse network of professional collaborators and supporters, with a dedicated 501c3 in the United States, a registered charity in the U.K. as well as the Fundación Bolivia Clásica in Bolivia. Fundraising efforts have resulted in unprecedented support from both the public and the private sector, with most of the funds raised in Bolivia. Ever grateful to our generous sponsors, we continue to explore ways to guarantee sustainability in the longer term.

Our flagship youth orchestra has become an example of what it is possible to achieve given the necessary tools and opportunities.

Our ethos

– Teaching Values: Music education offers a unique opportunity to connect core values with creativity, passion, and emotion. Numerous studies have demonstrated that music education fosters discipline, self-esteem, teamwork, responsibility, creativity, and a strong desire for self-improvement. The pursuit of musical excellence builds a solid foundation for integrity and a strong work ethic—emphasizing doing over having, and being over appearing. Musical training also cultivates healthy, thoughtful attitudes, positively influencing all other aspects of life.

– Awakening Passion: It is imperative to expand culture in society because it provides spiritual and intellectual nourishment, and we must instil a love and passion for the arts across all social strata. Without their cultural centres, meeting places, or places of congregation, cities are dead entities. Today, many nations consider culture a human right; by achieving excellence in a particular language, we come to appreciate all other languages and cultures more. Passion is awakened when children or young people observe the results of their individual progress and discover their ability to learn and understand.

– Cultivating Talent: Our children have the right to develop to their full potential without limits, whether artistically, socially, personally, or culturally. Thus, through excellence, we can generate not only a social impact – preserving childhood and youth from aimlessness – but also an artistic one. The stimulation of individual talent provides guidance and inspiration for the entire group, helping to improve everyone’s work.

– Giving back: Bolivia Clasica alumni are now spread across various parts of the world, successfully forging their own career paths and thereby becoming meaningful role models. Most have already returned to Bolivia to perform and teach, while many support current students through online teaching and, in turn, sponsor them in various ways, paving the way for the next generation.

Armando, who had been teaching violin and coaching youth orchestras in Bolivia for nearly twenty years, was well aware of the expressive talent within the ranks but all the more frustrated by the limitations and lack of resources within local institutions. Ana-Maria, an international concert pianist based in London, realised she might be in a unique position to help. She relocated her family to La Paz to create an innovative platform allowing her colleagues around the world to come to Bolivia, share their knowledge and experience with the abundance of local talent, and discover the wonders of her paternal homeland.

Bolivia Clásica has been a grassroots movement from the beginning, fueled by the younger generation’s fierce determination to break free of the limitations of their environment. The team has faced numerous challenges on this ongoing journey, but these have been largely offset by the groundbreaking achievements of the students and the creation of an ever-expanding artistic family. A true labour of love, Bolivia Clásica was born to celebrate and elevate Bolivia’s rich and diverse culture and its many artistic talents. For this reason, we have placed our energies into building bridges between Bolivia and the rest of the world.

With violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson (left) during the 2014 Bolivia Clásica festival. This marked a legendary return of Jaime Laredo, an internationally renowned violinist of Bolivian descent.

Dream team: Cellist Valeria Escalera, violinists Eric Hosler and Samuel Burgoa joined forces with Armando Vera to kickstart the quartet program in early 2012.

Valeria, backstage at the Cancillería with Lucas and Alfonso.

Samuel Burgoa with Jennifer Stumm in the early days of Bolivia Clásica.

First-ever Bolivia Clásica quartet at the Cinemateca Boliviana, our headquarters for several years.

Armando and Ana-Maria flanking Cergio Prudencio and Alberto Villalpando, two of Bolivia’s most celebrated composers, after the premiere of Villalpando’s piano concerto in December 2015.

Pianist and Bolivia Clásica founder Ana-Maria Vera grew up in Washington D.C., but her affinity for her father’s native Bolivia was powerful from an early age. Ana-Maria was already touring with orchestras worldwide when she discovered her paternal homeland at age nine. Her grandfather was a folk composer, writer and indigenous leader, and her grandmother was a “chola” who lived in the heart of the bustling witches market in La Paz; from this vantage point the rich local culture as well as the striking social injustices left an indelible impression.

Ana-Maria’s trajectory has been remarkable. Her first recording at age eleven with the Rotterdam Philharmonic was awarded a Gold Record by Philips, and at age twelve she was invited to give a recital at the White House for President and Mrs. Carter. Vera’s stature in Bolivia grew quickly, and when she was sixteen the country issued a postage stamp bearing her image.

A former pupil of Ylda Novik and Leon Fleisher, Vera has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Tokyo Symphony amongst others, with conductors including Riccardo Muti, Edo de Waart, David Zinman, Eliahu Inbal, Eduardo Mata and Sergiu Commissiona. She has given countless solo recitals across the globe and has also devoted much of her time to chamber music, developing duo partnerships with Ivry Gitlis, Joshua Bell and Steven Isserlis. Her most recent solo recording, of the Goyescas piano suite by Granados, was released on Signum Classics.

Vera’s position in Bolivia often drew parents with musically talented children to appear at her father’s front door asking how their child could fulfill their aspirations. Her brother Armando Vera, a violinist and teacher who has spent over thirty years in Bolivia, has been a source of compelling testimonials conveying the need for better resources and quality control.

Realizing she might be in a unique position to help, Vera relocated her family from London to La Paz in 2011 to start a charitable music school for Bolivia’s young and talented, and found a world-class music festival there to bring top musicians to the region from around the globe. The challenges Vera and her team have endured so far on this ongoing journey have been numerous, but these have been largely offset by the enthusiasm and progress shown by the children. She has also received unprecedented support from both the public and the private sector, raising most of the funds in Bolivia.