In Colorado, cellist and artist-teacher Cassye Dunkhase runs a non-profit called Cellists for Change, dedicated to empowering youth through music. There are three branches of the non-profit, one focused on increasing access to music education in Colorado, another focused on commissioning new music from historically underrepresented composers, and the third branch nurtures a partnership with the Escuela de Cuerdas, a school of music and cultural center here in Huehuetenango.
Cassye has been a volunteer with the Iowa Miles of Smiles Team for a number of years. When the team was last in Huehuetenango, Cassye met Sergio Marroquín, the founder and director of Escuela de Cuerdas. Sergio is passionate about providing music education and cultural opportunities to communities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. In 2020, Cassye had the honor of performing a concert for the Iowa MOST team with Sergio and his orchestra that blended classical music and the traditional music of Guatemala.
Over the past three years, Cellists for Change has donated over 20 instruments as well as other supplies essential for running a school of music. While down here, Cassye has been giving master classes to the cello students, professional development workshops to the teachers, and performing collaborative concerts with the orchestra.
In the past, Iowa MOST has always done community engagement projects while the team is working in Huehuetenango, and one of those has been with the Fundación Salvación, an orphanage and foster care center. Separately, Cellists for Change has raised money for the kids at Fundación Salvación to take music lessons. In the past year they have made it possible for 17 kids to take music lessons.
Most recently, Cellists for Change and Chase the Music (a separate Colorado non-profit that gives kids with critical medical conditions the gift of music) collaborated to commission a new piece from Sergio Marroquín, written specifically for the children receiving care from Iowa MOST. Music has the power to bring love, hope, joy and strength to the people it touches. It also has the ability to aid in the healing process. Sergio’s piece was written for string ensemble, piano and marimba, and incorporates his classical musical training as well as his passion for the traditional music of Guatemala. As part of commissioning the piece, the grant from Chase the Music provided funds for a performance for the patients and their families.
A local shelter run by pastor Mario came to the aid of the Iowa MOST team by providing space for the families to stay since many of the families travel long distances for Iowa MOST and the project pays for their accommodations and meals while they are in Huehuetenango. The shelter had had a celebration earlier in the day and so offered the use of a beautiful set-up with tents, flowers and balloons and gorgeous lighting in the inner courtyard. Above us was a beautiful star-studded sky. It was truly magical!
Cassye commented that while playing for the kids and their families, it was really special to be able to see the faces of the children as they watched the concert. Everyone in attendance could see that the kids and their families were enraptured by the music. Some may never have had an opportunity before this to hear an orchestra. We believe that through service and building friendships – and this year this amazing concert – we help demonstrate to the kids how precious they are.
