Leaders in Medellín are working to professionalize local talent and connect culture with education and technology to create new opportunities, according to a report by Revista Semana. During a recent forum, María Catalina Prieto Vásquez, executive director of the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra, emphasized that the city has a deep historical musical identity extending far beyond reguetón.
Prieto highlighted the importance of collaborative networks between cultural groups, businesses, and universities to train young people in essential industry roles such as stage management and sound engineering. She noted that these skills are often learned through practice rather than formal university degrees, offering vital career paths for students not pursuing traditional higher education. The orchestra has successfully lowered the average age of its audience by engaging directly with community schools and collaborating across genres from urban to metal.
Cristian Daniel Cartagena, manager of Metroparques, added that initiatives like Medellín Music Lab are crucial for developing talent starting at age 13. This municipal program trains students in singing alongside technical skills like booking, social media, and audiovisual production. Both speakers agreed that continued cooperation between public and private sectors is necessary to sustain this growing educational and economic ecosystem.
For more information, visit semana.com.