In 2011, Ana-Maria and Armando Vera – Bolivian-American siblings – joined forces as a response to young Bolivian musicians who aspired to a better quality of music education in their home country.
Armando, who had been teaching violin and coaching youth orchestras in Bolivia for over twenty years, was well aware of the expressive talent within the ranks but all the more frustrated by the lack of resources and the limitations 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 Clasica 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 Clasica 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 Clasica festival. This marked a legendary return of Jaime Laredo, an internationally renowned violinist of Bolivian descent.
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. Commissioned and written for her, Ana-Maria first performed this concerto with the Bolivia Clasica Chamber Orchestra in December, 2015.
This flagship youth orchestra has become an example of excellence, and what it is possible to achieve given the necessary tools and opportunities.