Since May of 2005, it has been my privilege to spend a total of 21 weeks, over a span of four visits, teaching and coaching chamber music at the School of Music of the Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas, in Bogotá, Colombia. The above photo of a Colombian landscape is sufficient to explain the almost mystical connection that I feel with that country. No one is immune to such beauty. It is not possible to convey in words my affection for the students, colleagues, and admininistration of Corpas, as well as the people of Colombia.
The following photos represent a journey back to a magical place that has greatly enriched my life. This is a modest tribute and a heartfelt "thank you" to all those who appear in these pages. There are many more people, of course, who extended great courtesy and hospitality, and are near and dear to my heart, but I did not always have the forsight to have a camera with me. Muchisimas Gracias !
My dear friend and colleague, Fabio Santana, the main violin teacher at Corpas. Fabio is a native of Cuba and was trained by Russian pedagogues. I know Fabio to be gracious, charming, and extremely generous. We performed the Bach Double concerto in August of 2005 and it was truly a pleasure to work with this wonderful artist. Gracias, Fabio ! 
Maestros Henryk Zarzycki (cello) and Fabio Santana (violin) listen intently to string juries. Juries at Corpas are not a "rubber stamp" formality and are taken very seriously by the students.
Saturdays are for the preparatory "Unimusica" program. These two cuties make me think of the Maurice Chevalier classic, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls".
Ruth Elena, Christopher Jepperson, Ana Isabel Zorro, and AZ. Ruth Elena is violist with the Orquesta Synfónica de Colombia. Christopher, her husband, is a marvelous clarinetist, and Ana Isabel is a rising star in the cello world. She performed the Roccoco Varations with the Bogota Philharmonic in August of 2006. Having worked with Einar Holm at the Ithaca Violoncello Institute, she is no stranger to Central New York.
Ana Isabel and Raul Garcia
Pablo Hurtado and Pilarica
Simple and humble it may be, but some of my most treasured musical memories were made within those walls. I used to meet the Unimusica Quartet there at 8:00 AM.
The Unimusica Quartet doing an afternoon "sound check" prior to an evening performance at the Alliance Francaise. It was my privilege to coach them in this program.
(August of 2005)
Erasmo Jurado rehearsing the Bacewicz Piano Quintet (August, '06)
You don't shake hands with Erasmo ... you can't help but hug him
Carolina Ardila
This young lady had a one hour daily bus ride (on a good day) to Corpas and yet she would come for chamber music or a lesson early in the morning. There is no question most young people in the USA would never consider such an inconvenience as being remotely acceptable.
Adriana Arcila
I had the good fortune to befriend Adriana's parents and sister. Carlos and Clarita have family in Connecticut and I look forward to meeting them as well. Great people !!
Tatiana Bohórquez
... a highly gifted and welcome addition this summer to the Corpas talent pool, warms up before performance of the Medelssohn String Octet (August, 2006). This is another student who traveled a long distance (well over an hour) and never complained. I must say that in their desire to get an education, there are few hardships that these students will not overcome.
Iván Villalobos warms up before the Javeriana concert
Ivan was one of my favorites ..... he liked my jokes
Chamber Music class celebration after the final concert at the Sala Otto de Greiff (Aug. '06)