They created a movement called Creamusical, which breaks with the traditional music learning model, has no age limits or training time. They have expanded to working-class neighborhoods and are looking for an objective: making their students identify with musical theory and with an instrument of their choice.
Caracas. With a limitless innovative methodology, and far from the traditional model of musical education, Mary Isabel Cosme and Henry González decided to start their venture in 2016: Creamusical. Now, they share their experience and talent in communities like La Vega and Caricuao.
Cosme said that “the best way to teach music is naturally, the same way you learn to speak, walk or eat. Our work in the communities is one of social responsibility that allows young people to start their training at a low cost. We try to innovate amid a teaching model that has been very rigid and square. We have a more flexible, personalized and even more humane method”.
Creamusical is a movement that breaks with the traditional music model, in which a student must have many years of experience for training. Cosme and González realized that anyone can start their way in the field and that it is never too late to start.
“For several years I had thought about having a music school. I always wanted to but I didn’t know where to start. Mary motivated me to do it more tangibly, ”said González, a professor specialized in Musical Education with 18 years of experience.
He also stated that prior experience is not required to learn to play an instrument, sing, write or read the musical language. Everyone can learn. The main instruments they teach are guitar, cuatro, mandolin, violin, and flute.
Cosme added that if a 50-year-old person wants to learn music and for some reason, someone told her that she was not good enough, but still wants to inquire in this area and has the interest, she can register. We have several students over 40 years old. A good ear for music is something that can be developed. The only thing you should have is the intention and desire to gain more knowledge”.
Her main motivation: the students
Mary, who is also the general manager of her venture, said her main aspiration is for students to identify with music theory and with an instrument of their choice.
She remembers that they started during the school holidays. “At that time we taught private lessons and from there we grew up. Then we started looking for spaces to expand in the communities. We had our first concert with five girls at Christmas. We have already offered our third concert and we are going for more”.
Now Cosme and González have grown up in working-class neighborhoods where they have approximately 50 students of various ages.
The Creamusical program contains different levels of education: maternal, kindergarten (from 3 to 6 years old) and musical preparation for those who have never had experience in reading or writing.
Additionally, two young people collaborate with Mary and Henry. They continue their training and act as teachers under the tutelage of Professor González.
The headquarters of Creamusical are located in Chacaíto. All classes last three hours. Generally, instruments, musical preparation, and singing are taught. Another classroom is located in the Fe y Alegría Andy Aparicio school of La Vega, and in the San Alberto Hurtado parish, open on Wednesdays, while musical activities in Caricuao take place every Thursday at Benito Juárez High School.
