It’s October 12. A plane just landed onto the tarmac in Colombia. Amidst all the chaos as people scrambled to get their luggage, sophomore Nelly Gonzalez is filled with excitement; she couldn’t believe that she was finally in Colombia and about to participate in one of the most prestigious festivals of America: Voices of the Future.
The festival united 165 musicians from 11 countries in South America and the United States to celebrate music as a universal language of creativity. 47 young musicians were selected for their prior participation in YOLA National Festivals – an educational program linked to the Los Angeles Philharmonic that provides high-quality music education to youth from diverse backgrounds – and exceptional performance to represent the U.S. and YOLA.
Nelly started her musical journey with the violin at just two years old, something very rare as most young musicians start at three or four. She has attended YOLA during the summers since 2022, but hadn’t expected to be invited to Voices of the Future and was extremely grateful for the opportunity.
“The experience was incredibly enriching — not only musically, with challenging and demanding rehearsals, but also personally, as it allowed me to connect deeply with other young musicians from various backgrounds,” Nelly said.
Voices of the Future allowed Nelly to meet and engage with people from many different places, especially from Hispanic countries and cultures; however, it was not an easy task. It came with a very busy daily schedule, but for her, it was all worth it.
“Our daily routine began early each morning, giving us a chance to connect and socialize with musicians from other programs. We would then head to the city’s Centro Cultural, where most of our rehearsals were held,” Nelly said. “These sessions were intense, often lasting up to seven hours a day. In the afternoons, we immersed ourselves in cultural activities that allowed us to experience and appreciate Colombian culture firsthand.”
The whole trip was undeniably an unforgettable experience in Nelly’s life, the biggest highlight of her trip was that she had the chance to not only meet, but to play with Grammy winner and Latin international singer Carlos Vives, who has over 15 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and song collabs with many famous artists such as Marc Anthony and Shakira.
“Playing with Carlos Vives was unforgettable; he embodies the spirit of Colombian music and radiates energy, passion, and genuine support for young artists,” Nelly said. “This concert was the highlight of my musical journey—it was filled with joy, energy, and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, as we all ended the performance feeling that we had given our best.”
As a member of the orchestra in the Lamar CISD program, Nelly is also making waves, accomplishing what few in the district have achieved. For orchestra director Mr. Escamilla, her success goes beyond talent—it’s about dedication and resilience. When he talks about Nelly, a sense of pride shines through.
“I feel great,” Mr. Escamilla said. “It’s a very proud moment, it’s just a really huge accomplishment (to be able to have her in the program).”
Nelly has been part of the Fulshear Charger Orchestra program since middle school, allowing her to grow both as a person and as a musician. According to Escamilla, the class is so much more than just a program – it is a place where friendships are created and family bonds are made.
“I’ve had (Nelly) since she was virtual in sixth grade in 2020, and she’s been a big help ever since, helping out others,” Mr. Escamilla said. “I’ve seen her grow and everything.”
Given that the orchestra program is still developing, Mr. Escamilla emphasizes participation over pressure. He encourages his students to take on the challenge of regional auditions because it builds strength, but he does acknowledge that it can be a lot.
“They (auditioners) play in front of a bunch of students and then judges, (which can be) very stressful,” he said. “But I don’t make them do it. I support them every step of the way (no matter their choice).”
Balancing the needs of students with different skill levels is an art for Mr. Escamilla, especially with a standout musician like Nelly in the top group.
“I don’t want to bore her,” he said, “but I don’t want to leave the rest of the students in the dust either.”
Following advice from a mentor, he focuses on engaging his most talented students, pushing them to excel and encouraging others to rise to the challenge.
“It’s worse if talented students quit because they’re bored,” he said. “You don’t go lower because of somebody else.”
For him, Nelly’s presence in the class elevates everyone, creating a dynamic environment where students are inspired to push their limits.
Knowing that Nelly has a bright future, Mr. Escamilla highlighted that he wishes nothing more but for her to persevere with her unique personality.
“What I would tell her is to stay true to herself, to never lose the way she’s humble,” he said. “She’s got (the talent that) will never leave her, and as long as she stays the kind of person that she is right now, she’s going to go far.”
