Colombian Music & Culture with Hopkins High School
March 10-16, 2027
Dear Musicians,
Join the Hopkins High School Band and Orchestra on an extraordinary musical journey to Colombia's Caribbean coast—a week of cultural immersion that will transform how you understand rhythm, heritage, and the power of music to connect communities across borders.
We'll explore Cartagena and the surrounding region where cumbia was born, where African drumming traditions have been preserved for centuries, and where Indigenous gaita flutes still echo the sounds of pre-colonial Colombia. You'll learn directly from master musicians, perform with local high school students, and participate in hands-on workshops that bring music theory to vibrant, living practice.
This serious music education adventure will blend intensive musical learning with Spanish language practice, historic exploration of San Basilio de Palenque (the first town free from slavery in the Americas), and recreational time on stunning tropical beaches, mangrove ecosystems, and rainforests. Every experience—from Son Batá dance workshops to street fandango parades—deepens your understanding of how geography, history, and culture shape the music we play.
We’re thrilled to offer you this investment in your musical education that will resonate throughout your life. The rhythms, techniques, and cultural insights you bring home will enrich our ensemble's musicianship and broaden our collective understanding of music's universal language.
Sincerely,
Nora Tycast and Alison Swiggum
Hopkins High School Band and Orchestra
Program Details
Tour cost: $2,650 (per student) + Airfare: $900 (estimated)
PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Non-refundable deposits of $750 are due to Project Por Amor upon signing up to secure a space. Full payment of the final balance is due by December 10, 2026. Two balance payments of $962 + $450 airfare are due by September 20th and December 20th, 2026.
Spots will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis. This tour is for students only. Parents who would like to chaperone must contact Hopkins High School staff directly. 45 travelers need to make deposits by September 10th in order for this program to go. All payments will be refunded if the minimum is not reached. We encourage you to sign up while there is still availability.
NOTE: Airfare is calculated separately from the trip cost. In the case that we need to add additional flights to accommodate more travelers, the cost will depend on the airline’s prices at the time of booking. For the lowest prices, we encourage you to register early.
For more information on any aspect of this Colombia experience, please contact Sage Lewis at Project Por Amor by phone: 310-961-1574 or email: projectporamor@gmail.com
Program Price Includes:
Roundtrip international flights from MSP to CTG
In-country medical care and emergency evacuation insurance for all travelers
Accommodations for five nights at the four-star beachfront Hotel Cartagena Plaza and one night at the Hotel Fontymar in Carmen de Bolívar (4-5 students per room)
Daily breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at local restaurants, and daily bottled water
Guided visits to Cartagena’s historic neighborhoods, Montes de María, San Jacinto, La Boquilla, Carmen de Bolívar, and San Basilio de Palenque
Interactive music and dance workshops with local musicians, including Grammy-nominated Gregorio Uribe, Batambora community musicians, Tambores Ri Tabalá, Kombilesa Mi, Sexteto Tabalá, and Cumbia band
Recreational time on beaches and swimming pool including paddle-boarding, soccer, snorkeling, bonfire, and more
Two Spanish immersion classes focused on communication skills and cultural expressions, led by local educators
HHS student rehearsal, exchange, and public concert with local peer musicians in Montes de María
Pre-trip information on preparing for Colombia and travel itinerary app with updated trip information, guides, maps, and communications
Full-time support from full-time HHS teachers, Project Por Amor staff, chaperones, and local guides
Transportation in private coaches throughout the Program (includes airport transfers)
Opportunities for reflection, discussion, and group connection during shared meals, workshops, and closing bonfire celebration
Program price does NOT include:
Third-party trip interruption insurance
Personal expenses, phone calls, laundry, minibar
All other items not listed in ‘PROGRAM PRICE INCLUDES’
Safety
Colombia today is not the Colombia of decades past. The country has undergone a remarkable transformation since the 2016 peace accord. Cartagena, where we'll be based, is one of Latin America's safest and most visited cities—a UNESCO World Heritage Site that welcomes millions of international tourists annually, including thousands of American students. The Colombian government has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure and security, particularly in the Caribbean coastal region. While the U.S. State Department rates Colombia as a Level 3 Travel Advisory, it rates Cartagena at Level 1 ("Exercise Normal Precautions")—the same rating as many European destinations. We'll be in tourist-friendly areas with professional local guides, established educational partnerships, and 24/7 local support. As with any international travel, we'll follow standard safety protocols: stay together as a group, avoid displaying valuables, follow local guidance, avoid dangerous areas, and maintain constant communication.
Why Colombia?
A Rich Musical Landscape: Colombia offers high school music students an unparalleled "land of a thousand rhythms" where they can learn diverse genres like UNESCO-recognized Vallenato and Afro-Colombian drumming through hands-on workshops with community elders and peer exchanges. Cartagena's Caribbean coast is the birthplace of cumbia, champeta, and countless Afro-Colombian musical traditions, offering unmatched diversity of living musical genres in one accessible region.
Immense Biodiversity and Natural Recreation: Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world and the top in bird species. Stunning Caribbean beaches, mangroves, rainforest, and coral reefs offer an abundance of recreational activities and learning opportunities in ecology and conservation. Located just 690 miles from the equator, Cartagena enjoys warm, tropical weather in March (averaging 82-88°F)—a welcome escape from Minnesota's late winter.
Rich Cultural Tapestry: The country is a melting pot of Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences, allowing for a deep dive into diverse traditions, music (like salsa and cumbia), cuisine, and arts. Cartagena’s musical roots provide essential context for understanding how rhythm, resistance, and cultural preservation shaped not only Colombian music but also American jazz, blues, and contemporary genres.
Spanish Language Immersion: Colombia is recognized for its clear and neutral Spanish, making it an ideal place for language learners.
Lessons in Social Innovation, Sustainability, Peace-building, and Community Connections: Educational travel in Colombia emphasizes sustainable tourism, meaningful connections with local communities, and conservation efforts. The tour provides a profound understanding of Colombia's complex political and social history, including the recent peace processes.
A trip of lifetime.
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"Traveling to Cuba with Project Por Amor was an amazing experience that inspired me beyond imagination and truly touched my soul. It felt like a new fest friend was sharing an amazing place with me that I will hold in my heart forever."
Heather Novak-Peterson
VP of Experiential Graphic Design & Artist Minnetonka, MN -
"The team went well above and beyond my expectations, and I came home with a new appreciation for the Cuban people, their culture, and their history. The accommodations and dining arrangements were exceptional and showed Havana at its very best. We were treated to several music and dance performances, my favorite being a rooftop jazz performance by two of the most talented teenage musicians I've seen. I really cannot recommend Project Por Por and this experience enough."
Nick Malbraaten
Software engineer
St. Louis Park, MN. -
"Por Amor created a once in a lifetime tour of Cuba for our school. Sage Lewis and team provided a lot of helpful information in advance to help us prepare. And the activities they planned gave us a greater appreciation for Cuba, it's people and culture. They arranged amazing meals and were always checking in to make sure we had what we needed and were enjoying our stay. It was a truly life changing experience!"
Scott Bryden
Hopkins High School