HOPKINS HIGH SCHOOL MUSIC TOUR TO CUBA

March 20 - 26, 2025

Dear Musicians,

Join the Hopkins High School Music Program on an unparalleled musical voyage to Havana for a week of cultural exchange that promises to ignite our passions and broaden our horizons. In this city, where music is the lifeblood, we’ll engage directly with a local high school's musicians, diving into a world where every note tells a story.

Expect a crescendo of educational encounters and hands-on learning with Cuba's finest, blending our tunes with theirs. Between shared rehearsals, meals, and a concert with the Cuban National School of the Arts, Havana's rhythms will be our guide. This experience offers us a multi-sensory immersion of performances, local cuisine, history, recreation, and workshops that invite us to listen, learn, and connect.

This international trip is more than a getaway; it’s an investment in our musical journey, sure to echo back into our school with newfound inspirations. Let’s harmonize with Havana's heartbeat and create memories that will play on forever.

Sincerely,

Nora Tycast, Alison Swiggum, Melissa Hanson, and Crystal Ballard
Hopkins High School

Program Details

REGISTRATION FOR THIS TOUR IS NOW CLOSED

Trip Cost: $2,700
+ Airfare: $890

PAYMENT SCHEDULE: Non-refundable deposits of $750 are due to Project Por Amor upon signing up to secure a space. Two balance payments of $975 + $445 airfare are due by September 20th and December 20th, 2024.

This tour is for students only. Parents who would like to chaperone must contact Hopkins High School staff directly. Spots will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis. 45 travelers need to make deposits by June 1 in order for this program to go. All funds 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 American Airline’s prices at the time of booking. For the lowest prices, we encourage you to register early.

Program Price Includes:

  • Cuban Cultural Visa and U.S. licensing paperwork for General License for Educational Travel

  • Medical insurance in Cuba and General Liability and Errors & Omissions insurance with extended coverage certificate for Hopkins Public Schools

  • All customer service and billing

  • Flight purchasing through American Airlines Group Travel (includes one bag and oversize instruments)

  • Guidance and pre-trip information on preparing for Cuba including orientation meeting with tour planners

  • Airport assistance in Havana

  • Travel & itinerary app with updated trip information, guides, maps, and communications

  • Accommodations for six nights at the Hotel Grand Astón (3-4 students per room)

  • In-depth student exchange program with Havana music high school Escuela Internacional de Arte or Conservatorio Amadeo Roldán (TBD) including three rehearsals, a concert, and social activities

  • Daily deluxe breakfast buffet, six lunches, and six dinners at select paladares (Havana’s best private restaurants)

  • Shared lunch and dinner with Cuban peers

  • Educational activities with local experts including masterclass rehearsal with maestra Zenaida Romeu; presentation on the Music of Cuba; salsa dancing class; visits to the Museum of the Revolution and Capitol building; a nightly canon ceremony; and walking tours of Old Havana, Matanzas, and Parque Central neighborhoods

  • Live performances of Ballet Folklorico Nacional, La Guarida Sessions rooftop jazz concert, Afro-Cuban electronic fusion ensemble, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas rumba group, Septeto Nacional ensemble, La Camerata Romeu, and Mi Compañia modern dance company

  • Recreational activities including day excursion to Varadero beach, classic convertible sunset car ride, swimming pool, ice cream at Coppelia, and San Jose Craft Market

  • Large luxury coach buses providing transportation to all events

  • Led by Hopkins High School teachers Nora Tycast, Alison Swiggum, Melissa Hanson, and principal Crystal Ballard

  • 24-hour program management by expert Project Por Amor staff Sage Lewis and Nadine Erickson along with two full-time professional bilingual Cuban tour guides

  • 3% credit card transaction fee

    (Note: Please understand that this program is still in development with our Cuban exchange partners and is subject to changes as we continue to plan the events together.)

Program price does NOT include:

  • Airfare from people’s home cities in the US to Cuba is charged separately from tour cost

  • Third-party trip interruption insurance

  • All other items not listed in ‘PROGRAM PRICE INCLUDES’

Legal Travel to Cuba

This trip is designed to fully adhere with the U.S. Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control's guidelines §515.565 for General License for Educational Activities: Educational exchanges sponsored by Cuban or U.S. secondary schools involving secondary school students' participation in a formal course of study or in a structured educational program offered by a secondary school or other academic institution and led by a teacher.

A trip of lifetime.

  • “My favorite high school memory was traveling to Cuba during my senior year during spring break with the band. I got to experience so many new things that I never thought I would get to experience and it truly was a life-changing trip for me. I developed a deeper understanding of Cuban culture and music and getting to experience it all with my peers was incredible and something I'll never forget.”

    Kaelyn Pecha
    Spring Lake Park High School Band trip with Nora Tycast and Project Por Amor

  • "My favorite school memory is when the band traveled to Cuba. It was an amazing opportunity I never thought I would be given. The trip was amazing because of our amazing band directors and all that they do for us. I will always remember this school trip and I am grateful I was given this opportunity to travel to Cuba."

    Britta Solheim
    Spring Lake Park High School Band trip with Nora Tycast and Project Por Amor

  • "Our experience in Cuba met and exceeded expectations. If we’d visited Cuba on our own we wouldn’t have had the opportunities and adventures afforded us. Every day was packed with fascinating education, beautiful music, connection with the people, architecture and art, and so much good healthy food!"

    Melinda Soules
    Lewis & Clark College Tour

  • "Five star all the way. Superb planning, timing and interests. Great leaders, lectures, sights, food, hotels experiences and transportation. Cannot imagine a better introduction and understanding of Cuba than we were able to attain from this travel opportunity. The other travelers in the program were an integral part of making the tour such a memorable experience. Thank you!"

    Loren Rice
    Lewis & Clark College Tour

  • "This trip to Cuba was honestly the best travel experience I've ever had. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, the activities were all amazing, and the leaders were beyond expectations. I can't recommend this tour enough. It was a great honor to participate in this once in a lifetime adventure. Thank you Sage, Freddie, and Ginger!!"

    Kathleen Elliot
    Oberlin College Tour