Three Double Basses and a Cello: The Story of the Higuita Family

There are stories that remind us why we do what we do.

One of these stories is that of Marli Yulieth, 13; Luisa María, 14; Edwin, 15; and Juan Pablo, 16. Four siblings who attend high school at Antonio María Bedoya Educational Institution in Bello, Antioquia, and who, approximately two years ago, joined the Amadeus Music School to transform their surroundings and, along the way, transform us and fill us with invaluable lessons.

Yulieth, Luisa, and Juan Pablo play the double bass. Edwin plays the cello. For those familiar with music education, taking on large-format instruments at an early age is no small task. The double bass and cello present physical and technical challenges that lead many to give up. When these four siblings timidly walked through Amadeus' doors for the first time, we did not hesitate for a second to welcome them. In a short time, their technical progress on their instruments has been extraordinary, as has the development of their inner strength.

Cultivating Genius for Life

At Amadeus, we hold an unwavering conviction: musical practice is not an end in itself, but a powerful tool for the integral development of the human being. We do not seek to impose music as an obligatory professional path, but rather as a bridge to cultivate self-confidence, self-esteem, mindfulness, empathy, resilience, and social responsibility.

Edwin has shared with us on several occasions that he dreams of becoming an architect. While he decides which path to follow, his cello and orchestra will help him develop discipline, patience, and creativity—the foundations upon which he will build his own life projects, whether within or beyond music.

In this inspiring story of the Higuita family, Sonia, their mother, and Rosa, their aunt, play an essential role, as does the invaluable support of their extended family in the United States and their older siblings, Margarita and Sebastián.

None of this happens in isolation. It is the result of a joint effort between the family, Fundación Pan Nuestro, Antonio María Bedoya School—which has been an ally for more than 11 years—and Amadeus. This union between the community, the school, and the home reaffirms that accompanying young people in their journey of self-discovery and preparing them to step into the world requires an entire community committed to creating opportunities for their integral development.

Being part of the music school, maintaining strong academic performance, and fulfilling responsibilities at home requires dedication and high levels of perseverance. Today, we applaud the discipline with which our students pick up their instruments every day to study, rehearse, and grow through the orchestra, but also to dream big, take on challenges, overcome obstacles, and prove to themselves what they are capable of achieving when they trust in their abilities.

They are living proof that when children and young people are given a healthy environment, free from violence and filled with love, respect, and opportunities, inner harmony, creativity, and leadership can flourish.

Marley, Luisa, Edwin, and Juan Pablo, as well as the hundreds of students we have, are not only cultivating their genius through music and for life; they have also become role models in their communities, bringing light and opening paths of hope for the generations that follow.