Discover how Noble and Greenough School and The Rivers School from Massachusetts embarked on an inspiring journey to Cuba, offering their music students immersive workshops, cultural exploration, and transformative musical collaborations.
In 2022, Alandis worked with Paul Lieberman, director of Wind and Jazz Ensembles at Noble and Greenough School, to arrange a specialized educational trip to Cuba. The program included four music classes with a professional Cuban musician, as well as a walking tour in Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba, with visits to key cultural and musical sites. Highlights included:
Following the success of this program (which Paul wrote about here), Paul Lieberman teamed up with Philippe Crettien, in charge of the jazz ensembles at The Rivers School, to bring a group of students from both schools to Cuba in 2024 for an even more immersive experience.
Students were immersed in Cuba’s rich musical history, from son cubano to contemporary Afro-Cuban jazz. The trip allowed them to understand Cuba's profound impact on global music, especially jazz.
The program included workshops with Cuban musicians, where students learned Afro-Cuban music techniques. They participated in lectures on Cuba’s history through music and had a unique opportunity to perform with students at the Cuban Conservatory in Havana.
Beyond music, the trip also exposed students to Cuba’s rich history, architecture, and daily life, deepening their understanding of the country’s social and cultural landscape.
Students faced challenges that promoted creativity, collaboration, and self-expression. The experience of improvising and performing in a different cultural setting helped them expand their personal and musical growth.
The program encouraged teamwork between students from different schools, fostering unity through shared learning and cultural exchange.
Despite clear objectives, the trip posed certain challenges:
Managing the logistics of a large group—transportation, accommodation, and meals—was a challenge, especially in a dynamic country like Cuba. Alandis ensured that all details were organized and communicated clearly.
The schools had slightly different objectives, so Alandis maintained open communication with both school leaders to ensure alignment and mutual understanding of the program's goals.
Combining students from two schools meant differing group dynamics. Alandis facilitated inclusive activities to build cohesion and foster teamwork.
With the complexities of traveling in Cuba, Alandis prioritized safety, ensuring contingency plans were in place for any emergencies.
Through meticulous planning and collaboration with local Cuban musicians and guides, Alandis Travel designed a program that effectively addressed these challenges.
The result? A transformative musical journey that transcended the boundaries of traditional classroom learning.
Educational Goals: The trip aimed to enrich the students’ education, exposing them to a variety of cultural and musical influences and providing transformative learning experiences that extended beyond the classroom.
Alandis designed a customized high school educational travel program to meet the unique needs of Noble and Greenough and The Rivers schools.
The trip seamlessly integrated Cuban music and culture, featuring workshops, masterclasses, and performances to foster both musical proficiency and cultural understanding.
By collaborating closely with both schools, Alandis successfully managed logistical challenges, handling travel, accommodations, and communication with precision. The dynamic environment of Cuba required flexible scheduling, which was skillfully executed for a smooth and engaging experience.
Students delved into Cuba's rich history and vibrant cultural heritage, with a particular focus on how Cuban music has influenced global jazz.
Students engaged in hands-on workshops, masterclasses, and collaborative rehearsals with Cuban musicians, gaining real-world experience in Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz performance techniques.
Students engaged in immersive sessions with Cuban musicians, learning about Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz techniques, and more.
Students explored iconic locations such as Havana’s Fabrica de Arte Cubano and Santiago’s Caribbean House, immersing themselves in Cuba’s vibrant art, architecture, and historical landmarks that showcase the country’s unique cultural identity.
Students participated in a collaborative performance with local conservatory musicians, an unforgettable highlight of the trip. This unique experience allowed them to demonstrate their musical growth, hone their improvisational skills, and foster a deeper connection with Cuban music culture through shared creativity and artistry.
of students felt more confident in their musical abilities after the trip.
of participants felt they gained a deeper understanding of Cuban culture.
Students developed enhanced proficiency in jazz and Afro-Cuban music, gaining a deeper understanding of rhythmic patterns, improvisational techniques, and the cultural roots that shape these musical styles.
Students gained a deeper appreciation for Cuban history, culture, and social dynamics, fostering a more profound connection to the country’s rich heritage and way of life.
Strengthened teamwork between students of different schools, fostering unity through shared musical experiences and cross-cultural learning.
Throughout the trip, students felt secure knowing they received attentive care from both their host families and Alandis Travel's team during any health issues or emergencies. This reassurance was crucial in mitigating anxiety and ensuring a supportive environment, especially within unfamiliar surroundings.
More on Alandis Safety Protocol
I first used Alandis for a ten-day solo professional development trip to Cuba relating to my quirky interests in the African roots of cultures and music in the countries of the New World in July of 2022.
They organized an incredibly well-designed itinerary, including private lessons and visits to significant cultural, historical, and musical sites. My guides in Havana and Santiago de Cuba were college professors with master’s degrees in History or Art History who could answer all of my questions with a remarkable breadth and depth of knowledge and experience. They were both delightful and entertaining companions at the same time.
Laura (in the Seville office) and Dalila (on the ground in Havana) provided extraordinary customer service at every step of the process—from rapid and thoughtful responsiveness during months of planning to immediate service and pivots day and night as things unfolded.
Building on that individual experience, a colleague from another school and I organized a high-school jazz band trip in March of 2024 for 37 students. I had complete confidence in Alandis based on my previous experience. Yet, they still exceeded my expectations working together on planning and executing this much larger and more complex project.
Laura in Seville and Dalila and her crew on the ground in Havana—including tour guides and bus drivers—did a fantastic job with the initial planning and—even more impressively—with the inevitable adjustments that have to be made with a group of this size, due to health emergencies and other unforeseeable events. The contacts that Alandis leveraged—with Cuba’s educational system and arts organizations and venues—were all top-notch, and our students resoundingly rated the exchange experiences—rehearsing, performing, and recording—with their Cuban peers as the best part of a program that they all said they would highly recommend to future students.
The food and accommodations were excellent, and I’ve returned from both trips with new friends for life from Alandis’ outstanding team. Highest Possible Recommendation!
“This experience was a life-changing opportunity to connect with the roots of jazz, while learning from Cuban musicians and culture.”
Students and faculty reported immense satisfaction with the trip. They expressed how their musical techniques improved and how the cultural exposure changed their perspectives on the world.
For more information on customizing a transformative educational trip for your school, contact us through our website or email us directly at [email protected]. Let us help you design an unforgettable learning experience for your students!
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