Music is Medicine

By Chase Cofield

Every weekend, the streets of San Cristóbal fill with the sounds of DJs’ and musicians playing traditional Latin dance music for both tourists and locals. But while music is a key to the culture of the island, there are very few opportunities for music education in the public school system.

Alvita Campués, 44, wants to share her musical knowledge with the island. Campués started teaching in 2009 through the school she founded, El Centro de Artes el Gran Artista. Before teaching music, Alvita was a public school teacher on the island. In a Catholic school classroom above a hardware store, she teaches students how to sing, play the guitar, violin, and piano.

Outside music lessons, El Gran Artista provides music therapy for children with special needs on the island. For Campués, music isn’t just an occupation; it’s a form of therapy. “Music is medicine for me,” she said.

Alvita Campués is a music teacher and founder of the music academy El Centro de Artes el Gran Artista in San Cristóbal.

Alvita Campués is a music teacher and founder of the music academy El Centro de Artes el Gran Artista in San Cristóbal. Campués provides lessons on singing and how to play the guitar, piano, and violin. The school also has programs on the neighboring island of Santa Cruz.

Campués holds a spiderman toy and plays with one of her students

In between piano lessons, Campués keeps a playful attitude with one of her pupils. Campués teaches lessons daily at El Gran Artista. At her school, Campués practices the Suzuki method, which is the belief that musical talent is not a natural talent, but nurtured. “I always talk about the Suzuki methodology, because it is the best methodology of love,” Campués said.

In addition to being a music teacher, Campués pushes for the importance  of arts on the island. On an early Tuesday morning, Campués makes her way to the mayor’s office to discuss with Mayor Henry Cobos about the budget for cultural purposes for the year.

Campués, wearing sunglasses, waves to the distance

Aguas is the co-producer of the first environmental law in the country of Ecuador. He is also the author of a proposal for the decentralization of the State and social participation in the processes of state management in the Galápagos Islands. “Nature requires that society have a conscience so that it can be maintained and let's say eternally for generations to come,” said Aguas, “that is why we continue where we would like the new generations to take on the challenge of promoting these discussions, these debates that allow us to have an adequate, different model and that guarantees that the lagoon will be in conscientious form.”

Mayor Cobos meets with Mariuxi Jon Jones and sits at a table with her

At the mayor's office, Mayor Cobos is too busy to meet with Campués. Instead she meets with Mariuxi Jon Jones, the director of tourism and culture for San Cristóbal. At the meeting, they discuss the space musicians need to perform on the island.

In between errands, Campués hugs and embraces a friend of hers.

In between errands, Campués hugs and embraces a friend of hers.

Campués washes dishes after preparing breakfast for herself. Campués lives alone but her daughter, Juliana Villagómez has followed in her footsteps as a music teacher in Santa Cruz.

Campués washes dishes after preparing breakfast for herself. Campués lives alone but her daughter, Juliana Villagómez, has followed in her footsteps as a music teacher in Santa Cruz.

Campués walks outside in a purple jacket next to the road

After a long day of meetings and lessons, Campués wakes up early to start her routine. That includes an early morning jog to and from town. “When they do events here in the community, they want artists to perform their music, play an instrument for free,” Campués said. “We've made proposals to change certain situations because we want to present art as a profession, as a career."

Campués sits on the edge of a couch and puts on heels

Campués is always on the move. She moves from one errand to another; constantly balancing her role as an educator and member of the community.

Campués does choir practice at Iglesia Adventista de San Cristóbal Galapagos

Campués brings music in multiple aspects of her life, including her faith. Campués does choir practice at Iglesia Adventista de San Cristóbal Galapagos every weekday evening.

After choir rehearsal, Campués takes a moment of silence to pray.

After choir rehearsal, Campués takes a moment of silence to pray.

Campués heads to El Centro de Artes el Gran Artista to teach afternoon lessons. Campués rents out classrooms in a Catholic school situated above a hardware store next to a barbershop. “This year we have presented a project to the Casa de la Cultura to be able to open this area with cheaper access and cost to attract students,” Campués said.

Campués heads to El Centro de Artes el Gran Artista to teach afternoon lessons.

Aguas is the co-producer of the first environmental law in the country of Ecuador. He is also the author of a proposal for the decentralization of the State and social participation in the processes of state management in the Galápagos Islands. “Nature requires that society have a conscience so that it can be maintained and let's say eternally for generations to come,” said Aguas, “that is why we continue where we would like the new generations to take on the challenge of promoting these discussions, these debates that allow us to have an adequate, different model and that guarantees that the lagoon will be in conscientious form.”

Campués and a group of students sit in a circle during a class. One of the students holds a guitar

After giving one-on-one lessons with students, Campués rounds up the students to practice and perform a song they've been rehearsing. Campués notes that some students show advancement in certain instruments due to having at home access. “With children who don't have [instruments], they're left there with the content,” Campués said.

Campués sweeps the hallway after rehearsal takes place.

Campués sweeps the hallway after rehearsal takes place.

Campués emerges from the water at La Playa Mann after an early morning swim ready to take on the day as a teacher and citizen of San Cristóbal.

Campués emerges from the water at La Playa Mann after an early morning swim ready to take on the day as a teacher and citizen of San Cristóbal. “I have 25 years as an educator here in the community and that has earned us [El Gran Artista] the trust of the parents and the authorities,” Campués said.

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