“I used to see music as a hobby, but today I see it as a tool for expression and self-improvement,” explains Roberto Capellán, a graduate of Fe y Alegría República Dominicana’s Music for Social Change program. “I am living proof and a witness that this project, through art and education, transforms lives.”
Roberto grew up in Los Frailes, a neighborhood in Santo Domingo Este where young people often face barriers to creative expression, personal development, and social inclusion. In communities where families struggle with economic hardship, opportunities for artistic education are rare. Yet it was here that Roberto first picked up a clarinet. His participation in Fe y Alegría’s music program would shape the direction of his life.
Fe y Alegría República Dominicana launched the program in 2011 to expand access to high-quality orchestral music education for children and adolescents living in underserved communities. Today, the initiative operates in 16 educational centers across the country, reaching more than 587 students between the ages of 10 and 17. Through structured music training, students learn instruments, participate in ensembles, and perform in concerts while developing discipline, teamwork, and confidence.
Roberto attended one of these centers, the Centro Educativo La Inmaculada in Los Frailes. In addition to receiving a quality, inclusive education with Fe y Alegría, the music program offered him access to instruments, professional music instructors, and opportunities to perform publicly—experiences that are often out of reach for young people in marginalized communities.
“What motivated me to participate was my love for music and the opportunity to grow both artistically and personally,” Roberto says. “The project not only gave me a space to learn how to play the clarinet, but it also instilled values such as perseverance and teamwork, which have been fundamental to my growth.”
Over time, what began as curiosity developed into dedication and discipline. Hours of practice, mentorship from instructors, and the encouragement of fellow students helped Roberto discover his potential. Music became more than an extracurricular activity; it became a pathway toward opportunity.
That journey recently reached an extraordinary milestone. Roberto was admitted to the National Conservatory of Music of the Dominican Republic, one of the country’s most prestigious institutions for professional music training. He also earned a scholarship to participate in the Siman Orchestral Foundation (SIMANOF) 2024 Tour in Germany, performing alongside young musicians from around the world. The following year, he performed in New York City as part of the Simanof 2025 tour and placed third in an international youth music competition.
Despite these remarkable achievements, Roberto remains grounded when reflecting on what the program has meant for his life.
“On a personal level, the most significant change has been my self-confidence,” he says. “Fe y Alegría creates opportunities and opens paths where there once seemed to be none. Its impact goes beyond music and is also reflected in the personal formation of each participant.”
Roberto’s story is just one example of the broader impact of Fe y Alegría’s music education initiatives. In communities where opportunity can feel limited, programs like Music for Social Change provide young people with more than musical training. They offer a sense of belonging, discipline, and hope.
For Roberto, the clarinet was not simply an instrument—it was the beginning of a new future.
