On July 21, 2026, students and graduates from Longy School of Music, Berklee College of Music, and Bunker Hill Community College came together at Cambridge’s beloved Regattabar for an evening celebrating the music and culture of Venezuela. Music for Hope: Benefit for Venezuela was a project spearheaded by Sebastian Guerrero, MM 2024, GPD 2027, in response to the devastating earthquakes that ravaged Venezuela this summer.
Sebastian, taking Longy’s mission to heart, collaborated with staff and colleagues from Longy School of Music, as well as local organizations Casa Venezuela and The Boston Foundation, to promptly design a concert that would be meaningful to all who attended and create urgency and necessity to help the people of Venezuela. What began as a musical response to a moment of crisis became an evening of solidarity, bringing together musicians, students, alumni, and members of the Venezuelan community to support those affected by the disaster.
The evening featured meaningful performances of traditional Venezuelan folk songs, beloved popular songs from the country, and arrangements created by the performers themselves. The spirit of Venezuela was palpable throughout the room, with music serving as both a celebration of cultural heritage and a source of connection during a difficult time. Many of the Venezuelan attendees in the audience sang along, creating an especially moving exchange between performers and listeners. Through their artistry, the musicians demonstrated the power of music not only to preserve and share culture, but also to bring people together in support of a community in need.