By Sara Morales
From October 11th to 18th, we had the incredible opportunity to travel to North Carolina to participate in the LEAF Festival at Lake Eden. This trip was more than a performance—it was a week of cultural exchange, teaching, learning, and sharing music with people from around the world.
We worked alongside fellow teachers from LEAF-supported programs: Chiny from Costa Rica, Khaki from Tanzania, Dominique from Haiti, and Ashley and myself from Guatemala. Together we formed a LEAF International ensemble, preparing a collaborative performance for the festival’s 30th anniversary and offering workshops at Odyssey Community School.
Teaching at Odyssey School
During our stay, we lived with Agustín, a music teacher at Odyssey, whose home includes a fully-equipped music studio—an ideal space for rehearsals, creativity, and planning.
Each morning, we taught music classes to Odyssey students. We introduced rhythms using African djembes, selecting drums by their timbre and guiding students through patterns full of energy and tradition. Along with the rhythms, we taught two songs—Ibo and Tupendani—which the students later performed at the festival. Their final presentation took place on Saturday, October 18th, and watching them shine on stage was one of the week’s proudest moments.
A Night to Remember at LEAF Festival
Our main performance took place on Friday, October 17th, on LEAF’s Main Stage from 5:45 to 6:45 PM. For me, it was an unforgettable experience.
The stage is massive, and the crowd was larger than anything I had ever faced before. At first, I felt intimidated—but as soon as the music began, the nerves disappeared. What remained was pure joy.
Musicians from Costa Rica, Haiti, and Tanzania brought rhythm and movement. We from Guatemala brought melody and softness. Together, our music blended into something beautiful—a tapestry of cultures that honored our differences and celebrated our unity.
I found myself admiring each of my bandmates even more deeply:
- Ashley, with her warmth and charm, adds a gentle sweetness to every song she sings.
- Chiny, full of life, possesses extraordinary talent—especially in percussion—and a voice that creates harmonies like nothing I’ve heard before.
- Dominique, from Haiti, has a unique gift with drums. He can make his instrument roar, whisper, or weep. He taught me that a drum is not something you simply strike—it is something you coax sound from.
- Khaki, always smiling, is both a great musician and an exceptional dancer. His kindness and willingness to help made every moment easier.
Exploring Asheville
Outside our performances, we were able to explore some of Asheville’s most iconic places. One highlight was visiting the Biltmore House—an enormous estate filled with art, history, and, impressively, music. The house contains a grand pipe organ and several pianos, showing how important music was to the people who lived there. We also enjoyed the incredible gardens and a fascinating exhibit on the treasures of Tutankhamun.
Staying the week with Senderos
After the festival, we stayed an additional week.
Throughout our visit, Sarah Robinson accompanied us with generosity and care. We stayed in the home of Tripp and Beth Aiton Anderson, a loving and welcoming family who made us feel completely at home.
Asheville’s mountains were breathtaking at this time of year, full of autumn colors. We visited the Presbyterian Church, where Sarah spoke about Senderos’ upcoming trip to Guatemala. Hearing her speak so knowledgeably and lovingly about our country filled me with pride.
We also visited Presbyterian College in South Carolina, where Sarah had studied. She gave a talk about Guatemala and the work she is doing there. The students were very curious and engaged, and seeing their interest made me proud of both Sarah and my country. Although she told us it was a small university, everything we saw—from the auditorium to the percussion instruments to the science labs—felt like a dream.
A Trip Filled With Meaning
Our time at LEAF and in Asheville was unforgettable. We connected with people from all over the world, shared our music, learned from others, and represented Guatemala with pride.
LEAF and Senderos not only support music—they support hope, cultural exchange, and the belief that art can change lives. For us, this trip was meaningful, inspiring, and full of joy.
We return home with new ideas, new friendships, and hearts full of gratitude for every moment.
