Punta Cana. — The Punta Cana System, a social music education program led by the Fundación para la Expansión Artística y Cultural de Punta Cana (FUNEYCA PC), is set to welcome 100 additional children into its orchestra training initiative starting August 18. The expansion brings the program closer to its goal of reaching 250 participants by the end of 2025.
“We concluded the 2024–2025 academic year with 148 students from the Verón community. Now, with a team of accomplished orchestra directors, top-tier instructors, and dedicated collaborators, we are focused on meeting this milestone,” said Romina Aschpurwis, director of the foundation.
In just five years, El Sistema Punta Cana has become a flagship initiative in the region, nurturing the musical talent of children and adolescents, particularly in Verón—an area experiencing rapid population growth but limited access to educational and cultural programs.
Backed by local and international partners, the program delivered over 1,500 hours of music instruction in 2024 alone to students aged 7 to 17. It boasts a 75% retention rate and 20% parental involvement. That same year, it also held 15 public performances and events, and hosted 20 specialized workshops led by renowned musicians and educators.
“As we continue to grow, we’re actively seeking more partners who believe in music as a tool for personal development and social change,” added Aschpurwis.
Music classes and rehearsals typically take place on weekday afternoons from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday mornings. Notably, for Mother’s Day in May 2025, the youth orchestra and choir performed before a large audience at Punta Cana Village, an event supported by Grupo Punta Cana. Francesca Rainieri praised the initiative for “engaging Dominican youth in positive, enriching activities.”
“What makes us proud is that one out of every two students comes from public schools,” Aschpurwis emphasized. “We’re making music education accessible to those who might never have the opportunity otherwise—through a system that integrates choir and symphonic orchestra models, inspired by the global vision of Venezuelan maestro José Antonio Abreu.”
