This January will mark the 40th anniversary of the International Suzuki Music Festival in Lima. Starting out in the 1980’s with a handful of teachers and students, the Festival has expanded to many countries in Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay (celebrating 20 years in 2026!) Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela and growing! Often participants must go to great lengths to make the trek to this main center for teacher training in Lima where they receive the highest quality instruction. Many devoted participants have become teacher trainers themselves! Through this festival, the Suzuki philosophy has reached hundreds to thousands of people over the last 40 years, enhancing the quality of life and relationships, strengthening families, neighborhoods, villages and communities.  

The ability to afford travel to Lima was the main obstacle for many. The cost of airfare, bus fare and training fees does not always translate from city to town to village the way the language of music does! The most effective way I could make a difference was to start raising money so that any teacher or student who was interested in Dr. Suzuki’s philosophy could attend this wondrous event. Thus, my studio here in Berkeley, California, created a series of small events to kick off the fundraising. In 2002, we raised funds that contributed to a group effort which helped 32 teachers from six different countries. In 2003, we helped 34 teachers. In 2004, 44! We hosted small concerts, asked friends for donations, and shared recordings–manageable projects that would each raise a bit to help scholarship recipients. That was the humble beginning of the Latin America Scholarship Fund which exists to this day. 

Since then, the Festival and the scholarship effort has grown. In 2025, 78 students and 67 teachers received scholarships. The need for assistance is so great that a fund specifically designed to help attendance to the conference in Lima has been created:  The Peru Festival Scholarship Fund. The goal for the celebratory 40th Anniversary festival in 2026 is to raise $30,000 to help primarily with scholarships for teachers and students as well as travel and special 40th anniversary events.

We are lucky in our profession to prioritize Dr. Suzuki’s idea: “beautiful tone, beautiful heart.”  Our families are invested in their childrens’ musical education to create excellent citizens as well as wonderful musicians. Sharing this philosophy allows us to easily come together using our music for a good cause.  

We invite you to join our outreach project for the 40th anniversary Peru Scholarship Festival Fund:  HOLA!  Hands Out to Latin America! 

-Rebecca Boblak