A 12-year-old Girl from the Ngäbe-Buglé Region Represented Panama at the Prestigious International Piano Festival

Panama City, Panama: Aymara Montero, a 12-year-old girl from the Ngäbe-Buglé region, was representing Panama at the prestigious “Pura Vida Piano Experience”, an international festival that brought together the most talented young pianists in the world that happened from July 5 to 14.  The first-year student at Benigno Tomás Argote School carried with her not only her exceptional talent, but also the hope of an entire community that sees in her an example that dreams can come true regardless of the circumstances.  According to MiCultura, Aymara’s story began when she was just 6 years old. Since then, she has practiced for three hours a day on a modest piano that, according to her teacher Carmen Alvarado, “although not the most suitable, has been her tool for dreaming big.” 

“Aymara not only has talent, she has a deep love for music that is felt in every note she plays,” says Alvarado, who holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Chile and a master’s degree in choral conducting from the United States.  It was learned that the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) and the Office of the First Lady made it possible for the young pianist to participate in an international competition for the first time, facing off against musicians from various countries in a festival that offers master classes, concerts, and personalized training with world-renowned artists.