Marisol Luna, the Venezuelan violinist who promotes integration through music

Marisol Luna, a 49-year-old violinist originally from Caracas, Venezuela, is determined to keep the music of her land alive. He found purpose in the Dominican Republic through his unwavering passion for music, after having to leave Venezuela in 2015 due to the economic situation.

“I believe that music can work miracles in many ways. In the social sphere, a musician understands that his instrument is an extension of his body and that music is the universal language. Music transmits emotions, happiness, calm, hope, and revives memories, which is beautiful,” he explained.

Training in The System

Marisol’s musical career began at age 12 when she joined the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela, known as “El Sistema.” This program, famous for its excellence in music education, has provided free training to more than one million Venezuelan children, through a network of youth orchestras that creates world-class professional musicians, many of whom now live abroad .

Later, the violinist became one of the 7.7 million migrants and refugees seeking a better future outside Venezuela. Today, she doesn’t know if she will ever be able to return to the place that formed her as an artist.

Marisol plays the violin with the Symphony Orchestra alongside Dominicans.

Music is a lifesaver

Marisol has found in her new home a platform to continue playing, using music as a powerful means to unite Venezuelan and Dominican musicians. For her, music is much more than notes on a piece of paper: it is a lifeline, a bridge that connects her to communities. “Music means everything to me,” he explains. “It was a bridge that saved my life. It has opened doors for my future and given me a voice that allows me to use my instrument to promote integration.”

Now he has joined 40 other El Sistema musicians from his hometown, Cantaura, to continue his musical career in the Dominican Republic. Her husband is an orchestra conductor, and her son plays the double bass, forming a musical family firmly committed to their craft. She teaches music to young children and, thanks to her regularization, performs with the National Symphony Orchestra alongside Dominican musicians.

Marisol’s story is a testament to the transformative power of music to foster integration and social change across borders, languages ​​and cultures. Her work as a musician and educator embodies El Sistema’s philosophy of inclusion and integration.