Roni Ben-Hur

We can't get to Havana, so I'm bringing Havana to us.

The same Cuban musicians I've worked with in past years are flying to Mexico, and we're going to spend eight days together in Oaxaca City: ensembles, masterclasses, jam sessions, and, of course, the music we came for. The teaching won't change. The city will.

Our musician friends in Havana have been struggling to keep going through a relentlessly difficult time in Cuba, with blackouts, shortages, illness, and very limited opportunities for work. This camp is a chance for us to learn from these extraordinary musicians while giving them a welcome break from the pressures of daily life in Havana. I've invited them to bring their spouses as well, so they can share the experience and enjoy a much-needed reprieve together.

I visited Oaxaca this fall to arrange our trip, and I immediately fell in love with the magic of this beautiful city. It is one of the most enchanting places I've ever visited (and I've traveled quite a bit). The ancient cultures of the Zapotec, Mixtec, and other Indigenous peoples are still very much alive there. Indigenous communities have preserved their ways of life, art, music, food, languages, and traditions. Being in Oaxaca feels like stepping into a world unlike any other. The people are lovely and welcoming. The arts and crafts are beautiful (so make sure to leave some room in your suitcase for the treasures you'll want to bring home!), and the food is simply beyond description.

We'll be a small group, spending our days immersed in Cuban music and exploring one of Mexico's most remarkable cities.