“If I hadn’t participated in FEMUSC, I wouldn’t be where I am today”, says musician Juan Avendaño, a doctoral student in the USA, who credits the festival with the basis to reach one of the most prestigious stages in the world; The 20th edition of the event runs until January 25th.
Colombian pianist Juan Avendaño says he saw his musical trajectory transform from the Santa Catarina International Music Festival, O  FEMUSC. His first international experience took place in 2012, when he joined the event to improve his pianistic technique. More than a decade later, he won the right to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York (USA) by winning an international contest.
“Looking back, I truly believe that if I had not participated in FEMUSC, I would not be where I am today – studying with an incredible teacher in the United States, with a full scholarship”, says Avendaño. Colobiano is a student of Alexandre Dossin, professor at Femusc. “The festival opened doors for me, inspired me and gave me the tools to grow as a musician, adds the musician.
The victory in the international contest guaranteed him a solo performance at Carnegie Hall at the end of 2024. “Touching the Carnegie was a dream I never imagined achieving. unforgettable, and I hope to have the chance to do it again.”
The pianist points out that Femusc was the turning point that made him see a future beyond Colombia. “It was there that I understood the level of excellence necessary to build an international career and I made the decision to study abroad.”
“His trajectory reflects the transforming impact of Femusc. luckily another success story, says Professor Dossin. I met Juan more than 10 years ago at the festival, when he had recently started his piano studies”, recalls the Professor, who currently guides Juan’s doctorate at the University of Oregon (USA).
Since his first participation in the intermediate level in 2012, Juan returned several times to the festival, always advancing at his technical level. “As a young pianist, I was delighted with the musicality around me and motivated to grow. Over the years, I returned to FEMUSC at more advanced levels and even took my brother, who is also a pianist and today studies in Michigan, so that he could experience this experience transforming.”
now EM  2025, Juan will complete his doctorate in musical arts, with a specialization in pianistic performance focused on Colombian music, especially in Pasillo – an emblematic genre of the country. Like his teacher, Juan also aims for an academic career. “My goal is to become a piano teacher in higher education, where I can share my experiences, guide students and continue growing as an interpreter and educator.”
“Femusc is a unique place for musical growth – it offers a welcoming atmosphere, incredible teachers, inspiring colleagues and a wonderful atmosphere”, concludes Juan, who maintains friendships made for years at the festival. “In addition, I connected with people from the communities of Santa Catarina and Jaraguá do Sul, who were not musicians, but shared the energy and heat of the event.”
FEMUSC 2025 PROGRAMMING
The complete schedule and photos of this edition of the festival are available on the official website: www.femusc.com.br. The daily schedule and highlights can be followed through the profile @femusc, on Instagram.
follow on youtube
The Great Concerts Series and Springmann Moment, from FEMUSC 2025, are being broadcast daily Live, at 7 pm, and at 8:30 pm, on the official YouTube channel (youtube.com/femcoficial). The concert videos will also be available on the platform after the event, expanding virtual access to the largest classical music festival-school in Latin America.
about FEMUSC
Through the Culture Incentive Law (Rouanet Law), Ministry of Culture and the Federal Government, FEMUSC is sponsored by the companies WEG, Rede Itaú, Grupo Elian, BTG Pactual, Duas Rodas, Martinelli Advogados and Zanotti, and the support of the companies Agricopel, Auto Elite, Urbano Alimentos, WPA, UniSociesc and IFSC Santa Catarina – Campus Jaraguá do Sul – Centro – Santa Catarina. FEMUSC is organized by SCAR – Cultural Center, Instituto Femusc and City Hall of Jaraguá do Sul.
