Learn About Us & Our Team
Movimiento Manglar is a Dutch-Colombian foundation run by musicians, providing talented Colombian kids from marginalised backgrounds the opportunity to learn & play music together. We provide the kids access to instruments, group and personalised music classes, and the opportunity to play and record their own music.
The name "Manglar" means mangrove delta. It is where the salt seawater meets the sweet river water, providing a unique "hybrid" world, a mix of ecosystems where new lifeforms emerge and feel at home despite the adverse, saline environment. This is also a metaphor for the musical and social fusion that Movimiento Manglar generates by providing kids from very different backgrounds with access to musical education, and - despite their sometimes very difficult lives - a testament to their beautiful art.
Our Story
Profesor Dario Eraso started teaching and playing music with marginalised kids and youths in Medellin around 2008. To leverage his impact, he partnered with local organisations such as Fundación Caminos and Angeles de Amor.
Over the years he developed a small team, and as such we experienced many interesting musical highlights, such as recording our own CD in 2012.
Some of the kids we worked with in the past, have become teachers themselves, and that way are still part of the "family". This is a testament of our philosophy of paying it forward, which we believe generates the most value, from within the communities we work with.
Our Impact
Through its projects, Manglar makes a positive impact by creating a space were kids can learn, create, and play music together, helping them develop important social and life-skills in the process. For example, singing and listening to music can improve a child's language and literacy skills, while playing a musical instrument can help a child develop their fine motor skills and coordination. Music can also be a great way for children to express their emotions and connect with others, which is important for their social and emotional development.
In short, music can be a powerful tool for supporting a child's overall growth and development.
Our Team
Our Team is the Backbone of everything we do
Dario Eraso - Co-founder, Teacher and Musical Director
From Colombia, Musician-composer with a Master's Degree in Education. Professor at the University of Antioquia, with 20 years of experience working with vulnerable populations and music.
Music has been my engine, my way of life, I decided to study music and I have dedicated myself to it since my childhood, I graduated as a music composer. Because of music I have traveled, I have lived in various places, I have met wonderful people, I have had the opportunity to express myself, to create, to dream, to help and to teach, both at an academic and more empirical level. In a country like Colombia it is not easy to follow the path of art, but I have never regretted following this path, through music I have confirmed the importance of being coherent, of following the heart.
Instruments: Piano, Electric Bass, Percussion, Trumpet, and more...
Derk Norde Co-Founder, Teacher and Operational Director
From the Netherlands, Entrepreneur and Musician with a master's degree in biology and environmental management. Co-founder of four companies and living and working in music and education in the city of Medellín since 2012.
"We teach children from different backgrounds and different levels to play music, in a playful way. Most of them have never had the opportunity to play an instrument before, and through the music project they can experience the joy and wonder of musical exploration, without pressure. The only thing we ask of our students is their commitment, and that they stick to some basic rules of the game, which also teaches them a little about responsibility and discipline, other virtues that will also help them move forward in life"
Instruments: Guitar, Bass, Violin, Voice.
Daniela Ibarra - Teacher at all our locations
Music has always been in my life and therefore my decision was to dedicate my life to it. My dedication to this branch of the arts is reflected in teaching, because my desire has always been to contribute to each musical training process. For this reason, I always want to use the best methodologies and study plans to achieve the proposed objectives, which benefit the musical training process of each student.
At Movimiento Manglar my role is to contribute to the musical training process of the children who are part of the foundation, more specifically I work as a teacher and workshop facilitator for basic musical training. I also teach saxophone and clarinet to the more advanced children. Not only from the musical, but from the being, where each child can develop their skills and abilities through their taste for music, and at the same time strengthen its values.
Instruments: Saxophone and Clarinet
Daniel Jaramillo - "Monitor" at Bello Oriente, Medellín
I have been a beneficiary of the caminos foundation since I was 11 years old. I started in the first project called "A Clockwork Orange", which was about soccer. At the foundation I met Professor Darío Eraso and along with him the music and the beautiful work he did. There I started playing drums and four years later I also learned to play guitar, bass and more percussion instruments.
At the beginning of 2022 I began to do tutorials with some colleagues who also had a good process and we took charge of giving the classes when the teacher was not there and in this way I began to learn a little more about music and how to work with young children. . Thanks to the foundation, many doors have been opened for me and I have had very good study and work opportunities and my idea is to continue with this beautiful project..
Instruments: Drums, Percussion and Guitar!
Andrés “Bugy” Muñoz - "Monitor" at Bello Oriente
I have been a beneficiary of Fundación Caminos since I was 12 years old. I dedicate myself to music: because it is what really moves me and motivates me to study and improve myself in that field.
Now my role at Movimiento Manglar is as a Musician in the main band and a student in the group. As a musician I try to perform in the best way and making music is always a great therapy for me.
Instruments: Guitar, Singing, Drums
Instruments: Guitar, Singing, Drums.
Mateo “El Abuelo” Gonzalez - "Monitor" at Bello Oriente
I am 14 years old, what I like the most about being a Monitor is seeing how children go from not knowing anything to being able to play like us, even much better.
I love playing music because it takes me away from the stress of daily life and makes me a better person!
Instruments: Electric Bass, Guitar
Camila Acevedo Botero - "Monitor" at Angeles de Amor Foundation, Carmen de Viboral
I am a monitor at the Angeles de Amor Foundation, where with Movimiento Manglar we support the musical training programs.
I like music because it is an opportunity to meet new people, to change the environment, to express the joy of being around advisors who are knowledgeable about music.
Instruments):
Instruments: Trumpet and Percussion
Maria de los Angeles Martinez Quintero - Monitor at Angeles de Amor, Carmen de Viboral
For me, music is an opportunity to dedicate and use my free time, it allows me to be more disciplined, I like to share my knowledge with other people, with music I have allowed myself to recognise my emotions.
Manglar Movement supports the Angeles de Amor Foundation, I am present as a monitor, allowing the processes of the girls who are starting their musical process and helping them along the way.
Instruments: Trombone, Piano, Percussion and Guitar
Sabine Bouwmeester - Social Media Manager
Despite not playing an instrument, I see the impact of learning to play an instrument. It makes kids more confident, it's good for their brain and motor skills, and moreover, kids learn social skills like listening better and they improve teamwork.. all super important!
My role at Movimiento Manglar team is to manage our social networks, I am in charge of the publications on Instagram and Facebook and also responsible for the newsletter.
Instrument(s): Camera and Keyboard!
