Costa Rica Musicians

THREE COSTA RICANS PERFORM IN THE VATICAN

Three residents of Costa Rica recently performed during a mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican, as part of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas.According to Gabriel Goñi, orchestra coordinator for Central America and the Caribbean, the Costa Rica contingent that participated in this important event were the flutist, María Pía Rodríguez, the trombonist Adrián Nájera, and Francés Jorge Mejía on the French horn.During their performance in the Vatican, the orchestra was accompanied by the Immaculate Conception Basilica Choir and three vocalists.The three Costa Ricans that performed have vast experience traveling abroad. For example, Rodríguez is a student of Michel Bellavance of the La chaux de Fonds Conservatory in Switzerland and has played in the Youth World Orchestra.Likewsie, Juan Nájera is currently studying at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois in the United States.Jorge Mejía is “one of the veterans” of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas. In addition, this artist is now the first French horn player in Colombia’s Symphony Orchestra.