Dear friends, colleagues, and family,
I’m thrilled to share some joyful news: The Bachelor of Music in Musical Theater at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico has been officially approved and launched!
A few years ago, I had the great honor of being invited to design this program from the ground up. I studied top-tier models from the U.S. and abroad, developed the curriculum, course outlines, resource lists, faculty recommendations, and more. I also collaborated with incredible colleagues from Spain, Cuba, Mexico, the U.S., and Puerto Rico to create a rigorous 4-year program in acting, voice, and dance—entirely in Spanish.
This has been a true labor of love—almost like writing a second doctoral dissertation! I was deeply inspired by Leopoldo Santiago Lavandero, the Puerto Rican theater pioneer whose legacy shaped my artistic and academic path. I never imagined I would one day help create a program like this, just as he did decades ago.
Today, Puerto Rico proudly offers one of the only Spanish-language musical theater degree programs in Latin America—with high academic standards and strong cultural roots.
I’m immensely grateful to God, to the CMPR (Chancellor Dr. Manuel Calzada and Dean Dr. Helen González), and to everyone who supported this journey. Thank you for celebrating this milestone with me.
Here’s to a bold new chapter for musical theater in Puerto Rico!
With love,
Manuel
#MusicalTheater #HigherEd #PuertoRico #TheaterEducation #ArtsInEducation #LatinAmericanTheater #CMPR #SEA #Milestone #Gratitude #ArtsLeadership