La Nueva Estudiantina -

La Nueva Estudiantina is a project founded by flutist José Fernando Ramírez, M.M., with the goal of rediscovering and promoting Colombia’s musical heritage for estudiantina ensembles. Through research and interpretation of historical works preserved in Colombian archives, the project aims to revive and share this rich cultural tradition with contemporary audiences.

Members

José Ramírez

Is the founder, leader, flutist, and director of La Nueva Estudiantina. He is currently pursuing PhD and DMA degrees at West Virginia University, where he has distinguished himself as both an accomplished musician and scholar. He has won multiple competitions and scholarships, including the WVU Chancellor’s Scholar Fellowship award, and in Spring 2026, he was honored with the CERF Research Award for his scholarly work.

Ethan Powers

Is the current bassist for La Nueva Estudiantina but is also a freelance cellist, trombonist, and occasional keyboardist. Born and raised in West Virginia, he has spent many years in and out of Morgantown, WV after moving from his hometown of Parkersburg to study at West Virginia University’s School of Music and is particularly active in local jazz performances and projects. While he has a classical upbringing in cello which he further cultivated during his Bachelor’s in Music at WVU, he has always most enjoyed improvised music and took up the bass during his undergrad to eventually study in William Paterson University of New Jersey’s Master’s in Jazz Studies and Performance program. He is currently back in Morgantown after spending several years living in northern New Jersey and hopes to see you at one of La Nueva Estudiantina’s performances this season!

Estiven Sepúlveda García

A professional passionate about the intersection of technology and music research, he has published articles in La Piragua magazine regarding film scoring and the development of the Andean bandola as a virtual instrument for the Decent Sampler engine. As a founding member of La Nueva Estudiantina (established in 2019), he has participated in numerous concerts and research projects, in addition to co-authoring the book Tejiendo nuestra historia and overseeing the ensemble’s audio and video production.

Mauricio Garcés

Received his degree in music in 2022 from the Fundación Universitaria Bellas Artes, with a focus on classical guitar. He has been a member of various musical groups, including chamber ensembles, guitar orchestras, and student bands. He has also performed as a soloist at various venues throughout the city. Mauricio has shown a strong inclination toward composing songs and instrumental works set to the typical rhythms of Colombian Andean music, notably his first EP-style release titled “Canto y Olvido.” He has also composed the suite “Tres escenas antioqueñas,” the bambuco “Bambuco para un final” for two violins and guitar, and the pasillo “Darío” for estudiantina.

Eduardo Caicedo

Is a flutist and tiple player deeply connected to Colombian traditional music, with notable participation in important Traditional Colombian music festivals. Although his primary instrument is the flute, the tiple holds a fundamental role in his artistic development, serving as his second instrument and a meaningful connection to his cultural roots.

He currently resides in Chicago, where he continues to develop his musical and artistic work.

Natalia Serna

Is a flutist and wind instrument repair technician originally from Colombia and currently based in Chicago. She is part of La Nueva Estudiantina, where she manages the group’s social media and supports the promotion of its artistic and cultural identity through digital platforms.

2026 -

This phase of the project is focused on expanding La Nueva Estudiantina’s international presence and reaching new audiences beyond Colombia. Through a series of performances, educational activities, and cultural exchanges, the ensemble seeks to share Colombian musical traditions with diverse communities abroad while fostering meaningful artistic collaborations. A central component of this effort is a tour in the United States, which will provide opportunities to present the ensemble’s work in concert venues, universities, and community spaces. By engaging international audiences, the project aims to strengthen cultural understanding, increase the visibility of Colombian musical heritage, and position La Nueva Estudiantina as an important ambassador of contemporary Colombian artistic expression.

2020 - 2026

Project I
This is the Sound of Our Heritage

During this period, the ensemble focused primarily on performances in Colombia, concentrating its musical activities in Medellín and neighboring towns. A central aspect of the group’s mission was the exploration of archival collections at the library of Universidad EAFIT, with a particular emphasis on researching, digitizing, and revitalizing lesser-known and previously unpublished works from the Colombian musical repertoire.

Under the leadership of José Ramírez, with the support of Estiven Sepúlveda and Antonia Mejía, the ensemble’s research and artistic work gained recognition within academic and cultural circles. Their efforts attracted the attention of the publishing house of Universidad EAFIT, which is collaborating with the group on the publication of a book scheduled for release in 2026, documenting and sharing the results of this important preservation project.