Jess Achon Villar, young Cuban violinist. . .

invitee of First Lady, Michelle Obama during historic visit to Cuba, awarded
a $30 000 by the Boston Conservatory at Berkleeshe needs an additional
$40,000!

Jess, third from left with First Lady Michelle Obama in Cuba, White House photo credit

Meet Jess Achon Villar

Twenty-one-year-old violinist, Jess Achn Villar was born in Habana, Cuba.

Throughout her lifetime, Jess has overcome obstacles and hurdles of

immense magnitude while able to pursue her dream of becoming a violinist

of brilliance and distinction. However, a very painful series of events starting

in 2013 and lasting until today, gave Jess a very agonizing and evocative view

of another world she had not lived before.

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 In 2013, Jess father decided to leave the familys 28-year relationship

because of an affair with another woman, unbeknownst to Jess and her

mother. He returned to his family after five months when his new par amour

decided that she did not want or need a relationship with him. This caused

her father to have a mental breakdown that lasted two years. During this

time Jess mother, Ana Maria, cared for him through all his ups and downs,

hospital and psychiatric visits, and seeking alternative healing methods for

his wellness. Once he gained his mental health back, he abruptly left the

family again, taking all the familys savings and numerous other important

family items that would have helped Jess and Ana Maria have a semblance

of family quality life.

During this period of tribulation and suffering, Jess faced not only the

loss of a present father, especially during her honor-filled high school

graduation awards ceremony, but she also became very ill. Due to her

mothers inability to purchase nourishing food, medication, needed

vitamins or supplements, Jess hemoglobin caused her fainting spells while

walking the streets of Havana. All that occurred between the years 2013 to

today would have annihilated any young person; but, for Jess, becoming a

world renowned violinist became her focus, aim, hope and heart. Her belief

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in her capacities and skills, the mentorship of many world-known violinists,

conductors, professional musicians, professors and friends made her walk

the road less travelled. Jess, recognizes that her mothers devotion and

commitment to her pursuing her dream as a violinist made an enormous

impact in her perseverance towards her personal goal.

This young woman started her music studies at the age of eight at the

Manuel Saumell Elementary Conservatory. Like most young people in Cuba,

Jess was not able to have her own instrument; therefore, the school lent

her one in an abysmal condition. Wanting to play desperately, Jess, made

sure her violin was restored, managing to make sure that throughout her

years at this school it was kept in tip-top shape! Perhaps for other young

persons the instruments condition would dissuade them from wanting to

play, but for Jess it had a different effect; it inspired and motivated her to

want to perform expertly.

Performing publicly became a way of life for Jess while also studying

full-time. During her elementary school years, she coordinated and

organized community social activities where she could play her violin for

children that were hospitalized or without parental protection. Jess played

her violin in many other school activities. As she became older, she

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participated in music competitions winning first and third places. As she

planned to enter high school, she auditioned at the Amado Roldan

Conservatory where she was accepted as a high school student with an

emphasis on music.

It was not until the age of 15 that Jess was able to own her instrument.

Being a student at the Roldan Conservatory was not a sure bet. The school

had an excellent reputation and a well-rounded academic curriculum.

Sandwiched between challenging high school courses that included music

courses, Jess was required to participate in musical school activities

attended by classmates and students from other schools. She also played

special performances within her schools community for organizations that

served vulnerable individuals. Throughout her high school years; it was not

rare to catch Jess playing chamber music, accompanying a symphony for a

ballet performance or on stage at an operatic festival. While still in high

school, one of Jessicas most exciting experiences was playing alongside

Concertmaster, Erin Keefe, of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra when

the orchestra performed in Cuba.

In 2015 Jess earned a Gold Diploma from Amado Roldan Conservatory,

graduating high school with top honors. Upon graduation, Jess applied to

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Indiana Universitys Jacobs School of Music. Her dream was to study with

Mauricio Fuks, Uruguayan pedagogue and violinist, listened to her play

when he gave many master classes in Cuba. He was to become her greatest

fan and mentor as Jess sought to pursue her musical career both in Cuba

and internationally.

Due to the many obstacles faced by all Cubans trying to fill-out, in this

case, university and government visa requirements of any kind online, which

is both expensive and slow, becomes defying. Although she was accepted,

despite all types of hindrances, she was not able to attend because she

could not raise needed funds in a timely manner to study at Indiana

University. She speaks highly and with a great deal of gratitude to famous

music pedagogue and violinist, Mauricio Fuks, who worked tirelessly to help

Jess through the arduous process of applying to a US university from Cuba.

Jessicas perseverance in being accepted to the university, paid off in

other ways. She created a relationship with the US Embassy; therefore,

being asked to perform for their guests and other activities. When

conductor Orbert Davis of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and four of his

musicians came to Cuba to perform his jazz compositions, Jess was selected

to play with this sixty-musician orchestra. A weeks rehearsal getting to

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know symphony members became one important highlight of Jessicas

performing career. She believes that the experience of playing with a full

symphony as well as with the accomplished musicians of the Chicago Jazz

Philharmonic enabled her to change the way she played music and inspired

her to play spontaneously and more naturally. A surprise that came as a

result of this encounter was that the symphony invited half of the Cuban

jazz students to play in Chicago. Jess was one of the students!

The biggest honour Jess has accepted, came from the US Embassy in

Cuba. She was selected to be one of ten girls to meet, greet and spend the

day with First Lady, Michelle Obama and her daughters, during President

Barak Obamas historical presidential visit to Cuba. For Jessica, sitting next

to Michelle along with her daughters, listening to President Obamas speech

became a one-in-a-lifetime experience that served to change her life. The

time Jess spent in conversation and dialogue with Michelle, her daughters

and the other girls, helped Jess become deeply aware that life was opening

windows and doors for her to take her musical career further! It was this

one-in-a-life-time experience that led her to apply to the Boston

Conservatory at Berklee. It took six-months for her to learn she was

accepted along with a $30 000 scholarship.