WRITING

The purpose of this proposal is to suggest a local hero who has contributed significantly to
the society. My hero is a well-known artist in my community. I will give reasons of my personal
choice.

My choice
My choice is Juan Fernando Velasco, an Ecuadorian singer, who rescued from oblivion some
Ecuadorian traditional melodies for current generations. By betting for a turnaround in
musical production in Ecuador in the beginning of the twenty first century, he creatively used
his musical talent to introduce pasillos and other traditional styles to young people, who
otherwise could have never had appreciated them.
Before Juan Fernando Velasco appeared on the scene, traditional Ecuadorian music was
highly unpopular among young people. Since the beginning of Velasco’s career, he chose to
release albums of pasillo and romantic music, even though modern rhythms were the most
attractive genre for current generations and what people were listening at that time.
Nevertheless, his voice, his originality and passion for music open the door for new
generations to get to know such as striking but forgotten music.

Reasons for my choice

One of the most important reasons for my choice is that Velasco was an ordinary young man
who realized that he wanted to become a musician and against the musical trends of the time,
he got prepared fearlessly and found his place tirelessly.

I hope you consider this singer to grant the hero award, so that more young people could
know his music and consequently could know and appreciate our national music.