Location: GUATEMALA
The Project
The Voces del Lago Community Chorus project brought together a group of mostly indigenous Mayan youth in Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala, with the aim of using choral music to spark intercultural connection. What began as a year-long experiment in musical collaboration quickly expanded into a powerful platform for cultural expression and community building. With over 14 performances in places like Comalapa, Antigua, and Guatemala City, the chorus offered audiences not just music, but a vibrant expression of Mayan identity and creativity.
“Every time we sang,” said one of the chorus members, “we weren’t just performing, we were showing the world who we are.”
The Impact of the Seed Grant
The Pollination Project grant played a pivotal role in enabling the group to extend its reach beyond their local community. Grant funds were used to cover transportation costs to key performances, including a major choral festival in Comalapa and a holiday concert in Guatemala City. The highlight of the year was a performance at Casa Santo Domingo in Antigua, where the chorus sang before an audience of more than 500 Rotary Club members from across Latin America.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of The Pollination Project,” said Kathleen Glynn, the project lead. “The young people were able to see a wider world, and more importantly, they were seen by others who might never have heard Mayan voices lifted in song.”
The chorus also grew in numbers and visibility, with their performances broadcast on local television and their confidence growing with each concert.
The Future
Voces del Lago is now formalizing its structure by creating a legal association to sustain and expand its work. The program has introduced violin classes to a multi-generational group of students, and continues to alternate between musical training and chorus practice each week. Upcoming concerts include one in Panajachel and a potential performance at the Mexican Embassy in Guatemala City. There are even hopes of traveling internationally.
“This is just the beginning,” Kathleen shared. “We’re growing stronger every day, and the music continues to bring us together in ways we never imagined.”
“ We are so grateful that The Pollination Project provided the funds which allowed Voces del Lago to travel beyond the limits of our small, isolated mountain villages in the western highlands. With your help, we were able to reach a much broader audience. Our young people have made many connections and have increased their activities as world citizens. It is a perfect example of how a small seed grant can change the lives of its recipients in a positive way.“
Kathleen Glynn
Kathleen Glynn is a dedicated community leader and lifelong music enthusiast who has been a member of Coro Voces del Lago since its beginnings in October 2022, when the group had just six singers. Today, the chorus has grown to over 30 members and meets weekly at her home, Casa Frida Kahlo, in Panajachel. Kathleen grew up in a large family where music was a daily part of life, with shared moments around the guitar and piano. She previously sang for seven years with a choir of expatriates in Guatemala and has experience writing and administering grants, including two that supported public libraries in helping people find jobs during economic hardship. She believes deeply in the power of music as a universal language that builds bridges and brings people together. Her work is grounded in a commitment to supporting indigenous youth in finding their voices and creating brighter futures within their families, communities, and country.
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