Earth Train

Fundación Danilo Pérez

Founded in 2005 by Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Danilo Pérez, the Fundación Danilo Pérez has set out to provide opportunities for young people to develop to their maximum potential and to grow into leadership roles on both the local and world stages. Through scholarships to study at the Foundation itself and at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, the Foundation promotes the idea that music is the key to culture and culture the key to the realization of a truly sustainable human existence on Earth. It uses music as a vehicle for the establishment of a core set of essential values in its students, preparing them to take action as the flag bearers of a new era of human harmony with nature.

The Foundation has made many contributions to the local culture, the most notable of which is the initiation of the annual Panama Jazz Festival - an event that has grown ever larger and more important over the 7 years of its existence. This year, 2010, Danilo was honored by the First Lady of Panama for his contributions to the national heritage. The foundation also became a major contact point for the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, which completed its flagship session this year, the culmination of which was an outstanding presence at the 7th annual Panama Jazz Festival.

"Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision, a nightmare."
- Japanese proverb

Earth Train has worked with the Foundation since early 2009 in promoting strong values in youth and inspiring action founded in strong and far-seeing vision, a core concept of the Foundation. Earth Train's Mamoní Valley Preserve has been the stage for several musical expeditions, including the humble beginnings of what has grown into the vision of Junglewood, a new performing and visual arts complex which will have its home on the banks of the Mamoní river at the edge of the Preserve.

Click here to view the official website of the Fundación Danilo Pérez.