Costa Rican Folk Song "Soy Tico" Performed at Berklee College of Music

Landmark moment for Costa Rican music and cultural representation at prestigious annual Latin music concert.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:03pm

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In a historic moment, the iconic Costa Rican folk song "Soy Tico" was performed for the first time at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston on March 10, 2026. The performance took place during Berklee's annual "Ídolos Latinos" concert, a celebration of Latin music, culture, and student creativity.

Why it matters

The inclusion of "Soy Tico" highlights Berklee's growing commitment to showcasing diverse musical traditions from around the world. This event signals a broader trend of the increasing prominence of Latin music within academic institutions, driven by the global popularity of Latin music genres and a greater awareness of Latin America's rich cultural heritage.

The details

The performance of "Soy Tico" was delivered by Costa Rican singer-songwriter Sofía Escalante, who was selected through a competitive audition process. The song, composed by Carlos Guzmán, a pivotal figure in Costa Rican music, is deeply ingrained in the country's national identity. Escalante was joined by other Costa Rican musicians, including Carmela Feoli (violin), Amanda Sánchez (cello), and Danny Castro (marimba), who contributed to the orchestral arrangement.

  • The performance of "Soy Tico" took place on March 10, 2026.
  • "Ídolos Latinos" has been a cherished tradition at Berklee since its inception in 2017, evolving from "Divas Latinas" in 2018.

The players

Sofía Escalante

A Costa Rican singer-songwriter who performed the iconic folk song "Soy Tico" at Berklee College of Music.

Carlos Guzmán

A renowned Costa Rican composer who created the song "Soy Tico", which is deeply ingrained in Costa Rican national identity. Guzmán is a graduate of the Conservatorio Castella, the Universidad Nacional, and a former member of the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional, and has been a pivotal figure in Costa Rican music since 1977 as the founder and creative force behind Grupo Gaviota.

Carmela Feoli

A Costa Rican musician who contributed to the orchestral arrangement of "Soy Tico" performed at Berklee College of Music.

Amanda Sánchez

A Costa Rican musician who contributed to the orchestral arrangement of "Soy Tico" performed at Berklee College of Music.

Danny Castro

A Costa Rican musician who contributed to the orchestral arrangement of "Soy Tico" performed at Berklee College of Music.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This event signals a broader trend of the growing prominence of Latin music within academic institutions, driven by the increasing global popularity of Latin music genres and a greater awareness of the rich cultural heritage of Latin America. We can expect to see more collaborations between Latin American artists and Western academic institutions, leading to innovative musical fusions and a deeper understanding of Latin musical traditions.