Beyond vocal technique, Professor Janet López Calderón, faculty member at the School of Arts of the University of Cauca, offered a workshop in Panama where lyrical singing became a space for emotional exploration and personal growth. The workshop, held on June 23 at the University of Panama, along with her participation as a soloist in the gala “Opera Without Borders” on June 26, served as tangible proof of the impact of her pedagogical approach, where voice and personality develop as a whole.

“The original idea came from an invitation I received from the Opera Foundation of Panama to sing at the event Opera Without Borders,” said Professor Janet López. However, her conversation with the event’s directors, Irena Silvia and Juan Pomares, went beyond the stage: “When they learned about my work as a professor for more than 25 years at the University of Cauca, they asked me to lead a workshop for lyrical singing students, something I gladly accepted. It was a great challenge because singing and giving workshops is hard work, but the experience was very enriching. I didn’t expect so many students, and the commitment was absolute,” she explained.

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Indeed, Janet López is an undeniable reference in her field, as she has dedicated her life to lyrical singing and to training new generations. With a degree in Music from Universidad del Valle, a Master’s in Music with an emphasis in performance from the University of Cauca, and advanced vocal studies at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the professor has shared the stage with major orchestras in Colombia and Mexico. Yet her true passion lies in understanding the voice as part of the human whole: “The voice is an instrument that is integrated into our being, into our body. Its faculties depend on the character of the person, their life story, the place where they were born. That is why, when I work with young people, I cannot separate vocal development from personality development, they go hand in hand,” she explained.

During the workshop in Panama, Professor Janet did not focus on correcting vocal techniques, but rather on breaking down the students’ internal barriers: “A student may have developed certain vocal abilities, but when it comes to performing, they hold back. That inhibition is due to a lack of self-confidence, of self-esteem. That entire psychological dimension is fundamental and goes hand in hand with the development of the voice. People expect me to go straight to correcting technique, but I never do that. I go directly to ensuring that the student who aspires to be a professional singer feels secure, knows the value of their instrument, and can project themselves into the professional field from a place of confidence in their own being.”

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In this way, professors at the University of Cauca transform lives, beyond Cauca, transcending borders, while helping make their students’ dreams come true: training integral artists who go beyond technique to connect with the essence of each person. Thus, experiences like that of Professor Janet López in Panama show us that artistic training is not limited to perfecting skills, but also involves guiding processes of self-knowledge, confidence, and authentic expression. On every stage, our professors sow the conviction that true professionalization does not depend solely on technical mastery, but also on the self-love and trust that each student builds within themselves.

Written by: Communications Management Center