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PAQÉMO, music in the Service of Education and Hope in HaitiHaïti
PAQÉMO, music in the Service of Education and Hope in Haiti
Haïti
  • May 30, 2025
  • | 0

PAQÉMO, music in the Service of Education and Hope in Haiti

PAQÉMO, short for "Projet Artistique de Quartiers et Éducatif Musical en Orchestre" (Neighborhood Artistic and Educational Orchestral Music Project), is an ambitious initiative launched in 2022 by the Association Musicale et Éducative à Vocation Sociale (AMEVS), co-founded by Jéricho Pierre-Noël and Cecilia Madolena Clénard, Haitian students at Sorbonne University. Today, the project includes other names such as Sargine Any Melissa Bernard, Mohamed Etamine, Ege Tarik Eken, Youssef Naccache, and Sohann List Massaregli, all Sorbonne students dedicated to promoting access to musical education in Haiti—particularly classical music—as a tool for holistic development. The goal of PAQÉMO’s founders is to use music as a means of education, inclusion, and social transformation, integrated alongside the traditional Haitian school curriculum.

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A Free Educational and Artistic Project

One of the most remarkable aspects of PAQÉMO is that it’s free—especially meaningful in the economically struggling rural areas of Haiti. This project offers free musical education to children and teenagers aged 6 to 18 in remote areas such as Belladère. They learn to play musical instruments (violin, cello, flute), read music, and perform in orchestras. PAQÉMO also plans concerts to promote their talents. The most talented students may have opportunities to collaborate with orchestras in France, such as COSU and Orchestre à l’École. This proves that the project goes far beyond simple music training—it’s a chance to build self-confidence, discipline, and global exposure for Haitian youth.

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Tangible Social Impact

Partner schools, including the Laïcat Music School, Maranatha Mixed School, and Lycée Charlemagne Péralte, open their doors to PAQÉMO for music learning sessions. Children, often exposed to unstable environments, find in music a space for safety, creativity, and dreams. By fostering personal and collective development, PAQÉMO actively contributes to the social rebuilding of Haitian communities.

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National and International Recognition

PAQÉMO is supported by both international and Haitian institutions. Organizations such as Sorbonne University, Université Quisqueya, Paris 8 University, Chanson d’Haïti, and Woodbrass Music Instruments, along with French music schools like CAICAT, JIDO, and CADENCE, endorse the project. In 2024, PAQÉMO was awarded the Grand Prize for Access to Culture by the Charles Defforey Foundation (Institut de France), along with €100,000 in funding. This recognition reinforces the project’s legitimacy and supports its expansion: by June 2025, PAQÉMO aims to reach over 2,000 children across 20 sites nationwide.

Haïti is known as a land rich in talent and cultural diversity. PAQÉMO represents a source of hope for the development of thousands of children and is a powerful example of how the Haitian diaspora can positively contribute to Haiti’s growth.

Haïti Music: Haitian artist Rutshelle Guillaume crowned “Best Caribbean Artist” at the Trace Awards & Festival 2023

The international music scene buzzed with excitement on Saturday, October 20, 2023 when talented Haitian singer Rutshelle Guillaume was crowned “Best Caribbean Artist” at the prestigious Trace Awards & Festival 2023, held in Kigali, Rwanda. This award recognizes a remarkable career and a significant contribution to the evolution of Caribbean music. Rutshelle Guillaume is an artist who has captured the hearts of music lovers thanks to her undeniable talent and her numerous quality productions. The Trace Awards & Festival is an event renowned for its promotion of Afrocentric music and culture. It is a platform that celebrates the musical diversity of the Caribbean while highlighting the creativity of the region. Caribbean artists are honored for their exceptional contribution to the enrichment of world music. Rutshelle Guillaume’s victory at this prestigious event is not only a tribute to her talent, but also a recognition of the richness of Caribbean music and its ability to transcend geographical boundaries. The Haitian singer knew how to embody this musical diversity and touched the hearts of many listeners around the world. Her career, marked by memorable titles and collaborations with other talented artists, has made her an ambassador for Caribbean music on an international scale. His commitment to promoting Haitian and Caribbean culture has helped strengthen ties between artists in the region and the rest of the world. Rutshelle Guillaume continues to inspire many emerging artists and show that passion, talent and dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements. His victory at the Trace Awards & Festival 2023 is a well-deserved tribute to his influence and undeniable contribution to Caribbean music. Ultimately, Rutshelle Guillaume’s recognition as "Best Caribbean Artist" at the Trace Awards & Festival 2023 is a reminder of the power of music to unite cultures and celebrate artistic diversity. It is a historic moment for the Haitian artist and a source of pride for the Caribbean as a whole. Rutshelle Guillaume continues to be an inspiration to many artists and music lovers around the world, and her music will live on as a testament to her incredible talent and dedication to her art.

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About the Author
Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

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