Agents of Change
From far left, Santiago Ossa Alzate (Artistic Director, Sistema Cyprus) with ESC Volunteers Armando (Croatia), João (Portugal), Iris (Austria), Elina (Cyprus), helping during an Sistema Cyprus concert. Photo: Sistema Cyprus.
What do we think, and what do we feel, when we have El Sistema in mind? For us at Sistema Cyprus, we do not think or feel “music only.” Our mission is about creating a community where young people can have equal opportunities in life, discover their potential, break barriers, and find their voices in a society that often tries to silence them.
Through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), we have recently welcomed volunteers from Austria, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, as well as from Cyprus. Our call was simple: we sought passionate individuals aged 18–30 who wanted to drive social change through music. To our surprise, affirmative responses came not only from young musicians in El Sistema-inspired programs but also from professional artists who were eager to journey to our small island and contribute to our mission for a whole year. We named our volunteers “Agents of Change” because they are driven by a desire to empower young people to grow as individuals, musicians, mentors, and engaged citizens.
The idea of hosting volunteers had two purposes: one, the additional staff would be an immense help for our organization, and two, they would provide relatable young role models for our students—especially important for those from vulnerable backgrounds. We wanted to create a structure that nurtures leadership, social responsibility, and cultural exchange, both for the young people in our orchestra and for the volunteers.
Our Agents of Change receive on-arrival and ongoing guidance and training, ensuring that they feel equipped and supported while navigating their roles. When they are settled in Cyprus, the project starts to function as an effective mentorship program for them, and we immediately see the powerful impact this project has when they become embedded in the daily life of Sistema Cyprus: taking initiatives, helping with lessons and rehearsals, offering individual support and motivation to students, and contributing their own talents, musical or otherwise, for our cause.
I think of our student Barbara, a 13-year-old musician interested in conducting. ESC volunteer Angelo, a skilled Italian maestro, saw her potential and encouraged her to prepare to conduct at a major concert with the Sistema Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. With his guidance, she refined her skills, and when the moment arrived, she stepped onto the stage before a packed theatre and led the orchestra.
The audience watched in awe (some even in tears), and Angelo, standing by proudly, was overwhelmed with joy at her success. For Barbara, it was the beginning of her journey as a conductor; for Angelo, it was the reward of mentorship: proof that music has the power to inspire and transform.
So the waves of giving and receiving go in both directions. Our students are exposed to a broader horizon that fosters their curiosity, advances their skills, and helps build their confidence. And our volunteers feel empowered to guide and mentor. When they leave Sistema Cyprus at the end of their volunteering journey, we see them embracing a stronger sense of empathy and resilience. Some have found their vocation in teaching; others have found it in social work or management. All, in their own ways, have become leaders.
Of course, there are challenges! While English is our primary language of instruction, language barriers are difficult for many of our volunteers. And sometimes, too, they struggle with cultural adjustment, with the longing of home, or with the emotional roller-coaster of working with vulnerable youth. We try to meet these challenges with compassion and inclusion, prioritizing their emotional well-being: we offer Greek lessons for volunteers interested in them; we nurture connections between them and our teachers; we adapt their roles to their strengths.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that growth isn’t always linear, for both students and volunteers. There are moments of frustration, stress, and yes, sometimes even panic. But we place our trust in consistency and structure, and in continuous communication and support, so that volunteers feel safe to share their challenges and celebrate their successes.
And we’re thrilled when they come into the office spouting Greek phrases and sometimes whole sentences, or when we hear them tell our students that they now have an entire extended family here at Sistema Cyprus.
Most fundamentally, our volunteers are “agents of change” because they bridge cultures. At the end of their time here, every volunteer departs with a deep sense of belonging to our community. And every student carries forward the spirit of the volunteers. Musical teaching and learning become the currency of intercultural bonding. In the moments of profound connection and mutual pride that are daily experiences for us, we help to make the world a more empathic, more connected place.
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