About Us
We repair instruments for under-funded youth orchestras, foster collaboration amongst luthiers, and promote cultural understanding.
ConCuerda is a non-profit Canadian organization that repairs and restores instruments for underfunded youth orchestras in the Global South. It facilitates knowledge exchange and collaboration amongst luthiers and promotes cultural understanding.
ConCuerda also promotes a broader dialogue about culture and the arts and their potential for positive social impact. Since 2017, ConCuerda has supported young musicians, primarily from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Cartagena, Colombia.
ConCuerda has collaborated with grassroots organizations like Colectivo Canta and Nuestra Orquesta, as well as other organizations such as the Music Conservatory Adolfo Mejía of the Fine Arts and Sciences University of Bolívar (UNIBAC), the Claustro La Merced Cultural Space of Cartagena University, and the José Manuel Torices Symphonic Orchestra of INEM.
Our team
Liliana Gutierrez - founder & director
Liliana has always had a deep connection to music. As a child, she learned guitar and studied piano at the Music Conservatory of the National University in Bogotá. She later taught herself to play the charango and founded a musical group for young people. Her passion for music led her to establish a concert production company specializing in jazz and rock. Early in her career, while working in Finance and International Relations, Liliana played an active role in organizing the Rock al Parque festivals in Bogotá. She also created and led a successful social and artistic program that reached nearly 10,000 young people, offering them opportunities through music and the arts. ​Liliana later moved to Canada, where she earned a Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Policy. For the past 15 years, she has worked with Indigenous communities in the Canadian public service. She also participated in the Beethoven string quartet project with her husband, Sergio Rodriguez. In Montreal’s local music scene, she met Tom Wilder, and in 2014, together with Sergio, they co-founded ConCuerda. With a diverse skill set in project management, music production, and community development, Liliana continues to drive ConCuerda’s mission forward, supporting young musicians in Colombia and helping them maintain their instruments to keep pursuing their musical passions.
Tom Wilder - founder & director
Tom Wilder was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has dedicated his life to the art of violin making. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Political Science from Memorial University, he honed his skills at the Chicago School of Violin Making and in workshops across Seoul, Los Angeles, and Paris. In 1991, Tom founded Wilder & Davis Luthiers Inc. in Montreal and later opened a second workshop in Banff, Alberta. ​ In 2008, Tom earned a Master's in Communications and Art History from McGill University. He is a former president of the Federation of Violin and Bow Makers of America and served as the Canadian delegate to the "Entente internationales des luthiers et archetiers d'art." Tom is also a member of the Violin Society of America and the author of the award-winning The Conservation, Restoration, and Repair of Stringed Instruments and Their Bows. ​With his extensive expertise in violin-making, restoration, and bow craftsmanship, Tom has developed a reputation as a master luthier. His recent doctoral dissertation at the University of Cambridge, titled The Forge of an Icon: The Violin in 19th Century London, further solidified his deep academic and practical knowledge of the craft. In 2014, Tom co-founded ConCuerda, where he channels his skills and passion to support young musicians in Colombia, ensuring they have the resources to continue their musical journey.
Sergio Rodriguez - director
Sergio’s journey has always been fueled by his passion for literature, music, and the arts, seamlessly blended with his work in international development. After graduating in Communication from Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, and starting his career in video production, he transitioned into social development, traveling extensively to work with local communities and organizations. His diverse experiences deepened his commitment to creating meaningful change, leading him to pursue a Master’s in Applied Human Sciences at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. In Montreal, Sergio teamed up with his wife, Liliana Gutierrez, and the Adorno String Quartet musicians—Brian and Katherine Manker, Johannes Jansonius, and Jasmine Schnarr—to launch the Beethoven String Quartet Project. The initiative revived the intimate, social spirit of chamber music, bringing Beethoven’s quartets to life in living rooms and creating memorable experiences for audiences. This project ignited a deeper passion for connecting people through music and culture. ​Since ConCuerda’s inception in 2014, Sergio has been a crucial partner, founding the journalism workshops and cultural talks that take place during ConCuerda events. By blending his expertise in social and environmental sustainability with his love for the arts, Sergio continues to create lasting impact, empowering young musicians in Colombia and enriching their cultural journeys.
Héctor A. Iriarte Martínez - coordinator of the ConCuerda Festival in Colombia
From an early age, Héctor Iriarte discovered music as a powerful tool for social transformation. Born and raised in the Nelson Mandela neighborhood of Cartagena, he witnessed the challenges of his community firsthand and decided to use his talent to create opportunities for children and young people. Seven years ago, driven by his vision for change, he founded Fundación Colectivo Canta, a space where music serves as both a refuge and a catalyst for personal growth for hundreds of children and youth. Through this initiative, he has provided free music education, fostering artistic and personal development among participants. Throughout his career, Héctor has performed as a violinist in symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles, while also working as a teacher and director in various musical and educational institutions. His experience includes serving as the first violinist of the BolÃvar Symphony Orchestra, participating in over 600 concerts with Fundación Música por Colombia, and collaborating in major cultural events. Since 2023, Héctor has served as the Coordinator of the ConCuerda Festival in Colombia, continuing his mission to promote musical development and artistic education in vulnerable communities. His dedication, passion, and leadership have solidified his role as a key figure in music education and social transformation through the arts.
Our Work Shown By Others
Local journalists have documented our activities in Cartagena.
01/03/2023
This radio session was held to shed light on the start of the ConCuerda Festival of 2023. With the input of Liliana Gutierrez, they gave information as to what the festival consisted.
02/03/2023
This article highlighted the start of our festival of 2023, while also listing the different activities we are doing in Cartagena.
03/03/2023
The article explains the work that we do in Cartagena, focusing on the restoration of 40 violins and the generous donation of instruments to educational institutions.
20/02/2018
The article highlights our ConCuerda Festival in Cartagena from 2018 and included the partners that helped us throughout the process.
Our Amazing Partners
We wouldn't be able to achieve what we have achieved without the generous support and collaboration of our partners. They play a vital role in enabling us to fulfill our mission and make a meaningful impact in our communities.
"Thank you to our partners for believing in our mission"
- Liliana Gutierrez, Founder & Director of ConCuerda
Be part of
ConCuerda
We always are looking for volunteers to help us create and coordinate our festivals, you can reach us at:
