Sound as Landscape
Music at Navolé is an act of listening as much as playing. Our programs explore the sonic traditions of Latin America — from Andean wind instruments to Afro-Latin percussion — alongside contemporary composition and sound art.
The Galápagos offers a unique acoustic environment: wind, ocean, birdsong, volcanic silence. We invite musicians and sound artists to engage with this landscape as both subject and collaborator.
What We Offer
Latin Percussion Workshop
All levelsHands-on exploration of conga, cajón, and bombo — rhythmic foundations of Afro-Latin music traditions.
Upon request
Andean Instruments Masterclass
IntermediateQuena, charango, and zampoña — technique, tuning, and the cultural context of Andean musical heritage.
Upon request
Field Recording & Sound Art
All levelsVenture into the Galápagos with professional recording equipment. Capture, compose, and reflect on the island's sonic world.
Upon request
Ensemble Sessions
Intermediate–AdvancedCollaborative music-making across traditions. Bring your instrument; leave with new musical relationships.
Upon request
Island Sounds
Music of the Galapagos
The Galápagos Islands have a rich and often overlooked musical identity. Shaped by waves of migration from mainland Ecuador, the Pacific, and beyond, the islands carry a living tradition of pasillo, cumbia, and festive music rooted in community celebration.
Local musicians weave together Andean melodies, Afro-Ecuadorian rhythms, and the sounds of the sea into something entirely their own. At Navolé, we celebrate and document this living heritage — connecting visitors with the artists who keep it alive.
La Rondalla Indefatigable de la Santa Cruz de Galapagos.
One of Santa Cruz's most beloved ensembles, Grupo La Rondalla has performed at community festivals and cultural events across the Galápagos for years. Their repertoire spans classic Ecuadorian pasillo, romantic bolero, and trova — played with warmth and deep local pride. Bringing forgotten songs about Galapagos back to live.
Artists born and made in the Islands
Rooted in the island artist have helped reate a cultural identity of the island, in this way blending acoustic folk with Latin rhythms and original compositions inspired by life in the archipelago. Their music is intimate, honest, and unmistakably Galápagos.
Hear Something New
Workshops run monthly. Field recording expeditions by arrangement. Residency musicians receive studio recording access.