Ávila is experiencing a quiet kind of retention, a counter-current to the decades-long trend of young people leaving smaller cities for opportunities elsewhere. At the heart of this shift is a 20-year-old animator and musician, Rodrigo Quesada García, who embodies a growing desire among Ávila’s youth to build a future at home. Quesada’s story, one of artistic passion and community commitment, highlights the importance of creating conditions where young talent chooses to stay – a sentiment he succinctly puts as, “Es importante que haya jóvenes que se quieran quedar en Ávila y formar su vida aquí, porque al final si nos vamos todos…”
Quesada balances a burgeoning career in animation with his role as the director of the Coral Amicus Meus and the children’s choir Amici Mei, institutions deeply rooted in the cultural life of Ávila. He took on the directorship less than two years ago, in September 2024, a remarkably swift ascent for someone so young. The transition wasn’t without its initial anxieties. “I entered a little rushed,” he admitted, recalling the immediate demands of preparing for performances like La Santa and the Jornadas Polifónicas. But he quickly found himself embraced by the choir’s members, many of whom have decades of choral experience.
A Musical Foundation
Quesada’s path to choral direction wasn’t direct. Born in Ávila in 2003, he grew up in a home filled with artistic expression. His parents, a mathematician and an architect respectively, encouraged creativity alongside academics. He and his two older brothers were steered towards the arts from a young age, with painting and music taking precedence over television. He began his musical training with the violoncello, completing his education at the Conservatorio, though his initial exposure to choral music didn’t immediately resonate.
The turning point came during his time at the IES Isabel de Castilla, where music teacher Inma Landa ignited his passion for choral singing. Landa, he recalls, “transmitted a love for music to her students.” He joined the school choir and, through Landa’s connections, was introduced to the Coro de Jóvenes de Madrid, directed by Juan Pablo de Juan. This experience proved transformative. “I developed my love for being in a choir,” Quesada explained, describing the experience as discovering “a treasure.” He found a sense of community and belonging he hadn’t anticipated, realizing that “singing in a choir is like forming a family in another way.”
Returning to Ávila
After three years in Madrid, Quesada returned to Ávila, drawn back by the opportunity to lead Amicus Meus. The offer came through Elena Delgado, director of Musicamos and a former teacher at Isabel de Castilla. He’d already been exploring direction through workshops and learning from his mentor in Madrid, and approached the role with a clear vision. He quickly found a rhythm with both the adult and children’s choirs, appreciating the different dynamics each presented. He described the adults as a group with decades of experience – one member had been singing for 40 years – and the children as eager and playful.
But the decision to return wasn’t solely professional. Quesada expressed a strong desire to live in Ávila, contrasting the pace and scale of Madrid with the intimacy of his hometown. “When I went to Madrid, I couldn’t stand it,” he said, citing the lengthy commutes. “Here, in 40 minutes walking, you can leave Ávila.” He acknowledges the limited opportunities for study in Ávila, but emphasizes his commitment to building a life there. He currently works remotely on animation projects, allowing him to balance his artistic pursuits with his role as a choral director.
The Importance of Staying
Quesada’s story speaks to a broader concern about the future of smaller cities like Ávila. He believes it’s vital to foster an environment where young people feel empowered to stay and contribute to their communities. “It’s important that there are young people who seek to stay in Ávila and build their lives here, because if we all leave…” he trailed off, the sentiment hanging in the air. He’s currently pursuing a master’s degree in animation and is considering further vocal studies at the Conservatorio de Ávila, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and growth within his community.
Quesada’s dedication extends beyond his artistic endeavors. He finds fulfillment in the collaborative nature of his work, comparing his career to finding “the best possible choice.” He feels fortunate to have discovered two passions – animation and music – that he can pursue with enthusiasm. As he continues to lead Amicus Meus and Amici Mei, and to develop his animation career, Rodrigo Quesada García is becoming a symbol of a hopeful future for Ávila, a future where young talent chooses to stay and contribute to the vibrant cultural life of their hometown.
The next scheduled performance for Coral Amicus Meus is currently unconfirmed, but information will be available through their Facebook page.
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