Changing his tune for a dream

Ahush of anticipation explodes into rapturous applause in a concert hall in Changzhou city, Jiangsu province, as Edwin Montealegre, a young conductor from Costa Rica, strides onto the stage. He takes a moment to sweep his gaze over the auditorium before raising his baton to begin the performance.

This is a culmination of years of hard work and a dream — to establish his own professional orchestra in China.

The 37-year-old conductor's journey, beginning in Shanghai, has been an unconventional one. Growing up in the tropical Central American country of Costa Rica, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in conducting in 2017.

"In 2018, my professor advised me to go to China because there was a good teacher from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory teaching at Shanghai Conservatory of Music," Montealegre recalls. "It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

So, he took the plunge, arriving in Shanghai later that year to first learn Mandarin — no easy feat when learning it simultaneously with English. However, the challenge was worthwhile when he gained admission to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music's master's program in 2019.

During his studies, he became enthralled by Shanghai's vibrant arts scene and the wealth of opportunities for musicians. "Here is one of the most beautiful places in the world, especially if you're a musician. There are so many important musicians from around the world here. You have opportunities at every turn," he says.

Inspired by the top-caliber concerts he frequently attended, he began "dreaming big" of one day conducting his own professional orchestra and choir to similar levels of excellence. He thinks Shanghai's arts infrastructure — with its state-of-the-art venues, lighting and technology — seems to make anything possible.

"You just need to imagine it, and then figure out how to make it possible," he says.

The seeds of ambition were sown. But when job offers came in from back home as he completed his thesis, he needed to take a pivotal decision — return to the comforts of Costa Rica or take a risk to pursue his musical vision in Shanghai.

Against the odds, the conductor chose the road less traveled.

"I knew I needed to do something here, either find a job or perhaps establish my own company," he recounts.

He then went to the immigration office to ask about a visa to see if there was an option that allowed him to stay in China. The officer suggested an entrepreneurship visa.

With no business experience, he had to quickly acquire the skills to craft a company plan that could qualify him for an entrepreneurship visa. "What is a business plan? I had no idea," he says, adding that he had to look it up online.

Researching how to tailor the concept for the performing arts industry, he proposed establishing both a professional choir and even an orchestra.

"There are a lot of people who want to attend high-level concerts but there are not enough orchestras here in Shanghai for that purpose. Analyzing this kind of detail, we decided to start this company and bring joy to and inspire people," he says.

The visa application was accepted, and Montealegre officially launched his endeavor early this year with the company named Shanghai M Orchestra.

However, hurdles still loomed.

With a starting capital of zero, he had to repeatedly muster self-belief. "I think the most difficult thing is to keep the belief that you can make it possible because there are so many people who will tell you it's impossible," he says.

Through relentless networking and pitching to investors and sponsors, he gradually built support and financial backing for his fledgling orchestra. And, according to Yang Xuan, his girlfriend and a key member of the company, "Montealegre is also building up his team. We have a composer, Kamel, from Algeria, and two Malaysian women who help find orchestra members and recording".

With a core orchestra finally assembled from students from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Montealegre confronted the responsibility of his leadership role, as he found he had to manage every detail — from staff members to equipment — while maintaining the standard of conducting.

"From the start of rehearsals until the end, I'm not anyone's friend," he asserts, adding that he focuses on every detail because he's always aiming for high standards.

However, he is keen to strike the right balance. "These musicians aren't machines," he says. "I don't want anyone suffering through rehearsals. They chose the music life because they love to play. I want people to enjoy each rehearsal."

It's an approach rooted in his belief about music's transcendent power to emotionally uplift audiences. "Music is the language of the soul," he proclaims. "If we play from the heart, people can feel a range of emotions."

The pivotal moment for his company came on May 18 with its inaugural public performance. "Our sponsors expected a high level of performance from our members," he says, noting that the musicians delivered a memorable display.

While a big achievement, it's just the first milestone in his vision. Future ambitions include many activities from touring nationwide to establishing a music academy. He and his team are also mulling the idea of a music-themed camp for young Chinese musicians in his home country sometime soon.

"For me, it's important to become a bridge between China and my country, and also between China and the Western world through the music," he says.

He thinks the supportive business environment and a wealth of resources and services in Shanghai helped him pursue his dreams. "The government here is serious about attracting more investment. There are guides in many languages, for example, for work permits — there are about nine languages — and the policies for foreigners are getting better," he says.

For those considering a life in China, he advises an open mind and a willingness to embrace new experiences. "You need to be open to enjoy new traditions, new food, a new way of thinking. You have to understand that there are so many ways of thinking," he adds.