Meet Guillermo

We recently connected with Guillermo and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Guillermo, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

Growing up, I was taught that helping others isn’t just a nice thing to do, it’s essential. In my family, the idea was simple: if you have the time, ability, or resources to help, you do it. We had a belief that two can eat from the same dish, and there is always room for one more. To me, it meant that when you share what you have, whether it’s food, time, knowledge, or kindness, you create space for others to thrive too. That spirit of generosity was deeply ingrained in me from an early age, and it continues to guide the way I live and connect with others.

At the heart of it, I believe empathy and compassion are what drive me to be generous. But over time, I’ve also learned that true kindness requires balance. It’s important to set boundaries, to give without losing yourself, to help without being taken for granted. That understanding has made my approach more grounded and intentional.

In a world that can sometimes feel divided or disconnected, I think we need to return to these simple yet powerful values: empathy, compassion, and genuine care for one another. When we lead with understanding and generosity, we don’t just help others, we build stronger, more humane communities where everyone has a chance to belong.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a musician deeply captivated by the limitless sounds and possibilities within the art of percussion. Throughout my academic journey, I specialized in symphonic percussion, which encompasses (but is not limited to) instruments commonly found in orchestras, such as timpani, snare drum, cymbals, marimba, and more. What has always fascinated me about percussion is its unique blend of simplicity and complexity, any object you can strike or shake, whether with your hands or a stick, can produce sound.

My musical journey has taken me from Bogotá, Colombia, to the United States, where I pursued master’s and doctorate degrees and continued to deepen my passion for percussion. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of performing with esteemed ensembles such as the South Florida Symphony, Symphony of the Americas, Palm Beach Symphony, New World Symphony, and Nu Deco Ensemble, among others. A career highlight was performing as a percussionist with the Philharmonic Orchestra Project on Bad Bunny’s Most Wanted Tour in 2024. More recently, I had the honor of performing as soloist and timpanist with the Filarmónica Joven de Colombia in celebration of the orchestra’s 15th anniversary. In 2023, I toured Europe with the World Percussion group, and in the fall of 2024, I co-founded and served as artistic director of the Encuentro Internacional de Percusión RESONANCIAS in Bogotá.

Living in the U.S. has had a profound impact on my perspective as both a musician and an immigrant. It has allowed me to reconnect deeply with the musical traditions of Colombia while expanding my appreciation for the diverse musical landscapes of the world. This journey inspired my doctoral research, which focuses on marimba de chonta music from Colombia’s South Pacific. My research explores how world music traditions can enrich both individual and collective performance skills, emphasizing how these traditions connect us to music on a deeper, more sensory level.

Over the years, I’ve sought out projects that feel like home, collaborations with incredible people who not only inspire me artistically but are also committed to making a positive impact in the world. I’ve had the pleasure of joining the Bateria Saideira from Miamibloco and co-founding Banyan Percussion, a percussion quartet currently preparing for our 2026 season. And in 2025, I co-founded La Pazyflora, a collective dedicated to the roots of bullerengue, cumbia, indigenous melodies, and Afro-descendant rhythms from the Colombian Caribbean, where, with instruments like gaitas, maracas, and traditional Colombian drums, we aim to honor the vibrant cultural heritage of our roots.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the upcoming performances I’ll be a part of. In the 2025-2026 season, I’ll return as principal percussionist with the Florida Grand Opera, and I’m thrilled to perform with Miamibloco in Roots of Samba and King Mango Strut. I’m also looking forward to joining Pazyflora for a special performance at ZeyZey in Casacumbia this December.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey are listening, honesty, and consistency.

I’ve come to realize that being a good listener is one of the most important skills I’ve developed over the years. Truly listening goes far beyond just hearing words or sounds, it’s about being present, open, and intentional. Whether in music or in everyday life, listening allows you to connect more deeply with others and with yourself. When you listen with purpose, you absorb what’s being shared, reflect on it, and respond with clarity and understanding. It’s a skill that shapes how you collaborate as a musician and how you interact as a person. We often take listening for granted, but when we don’t practice it, we risk missing out on meaningful connections, valuable lessons, and opportunities that can bring us closer to our goals. To me, listening is also an act of respect—it gives meaning to what others express, whether through words, music, or art, and creates space for genuine understanding.

Another value I try to live by is honesty, especially honesty rooted in compassion, both toward others and myself. Feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable, is essential for growth. The moments that challenge us most are often the ones that help us evolve, whether we’re receiving constructive criticism or offering it to someone else. Being honest requires empathy, humility, and self-awareness. For me, it’s about staying grounded and recognizing that life is a constant process of learning. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being authentic, acknowledging mistakes, and committing to do better. When honesty is expressed with care, it builds trust. And trust doesn’t just appear; it’s something you nurture through consistency, empathy, and transparency.

That’s where consistency comes in. It’s something I keep working on intentionally, and it’s played a huge role in my growth. I once heard in a yoga class that the most important part of the practice is simply to show up. Some days you feel capable of extraordinary things, and other days, not so much, but showing up is what matters most. Whether you’re learning an instrument, getting in shape, or trying to build a new habit, discipline and perseverance are what carry you forward. Over time, that steady commitment not only helps you reach your destination, but it also often takes you even further.

My advice for anyone early in their journey is this: listen deeply, speak honestly, and show up consistently. These three practices create the foundation for growth, connection, and trust in music, in work, and in life.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

First, I think this is a question we should ask ourselves often. It helps us gain perspective on the value of life and the limited time we all have. Thinking about it reminds me how important it is to live with intention and gratitude, to not take a single day for granted.

If I knew I only had a decade left, I would try to live more intensely and more consciously. I would probably spend the first few weeks simply reflecting, writing down everything I’ve always wanted to do or experience before leaving this world. Then I’d create a plan to make as many of those things happen as possible, while accepting that some dreams might remain unrealized, and that’s okay. The purpose wouldn’t be to complete a checklist, but to live fully, with awareness and appreciation for every moment.

I would prioritize connecting deeply with the people I love, spending more time with my family and close friends, sharing stories, laughter, and quiet moments. My family is the reason I am here, and I’d want to do everything I can to take care of them and bring them joy.

I would also dedicate time to learning and exploring, learning as many languages and instruments as I can, traveling the world, and immersing myself in different cultures and traditions. I believe that each journey, each connection, would teach me something new about life and about myself.

At the same time, I’d want to be practical. I’d focus on creating meaningful and sustainable projects, creative endeavors that could continue to exist beyond my lifetime, carrying forward part of who I am and what I’ve stood for. I’d make sure my affairs were in order, so that my loved ones could feel supported and at peace.

Ultimately, I would spend that decade living with purpose, gratitude, and love, striving to leave behind not only memories, but something that continues to resonate through others: music, kindness, and the reminder that life, no matter how long or short, is worth living with passion and presence.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @gaospinam
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guillermoandres.ospina/
• Linkedin: guillermo-andres-ospina-martinez-abb0a711b

Image Credits

-Personal photo by Antek Olesik

Additional Photos

-Pictures 1 and 2 by Andres Patiño (PAT)

-Pictures 3 and 7 by BSTATIC

-Picture 4 by Alan Blanco @alenriqueb

-Picture 5 by Ben Kelly

-Picture 6 by @danperezphotography