Faculty-Led Trip Offers USU Students Immersive Musical Experience in Cuba

LOGAN — Utah State University music students spent 10 days in Cuba this year on a faculty-led study abroad directed by Corey Christiansen, professor of music in USU’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Christiansen, an internationally recognized guitarist, educator and recording artist, guided students through an intensive, on-the-ground experience that blended performance, collaboration and cultural exchange.

Christiansen said the program was built around experiential learning, inviting students to adapt, respond and create in real time.

“It allowed us to be in the culture of Cuba, and by doing that, there were times we had to wing it even though we had a set schedule,” Christiansen said. “There is no way a classroom setting could have provided the learning the students received by being [there].”

Across Havana’s concert halls, clubs and studios, students connected with professional musicians, visited a secondary-level conservatory, and explored the art, food and daily life of Cuban communities. The hands-on format yielded spontaneous moments, including an invitation from Cuban professionals for USU students to sit in during a club performance.

“We had a pianist and a drummer volunteer and jump on stage and perform with the Cuban professionals,” Christiansen said. “The work the USU students had done in their jazz combos and jazz improvisation classes prepared them for this moment.”

Students also joined a dance company that blends flamenco and Afro-Cuban traditions, taking part in a percussion segment.

“Our students did great,” said Christiansen, noting that coursework in world music and rhythm helped them perform confidently. The trip, he added, deepened students’ appreciation for the rigor and dedication of Cuban musicians and “helped them rededicate themselves to their own musical goals.”

The experience aligns with USU’s commitment to experiential learning opportunities and collaborative engagement with external communities.

“We were able to make friends, learn and grow as a group through this experience,” Christiansen said. “We brought the ‘Aggie family’ vibe to Cuba.”

Back on campus, students are already integrating Afro-Cuban and Caribbean rhythms into rehearsals and performances, influencing repertoire and programming in student-led ensembles.

Given the success of the inaugural trip, the program is slated to return in 2026 with a similar itinerary. Christiansen encourages interested students to take the leap.

“Don’t think about this too much. It’s going to be an incredible experience. Just do it,” he said. “This trip will teach you about yourself as much as the Cuban people and their culture: come with us in 2026 to find out what that means.”