52 students from different faculties have enrolled in the first edition of the 'Artistic Talent' program at the University of Navarra. This is an initiative promoted by the Campus Creativo area of Museo Universidad de Navarra, which seeks to enable students to continue their artistic training and combine it with their studies. The students have enrolled in three modalities, according to their artistic discipline: choir (10), symphony orchestra (22) and theater training plan (20).

The program's director, Carlos Bernar, explains that the proposal arises from "the need to make it easier for students to combine their academic studies with their artistic talents". He emphasizes that art and creativity are increasingly valued in people's education. In this sense, he recalls: "University education is not exclusively academic, so we must promote the talents that each student has".

Students participating in the program are expected to attend rehearsals, concerts and performances on time and to maintain the academic standards expected by their advisor. In addition, there will be flexibility in their faculties with changes in exam dates, class schedules, seminars, assignments...etc. Students have the possibility of obtaining 2 credits per course, up to a maximum of 6, during the course.

"The challenge is that the opportunity to become a professional is real."

In this first edition of Talento Artístico, of the 52 participants, distributed among the faculties of Communication, Philosophy and Letters, Medicine, Science, Pharmacy and Nutrition, ISSA, Nursing, Architecture and Law, 14 are from Navarre. Among them is Amaya Arboniés Cabodevilla, 20, a second-year nursing student and one of the violinists in the Symphony Orchestra. "I've been playing the violin for 13 years," she says. "The truth is that it's quite complicated to combine my studies with my dedication to music. The schedules overlap and we don't have time to stop for a second, which ends up being exhausting and stressful. I think this program can be very useful for us to organize ourselves," he says. 

Alvaro Dawid de Vera, 20 years old and a third year student of History and Journalism, participates in the theater training plan, in fact he is the director of the group Mutis por el Foro. Dawid affirms that combining theater with a university career is possible and values the start of Talento Artístico. "I have applied to be part of the program to make it easier to reconcile both worlds. It is a joy to have our work and our commitment recognized in this activity that brings us a lot. In addition to having a great time and meeting other students, theater helps with confidence in public speaking, improves body language and the ability to work in a group."

Philippine Lestienne is a French student at ISSA School of Management Assistants and participates in Talento Artístico as a member of the choir. She loves singing and emphasizes the good atmosphere in the university choir. "The professors have a lot of confidence in us and have already scheduled two concerts for us," she says. "The program allows me to combine my academic and artistic training. It's a great opportunity. I think the main challenge is that the opportunity to become a professional in a choir while studying is real."