By Arch. Javier De Jesús Martínez
Dean of the School of Arts, Design, and Creative Industries
Just a few years ago, four young women from different corners of Puerto Rico crossed paths in the hallways of Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. They came from Bayamón, Hatillo, Ponce, and Cayey; they studied Music, Film, and even Biology. What they shared was a deep passion for creating. From that encounter came FIA Music, a band formed by Ihanna Sevilla, Alanis Rodríguez, Fabiola Febre Martínez, and Angélica María Ortiz Reyes.
For me, the story began a little earlier. I met two of these young women at Marina 15 through the CRE 490 course, where they were already exploring creative ideas and projects that extended beyond the classroom. What began as conversations and artistic concerns would eventually become a real experience of creation and collaboration.
Today, that story adds a new chapter.
On September 18, the members of FIA Music will take the stage at La Respuesta in Santurce to present Amor de Película, the first EP by Ange Ortiz, featuring four original songs. Although the project is part of Ange’s individual artistic journey, its development reflects the same philosophy that has defined FIA from the beginning: growing together while continuing to cultivate an individual voice.
There is much more than music behind this release. Around Amor de Película, students and recent graduates from Sagrado, musicians, visual artists, photographers, producers, audiovisual creators, and young entrepreneurs are coming together, transforming their academic training into real-world cultural production experiences. What began as a relationship among university classmates has become a collaborative network that brings together different disciplines, talents, and interests.
Perhaps that is where the most meaningful value of this story lies. A Biology student is developing her project as a singer-songwriter while being supported by a recent graduate whose work brings together music, cultural management, photography, and audiovisual production. Around them, other students and collaborators contribute their diverse skills to make a professional artistic production possible.
Since their official debut, FIA Music has embraced self-management, the creation of their own spaces, and mutual support. They have produced events, actively participated in Puerto Rico’s music scene, and demonstrated that collaboration can serve as a platform for amplifying both individual and collective talent.
The presentation of Amor de Película is, in many ways, the visible result of that journey. It is also an example of how connections made at a university can extend beyond the classroom to become creative projects, cultural ventures, and communities of support that continue to grow.
Sometimes, a university brings people together. Other times, those people end up creating something together.
And sometimes, the result is a song.
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