For Panamanian singer Patricia Vlieg, music has always been a place where people, languages and cultures meet. Raised amid Panama’s rich cultural diversity, she has built a musical journey that connects Latin America and Japan.
In this interview, she reflects on the joy of singing with children, her connection with Min-On and her belief that listening to one another – through music and dialogue – can open paths to deeper understanding and peace.
MIN-ON: Could you tell us about your first encounter with music and the journey that has shaped your career?
Patricia Vlieg: I was born and raised in Panama, a country rich in cultural diversity. Growing up in a family shaped by a variety of cultural roots, I was surrounded by many different kinds of music and storytelling traditions. For me, music was never simply something to be learned—it was a place where people met, connected, and shared their hearts. Those early experiences instilled in me a deep belief that music has the extraordinary power to bring people together and create genuine human connection.
I began my musical journey at the age of six with the electone, later studied classical piano, and at ten discovered the guitar. Through singing and playing the guitar, I was introduced to the rich diversity of Latin American rhythms, languages, and cultures.
I also developed a deep connection with Japan long before coming here. Singing and performing Japanese songs with my Japanese friends strengthened my bond with the country, and those experiences became the foundation of my current work of building bridges between Japan and Latin America through music.
At fourteen, I gave my first concert, and at fifteen, I made my first recording. As I considered my future, I found myself torn between pursuing music and studying languages. I eventually realized that music is a place where language and culture meet, enriching one another and bringing people together.
I later studied composition and arranging at Berklee College of Music, and went on to study vocal performance at the New England Conservatory, further shaping my path as a musician.
Even today, singing and music are a kind of map that helps me discover both myself and others. It is my hope to continue building bridges between people in the space where language and music meet, creating deeper understanding and genuine human connection.
MIN-ON: What brings you the greatest joy when you share music with children?
Patricia Vlieg: The moments that bring me the greatest joy are when children sing together with me and their faces light up with the happiness of music. Equally rewarding are the moments when music sparks a new question, awakens their curiosity, and opens the door to discovery.
One of the experiences that has stayed with me most deeply was my visit to Imabari in 2019. As part of a Japan tour held to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the founding of Panama City, made possible through the invitation of the Embassy of Panama in Japan and the support of Min-On, I had the opportunity to perform with the “Imabari Boys and Girls Choir.”
On that occasion, we sang Japan’s beloved song “Furusato” together with “Patria,” written and composed by Rubén Blades—a song whose title conveys the idea of “home” or “hometown” in Japanese. The moment our voices came together, I felt as though our hearts had become one, transcending differences in language and culture. It was a deeply moving experience that touched me to the very core.
In August 2024, a lecture concert was held at the Min-On Culture Center to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Panama. During the family concert, everyone in the audience responded with their voices to the rhythm of the drums played by Milagros Blades, creating a warm and wonderful sense of togetherness.
The words I hear from children after these exchanges—“I want to hear more” and “I want to learn more”—are always a great source of encouragement and inspiration for me.
MIN-ON: How do you view Min-On’s founding philosophy and its wide-ranging cultural initiatives?
Patricia Vlieg: For me, discovering Min-On opened a new door in my journey as an artist. Through my 2019 Japan tour, I came to know Min-On’s founding philosophy of bringing people together through music and fostering greater cultural understanding and harmony. This vision resonated deeply with my own path and aspirations—to connect different cultures through the arts and to create spaces where people can come together in the spirit of peace.
This experience sparked my interest in Soka University and ultimately led me to pursue my studies in Japan. While studying peace studies and international relations in graduate school, I began to reflect more deeply on the meaning of “dialogue,” a value that President Ikeda held particularly dear.
I have come to understand dialogue as something far more than simply exchanging words. It means listening sincerely to another person’s voice and allowing the encounter itself to transform us—to open our minds, deepen our understanding, and change who we are.
Through President Ikeda’s life and work, I have learned the profound value of remaining true to one’s ideals over the course of a lifetime. To work for peace requires not only strength and courage, but also gentleness, compassion, and an openness to others. I feel that his way of life has shown us the importance of bringing courage and kindness together—of having the strength to stand firm while never losing our capacity for empathy and care.
That same spirit is alive in Min-On’s concerts, its educational programs in schools, and its cultural exchanges with people around the world. Through music, these initiatives bring together people from different backgrounds, creating opportunities for them to listen to one another’s stories and build connections while embracing the differences that make each of us unique.
After completing my master’s degree, I co-founded Bridges for Dialogue with Birma Esquivel. For nearly two decades, we have documented our work in music and the arts through the lens of peace and dialogue.
My connection with Min-On, together with President Ikeda’s lifelong commitment to peace, will continue to be an important source of inspiration – one that I believe will sustain and guide our work from within for many years to come.
Lecture Concert Commemorating the 120th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Panama and Japan, featuring Patricia Vlieg (2024)
Patricia VLIEG Online Concert in the Bicentennial Celebration of the Independence of the Republic of Panama from Spain (2021)
