Miriam Pantoja Donado: A Life Between Scores, Pedagogy, and Sonic Resilience in the Colombian Caribbean

The history of those who have devoted their lives to music in Colombia is rarely told with the sensitivity and depth that its resonance deserves. Purpose: To analyze the life and work of Miriam Pantoja Donado (1936–2022), a pioneer in music education in Colombia's Caribbean region, from a historical, pedagogical, and emotional perspective, emphasizing her legacy as a performer, composer, and educator. Theoretical Framework: The study draws on interdisciplinary approaches from music history, critical music pedagogy, and concepts of sonic heritage and cultural memory to contextualize her contribution to the institutionalization of music education in the region. Method: A qualitative-descriptive approach was used, based on the documentary analysis of personal archives, interviews, audio recordings, and unpublished scores. The materials were compiled and transcribed to reconstruct a comprehensive narrative. Findings and Discussion: The findings portray a multifaceted and beloved figure whose voice resonated not only on major stages but also in classrooms, her home, and her community. As the first graduate of the Music Education program at Universidad del Atlántico, her path as a teacher, choir director, and composer reflects a life dedicated to academic excellence, aesthetic sensitivity, and social commitment. Family narratives provide emotional insight into her artistic expression as a form of resilience. Research Implications: This research fosters the recognition of women in music in the Colombian Caribbean and proposes her legacy as a pedagogical and cultural resource for curriculum design, music historiography, and artistic education. Originality/Value: The study recovers and reframes an underdocumented sonic memory, contributing new female references to music education in Colombia and supporting initiatives of symbolic and cultural justice.