Mauricio Solano is a retired music teacher, band conductor, and cultural manager from Paraiso Cartago, Costa Rica. He is the creator of the Municipal Music Schools Programs of Costa Rica and Founder of the Paraíso Music School. The Paraiso School is the national model school and has been replicated throughout the country.  He is also the creator and director of the “Corazon Verde” National Band Competition, an annual festival that attracts band from all over the country.  He was featured as a guest conductor for the Sousa International Honors Band in 2011 and at MTSU in 2015.