Motivated by Dr. Ilka Araújo, Texas Wesleyan piano students Fernando Marrufo and Zoe House were accepted to participate at the 2021 Puerto Rico International Institute of Collaborative Piano. The event took place June 12-18 and was sponsored by the Diaz-Del Moral Foundation. The theme of the event was "Celebrating Our Multi-Cultural Heritage." Participants were asked to perform works by underrepresented composers. 

Each pianist was asked to bring a flute performer partner for the collaborative institute. Fernando performed with Omnia Abdelwahab and Zoe performed with Dyamond Mays, also a Texas Wesleyan music student. Interested participants also had the opportunity to compete in the International Collaborative Competition sponsored by the Institute, in which both students chose to participate. Fernando and Omnia received a cash prize for second place; Zoe and Dyamond received a cash prize for third place. All the competitors displayed a very high level of performance and musicianship. Among their selected repertory, performers were all asked to learn a challenging new piece, selected by the competition jury, four weeks before the competition. Fernando and Omnia performed "Galaw Ng Sayaw Sa Apat At Tatlo" by Gary Powell Nash (b.1964). Zoe and Dyamond performed Fantasia Concertante by José Gabriel Núñez Romberg (1816-1876). 

Zoe and Fernando received McCann Funds to participate at the Institute, and study piano with Department of Music Chair Ilka Araújo. Dyamond studies flute with adjunct professor Meg Griffith.