Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:48:00
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| Article by:
Jessica Buchleitner
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 Eugene, left, and the group - Courtesy of Los Cenzontles. |
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By Jessica Buchleitner
It has released 18 albums to date and performed in the United States and Europe. Its members have a natural cohesion as they have performed together for years. Together, they are the Los Cenzontles band – “amplifying” their Mexican roots.
Los Cenzontles exists as a nonprofit enriching the Richmond, California, community with various styles of Mexican folk music, folk dancing and arts and crafts. Its method of organizational management has also won them much recognition for its successful and artistic community building.
Los Cenzontles is an artist-driven organization committed to amplifying the roots of Mexican culture through classes, events, media and performances. It consists of a music academy with classes for children in the community and a professional touring group of world-class musicians. The group also offers classes in traditional dance and arts and crafts as well.
“We teach traditional Mexican music of the different regions,” said Eugene Rodriguez, founder, executive director and musician. “We also teach basics of violin, piano and guitar. We also do folk dancing and jewelry – different folk arts.”
Los Cenzontles started in 1989 when Rodriguez and Bernice Zuniga-Yap received a grant from the California Arts Council. After the tumultuous early ‘90s of social problems and growing tensions regarding the youths of San Pablo/Richmond, the two desired to create a family environment for young people to explore traditional Mexican music and dance.
“It wasn’t until 1994 that I got to see what an impact on the kids that the dance program and music program was having,” Rodriguez said. “I decided at that point to incorporate as a nonprofit organization so we could bring more service to more kids in the neighborhood.”
Los Cenzontles opened in Maple Hall in San Pablo in 1994 and welcomed 175 students for enrollment in its first week. Rodriguez and Zuniga-Yap graciously received their storefront location at Dias plaza from landlord Al Dias in 1998. Since these times, many young people have grown up being involved in the programs – including members of the band.
“The older members of the group are adults in their 20s who started with me when they were younger,” said Rodriguez. “Most of the members in the group can sing, play instruments and dance.”
The academy teaches 200 students weekly and includes a Youth Mentorship Program, which provides necessary training to teens to become teachers. Costing only $75 for 12 weeks of classes, all classes within this framework are significantly subsidized to make them affordable for community members. Children ages 4 and up are accepted into the programs and signing up is easy.
Music classes consist of mestizo music in rural Mexican tradition. It utilizes stringed instruments like violin, harp and various guitars from the Baroque and Renaissance eras. There are currently 21 group classes offered weekly in music, dance and arts and crafts in a variety if Mexican and Latin styles.
The staff is comprised of members of the band, Los Cenzontles, which is Nahuati for “The Mockingbirds.” The group presents an interactive performance of Mexican music and dance at school workshops and in various community settings. Its goal is to create a meaningful cultural experience for the audience in connection with educational means.
Mexican culture is particularly important to Rodriguez. Growing up in a Mexican-American family, music was an influence from an early age.
“We always had music in the family between my uncles and aunts,” he said. “After I graduated from the conservatory, I just wanted to play the music that I felt in my heart … the music that I had grown up with. It became an inspiration to find the Mexican roots in the music. It was not easy at that time to purchase records of real folk music. It was really an interesting exploration for me musically, but also on a personal level.”
Apart from its acclaimed arts programs, Los Cenzontles is being recognized on a national level for its approach to arts curriculum and as an example of community building. Rodriguez said that the curriculum and internal structure is very consistent with the way the members do art – creating a lot of internal logic.
“Growing up, I never knew how all of my skills added up. Managing this organization requires a lot of different skills, from music to administration, music research, performance and production,” Rodriguez said. “I try to bring all these skills together into one, long vision.”
For more information on Los Cenzontles classes and performances, visit www.loscenzontles.com.
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