CTMD’s work in New York’s rapidly growing Mexican community resulted in the creation of two new community-led cultural organizations. Both the Mariachi Academy of New York and Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders.
Sustaining Cultures
Mexican Sustaining Cultural Initiative
Years of activity: 2000–2008
Objectives
The Mariachi Academy of New York was founded in 2002 as the first such academy for youth on the East Coast. Based in Spanish Harlem, the Academy teaches Mariachi repertoire, instrumental technique, song, and ensemble performance to a talented group of ninety-five youth. The Mariachi Academy’s popular touring ensemble performs at community events around the city. The Mariachi Academy received its 501(c)(3) not-for-profit certification in 2008 and is directed by Ramon Ponce, Jr., leader of the ensemble Mariachi Real de Mexico.
Mano a Mano: Cultura Mexicana Sin Fronteras (Hand in Hand: Mexican Culture Without Borders) was created in 2000 and is dedicated to celebrating Mexican culture in the United States and promoting the understanding of Mexican traditions among immigrants, artists, educators and the general public. Mano a Mano partners with leading international organizations, museums, and local cultural partners to create landmark events and celebrations of Mexican culture. Mano a Mano received its 501(c)(3) not-for-profit certification in 2006.
Related Event Series
Contributors
Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York – music and dance ensemble
Bola Suriana – music ensemble from Michoacán
Adriana Caballero – cultural activist
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
Juan Castaño – dancer
Cetizlizti Nahuacampa Quetzalcóatl en Ixachitlan – dance group
Ita Chavez-Geller – Coordinator of Mariachi Academy
Concheros Citlaltonac de la Mesa del Santo Niño de Atocha – sacred dance group
Miguel Cossio – graphic designer, crafts specialist
B-Girl Anita “Rokafella” Garcia – dancer
Conjunto Hueyapan – son jarocho ensemble
DF Crew – visual artists
Los Diamantes de Puebla – norteña ensemble
DJ Sloe Poke – DJ
Estampa y Tradiciones – dance ensemble
Mayra García – cultural activist
Yolanda García – singer
Enrique Gonzalez – photographer
Antonia Guerrero – cultural activist
Gabrial Guzmán – cultural activist
J.R. – hip hop MC
Mayra Vargas de Kiesling – cultural activist
Margarita Larios – culinary specialist
Yolanda Leticia – singer
Alfredo (El Centuaro) Lima – guitarist, singer
Estela López – cultural activist
Humberto López – violinist
Caridad “la Bruja” De La Luz – hip hop artist
Mariachi Aguila y Plata
Mariachi Association of New York
Mariachi Real de Mexico
Aurelia Fernández Marure – dancer, craft specialist
Mexico Beyond Mariachi
Los Niños del East Harlem – dance company
Leslie Ogan – program volunteer
Renzo Ortega – visual artist, musician
Felipe Ortega-Gómez
Ramón Ponce, Jr. – guitarrón (large guitar) guitar, vihuela (small guitar), Director of Mariachi Academy
Ramón Ponce, Sr. – trumpet
Aldo “BocaFloja” Villegas Pozos – hip hop MC
Cathy Ragland, Ph.D. – ethnomusicologist, CTMD Project Director
Alda Reuter – dancer
Lucia Rojas – cultural activist
Zafiro Zatzin Romero – graphic designer
Guadalupe Ross – singer
Veronica Hernandez Shusman – cultural activist
Ernesto Villalobo – violinist
Semilla – son jarocho ensemble
Robert Smith, Ph.D. – sociologist
Emily Socolov, Ph.D. – folklorist, CTMD Project Director
Sones de Mexico – son ensemble
Suspenso del Norte – norteño ensemble
Guillermo Velázquez y los Leones de la Sierra de Xichú – son arribeño ensemble
Youth Ballet Casa Mexico – youth dance ensemble
Alejandro Zarate – craft specialist
