EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: Jan. 29-Feb. 4, 2017

EVENT: “En Español: Sounds from the Hispanosphere”

The free, public festival will feature 13 performances and events with students and faculty, as well as guest artists from the ‘Hispanosphere,’ including Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, Spain, United States and Venezuela.

Developed by César Cañón, a doctoral student in collaborative piano at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, the festival will include a variety of recitals, orchestra concerts, master classes and lectures taking place at several university venues.

“I wanted to create a space in which we could put a spotlight on an ethnic group of which I am proudly a part of,” said Cañón, a native of Colombia. “The Spanish-speaking countries’ diversity is so huge and fascinating, that I decided to devote this event to showing that rich diversity.

“Not only is it the largest ethnic minority in the U.S, but also the second largest at the University of Michigan. As such, it is worth creating a space in which we can share some of the creations of our lands of origin. I hope Hispanic-Latino students will find a sense of belonging in the festival’s events. By directing the spotlight towards them, we will promote discussion among their peers on the language-related and social implications of the rich history and cultural backgrounds of the Hispanosphere and its role in our art forms.”

Celebrated guest artists performing on the festival include Duo Villalobos (Edwin Guevara and Cecilia Palma), a guitar-cello duo from Colombia and Venezuela; Puerto Rican pianist Jose Ramos Santana; Colombian accompanist and vocal coach Alejandro Roca; Venezuelan composer Ricardo Lorenz; Karla Donehew Perez and Paul Laraia of the Catalyst Quartet; and violinist Hannah White, a first-place laureate in the Sphinx Competition’s junior division.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: myumi.ch/J28nG

SPONSORS: SMTD’s EXCEL program (Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Career Empowerment & Leadership), U-M Office of Academic and Multicultural Initiatives, Sphinx Organization