Business Details
37 Years
experience
Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy & Community
Los Cenzontles is a nonprofit cultural arts academy, band, and production studio dedicated to amplifying Mexican American roots through education, performance, and media. Founded in 1989, we serve as a second home for generations of families in the Bay Area, offering immersive programs in traditional music, dance, folk arts, and crafts. Our mission is to preserve living traditions while fostering cross-cultural connections, empowering youth through disciplined yet joyful learning.Our team of master artists, many of whom are alumni, teach regional Mexican styles like son jarocho, mariachi tradicional, and Purpecha music, blending heritage with innovation. Recognized globally for our impact, we collaborate with artists worldwide and have produced 24 albums and hundreds of documentaries. Through subsidized classes and community events, we ensure accessibility while nurturing pride, creativity, and cultural identity in young people.
Services
Music Education
Dance Classes
Folk Arts Workshops
Cultural Preservation
Community Events
Media Production
Youth Mentorship
Traditional Instrument Instruction
Cross-Cultural Collaborations
Documentary Filmmaking
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We offer over 30 years of expertise in Mexican folk arts education.
- Our faculty includes master artists and Grammy-winning musicians.
- We provide subsidized classes to ensure community accessibility.
- We preserve endangered traditions like son abajeo and Purpecha music.
- Our alumni-led band bridges cultural heritage with modern innovation.
Associations and certifications
- California Arts Council Legacy Fellowship
- United States Artists Award
- Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for Children
What people say
Priceless resource
Second home
Beauty of traditions
Cross-cultural connections
Nurtures pride
Services
Music Education
Los Cenzontles teaches traditional Mexican styles like son jarocho, mariachi, and Purpecha music through hands-on instruction. Students learn regional instruments, rhythms, and history while developing technical skills and cultural awareness. Our curriculum blends discipline with creativity, preparing youth to perform and preserve heritage.
Dance Classes
Our dance program covers zapateado, huapango, and other Mexican folk styles. Instructors emphasize historical context, movement precision, and expressive storytelling. Classes foster physical coordination, cultural pride, and collaborative performance experience for all skill levels.
Cultural Preservation
We document and revive endangered Mexican musical traditions through fieldwork, recordings, and collaborations with master artists. Initiatives include the Fandango Project and mariachi tradicional revival, ensuring ancestral knowledge transfers to new generations through performances and educational materials.
Media Production
Los Cenzontles produces documentaries and albums showcasing Mexican cultural heritage. Projects like 'Puntos de Vida' and 'American Horizon' blend traditional art forms with modern storytelling, reaching global audiences while maintaining authenticity and educational value.
Community Events
We host fandangos, Noche Purpecha celebrations, and Dia de los Muertos altars to engage the public. These events create inclusive spaces for cultural exchange, featuring live music, workshops, and participatory traditions that strengthen community bonds.
People
Eugene Rodriguez
Executive Director
Third-generation Mexican-American founder of Los Cenzontles, Eugene pioneered urban folk music education. He established the Fandango Project and received a Grammy for children's music. His work bridges cultural divides through traditional pedagogy.
Fabiola Trujillo
Academy Program Manager
Immigrating from Mexico at seven, Fabiola became a lead singer and educator. She directs teen mentorship programs and blends ranchera with country/blues styles, embodying the organization's bicultural mission.
Lucina Rodriguez
Music and Dance Teacher
Specializing in Purpecha and son jarocho traditions, Lucina has taught for 25+ years. She plays multiple instruments and choreographs performances that connect students to their cultural heritage through music and movement.
Verenice Velazquez
Development Coordinator
A UC San Diego graduate, Verenice leads communications while advocating for social connection through urban planning. She began at Los Cenzontles at seven, mastering zapateado and folk traditions.
Silvestre Martinez
Percussion Teacher
Born in Oaxaca, Silvestre brings Afro-Mexican rhythms to classes. A former member of Preservation Hall Jazz Band, he teaches percussion techniques rooted in his family's musical legacy from Puerto Angel.
Questions
What cultural traditions does Los Cenzontles teach?
We specialize in Mexican folk arts including son jarocho, mariachi tradicional, Purépecha music, huapango, and zapateado dance, preserving endangered traditions through hands-on instruction.
Does Los Cenzontles offer adult programs?
While primarily youth-focused, adults participate in community events, workshops, and our band. The Fandango Project and cultural festivals welcome all ages.
How is Los Cenzontles funded?
We rely on donations, grants from foundations like the California Arts Council, and tax-deductible contributions. Class fees cover only 15% of program costs.
What community impact has Los Cenzontles made?
Since 1989, we've trained thousands in cultural arts, bridging generations and ethnicities. Our alumni-led initiatives have revived mariachi and son jarocho traditions across North America.
Videos
