Mexican composers Francisco Zúñiga Olmos and Alephsus Valdés will spend four weeks in the Twin Cities over the course of three visits with elementary schools and community choral singers, exploring Mexican cultural and choral music traditions as part of VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! 2015-2016. The new music they write will be premiered at the ¡Cantaré! Community Concerts at The Ordway on May 23, 2016.

Alephsus is in residence at Hiawatha Leadership Academy-Morris Park (K-4) and Folwell School, Performing Arts Magnet in Minneapolis, and at Northport Elementary School in Brooklyn Center.

Francisco is working with Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and Broadway High School in Minneapolis,  Central High School in St. Paul and Champlin Park High School. At Broadway, Francisco is leading Spanish lullaby creation sessions as part of Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project, which offers pregnant teens and new mothers in challenging situations an opportunity to create and share a personal lullaby.

Welcome, Francisco and Alephsus!