OCTOBER 2020

Homenaje Carlos Guastavino y sus Flores

Una Voz Un Mundo launches their 4th Season with Homenaje Carlos Guastavino y sus Flores. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Una Voz Un Mundo has gathered 4 of the most beautiful Latin American upcoming Young Artists voices to celebrate Heritage, Culture, Music and Pride. Eugenia Forteza, mezzo Soprano from Argentina, Hector Cisneros, baritone from Guatemala, Clara Irazu, soprano from Puerto Rico, and Mario Arevalo, tenor from El Salvador will unite in song to pay a tribute to the incredible Carlos Guastavino from Argentina.

Carlos Guastavino was a no less influential figure for the younger generation of composers – particularly in popular music – growing up in Argentina in the 1960s and 70s. Atonality and musique concrète he dismissed as “nastiness” and “falsification”, believing that music should be based on melody and harmony.

“I love melody,” he once said. “I love to sing. I refuse to compose music only intended to be discovered and understood by future generations.” His distillation of local folk elements into an avowedly romantic-nationalist idiom was also markedly different in aesthetics from Ginastera’s early works or the later, hugely successful, concert works of the cult tango king, Astor Piazzolla.

Guastavino was born in Santa Fé, in northern Argentina, the son of a painter and decorator. Originally marked out by his father for a career in science (his brother took up law), the boy’s precocious talent for music, particularly the piano, eventually proved decisive. He studied the instrument locally with Esperanza Lothringer and Dominga Laffei, and later, in Buenos Aires, with Germán de Elizalde, while going to Athos Palma for composition.

Many famous performers, such as Teresa Berganza, Martha Argerich, Gidon Kremer, José Carreras, Kiri Te Kanawa, Patricia Caicedo, Bernarda Fink, Cecilia Pillado, María Isabel Siewers, Jorge Chaminé, Agathe Martel, and Karina Gauvin, have included works of Guastavino on their programs.

Despite the many awards received in his lifetime – from the cities of Santa Fe and Buenos Aires, from the Justice Ministry, from the Inter-American music council – Guastavino never reached the popularity and recognition his music deserves. His final years were marked by illness and failing memory. He died in Santa Fe in 2000.

Today we celebrate his Music and His Heritage. We are so proud of the program we have put together for all for all of you. Even though we can’t be together to enjoy his gorgeous music in a beautiful garden or hall in NYC please accept this beautiful concert as part of our love to the Arts, Latin American Composers, and to our countries. If you can donate anything so we can continue with these concerts and provide a small token of appreciation to our performers we will be grateful forever.

Noche Buena Latina Concert 2019

Tenor Mario Arevalo, will be closing his 2019 Season with a wonderful concert of Spanish Villancicos y Cantos Populares under the musical guidance in the piano of Markus Kaitila a prizewinning, young concert pianist lauded for his artistic substance, awareness of form and crystalline clarity. Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Aaron Copland School of Music, CUNY Queens College, 2017, former studies at Sibelius Academy and Folkwang University of the Arts in Europe and masterclasses with Paul Badura-Skoda, Leon Fleisher and Bernd Goetzke. Soloist of Joutseno Art Summer, Wratislavia, St. Peter’s Festival and Queens College Chamber Orchestras. Performances at Wiener Saal, Salzburg; Klavier-Festival Ruhr; Mannes, LeFrak and Carnegie Halls, New York. Solo Piano Fellow at Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, 2015. Chautauqua Institution piano program in New York and artistic residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada, 2017. Before starting his Master’s at NYU Steinhardt in the fall, Markus was playing at Pianofest in the Hamptons June 19 through July 16 and appeared as a soloist of the New Amsterdam Symphony on July 17 at St. Peter’s in Chelsea, where he serves as Music Director.
Mario Arevalo, tenor has been praised by The New York Classical review in his debut with New York City Opera production of I Pagliacci as deftly well done. Voce di Meche says “Mr. Arevalo has a beautiful instrument, an effortless tone, and a warm Latin sound that helps to put a song across “. Mario Arevalo is an upcoming tenor in both recital and opera stages. Recently making Debuts in South America, Hawaii and Central America. Mr. Arevalo currently is an Ambassador of Goodwill for The Fine Arts and Culture title given by The Association of El Salvador United Nations, and serves as the Founder and Artistic Director of Una Voz Un Mundo. is an arts initiative committed to humanitarian aid, arts advocacy, and the celebration of cultural openness and diversity.
Una Voz Un Mundo: our organization focuses on the artistic contributions of women and people of color, regularly showcasing the music of Latin American composers. We strive to establish multi-disciplinary arts programming, ensuring access to the arts for local and global communities. By means of global partnership, we integrate principles of gender and race equity with youth and art engagement to foster youth sustainability and sustainable development.

Sophia Bacelar: Passionate, innovative, and fearless, Cuban-Chinese-American cellist Sophia Bacelar is quickly gaining an international reputation as a rising star in the classical music world. Acclaimed for her expressivity, musicianship, and collaborative spirit as a soloist and recitalist, Bacelar has performed in the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Canada, Chile, and Israel, and has appeared at such renowned venues as New York’s Carnegie Hall, Germany’s Berliner Philharmonie, Switzerland’s Tonhalle Zürich and Victoria Hall, France’s Le Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and Cité de la Musique, and Israel’s Tel Aviv Museum of Art, among others.
Host Venue: The beautiful venue of St John in the Village Church opens its door to this amazing artist showcasing what he knows best, his Latin roots. Many surprises, Guest Artists and so much love for this holiday season. The entire program will be sung in Spanish, come and learn how Latin American countries celebrate the holidays and enjoy a cup of Salvadoran hot chocolate. This is an event you don’t want to miss. All the proceeds will go to buy toys to the children of San Vicente El Salvador.

Buy tickets here :https://unavozunmundo.ticketleap.com/noche-buena-latina-concert-2019/details

Celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month 2019

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Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) is October 12.
The term Hispanic or Latino, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. On the 2010 Census form, people of Spanish, Hispanic and/or Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin. “Today, 57.5 million people or 18% of the American population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This represents a significant increase from 2000, which registered the Hispanic population at 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population.
Share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

We partnership with Sing for Hope Foundation to showcase an evening of Folklore Music, Singing and Dance at 42nd Street Port Authority Sing for Hope Piano Stage.

October 17th -Masterclass ” A Guide to Latin American Art Song”

Una Voz Un Mundo continuing with The Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrating 4 year anniversary. It is excited to present an incredible masterclass open to the public with Dr. Maya Hoover, Mezzo Soprano and writer of A Guide to Latin American Art Song and Jose Melendez, Piano Collaborator and Coach from Academy of Vocal Arts.. Please join us on October 17th at 7:00pm at The Otello Room in Yeoryia’s Studios 2067 Broadway between West 71st/West 72nd Street in Manhattan NYC. We will featured 6 Latin American Young Artists participating in this incredible masterclass. Free to the public but welcome to always donate to our fundraising page
https://www.facebook.com/donate/507578290053865/ so events like this can stay alive and we can provide many more opportunities to the incredible talents of Latin America here in NYC.

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A Guide to Latin American Art Song October 17th

About Maya Hoover
Praised for her outstanding artistry, “vocal beauty of high technical caliber,” and “vocal flare and flamenco abandon,” mezzo-soprano Maya Hoover is widely recognized for her passion, profundity, and depth on stage. She has recently been featured in concerts with renowned soprano Sumi Jo and the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra (HSO); Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra (Colorado); The Magic Flute (Second Lady) and Il Trovatore (Inez) with Hawai‘i Opera Theatre (HOT); gala concerts with Opera NEO (San Diego); recitals in Vernon, France and throughout China; and concerts with Artists for Social Justice Hawai‘i. This season, she sings Suzuki in Madama Butterfly (Opera Ft. Collins) and Mercédès in Carmen (Axelrod Performing Arts Center, NJ). In June, she will be a featured artist with the Art Song Preservation Society of New York in a program of all Latin American art song with her musical partner of more than twenty years, pianist José Meléndez.

Other highlights include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (HSO, Bellingham Festival of Music); Falla’s El sombrero de tres picos (HSO); Mary in Der fliegende Holländer (HOT); Verdi’s Requiem (Tuscia Operafestival, Viterbo, Italy); Respighi’s Il tramonto and Simon Sargon’s Shemà (Chamber Music Hawai‘i); and Schoenberg’s Pierrot Lunaire (Chamber Music Hawai‘i), in a production staged by Henry Akina. Other international appearances include Festival Mozart y Beethoven, Festival Internacional Bach, and Festimúsica Internacional (Peru); Songs Across the Americas Festival (Bolivia); Bellingham Festival of Music; Bloomington Early Music Festival; Escuela de Artes Musicales, Universidad de Costa Rica; Auditorio Fabio Lozano (Bogotá, Colombia); and Teatro Municipal (Trujillo, Peru).

As a recitalist, she has performed regularly with José Meléndez for two decades in innovative programs frequently highlighting Latin American, Spanish, and other outstanding lesser-known works. She holds a Doctor of Music degree in Voice Performance and Literature with a minor in Music Education from Indiana University, a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College, and a Bachelor of Music degree with a minor in Italian Language and Literature from Binghamton University. She has studied with Mary Burgess, Laura Brooks Rice, Patricia Havranek, Virginia Zeani, and currently studies with Andrea DelGiudice. Her publications have appeared in Classical Singer, The Mentoring Connection, Philosophy of Music Education Review, and Choral Journal, and her book Guide to the Latin American Art Song Repertoire: An Annotated Catalog of Twentieth-Century Art Songs for Voice and Piano (Indiana University Press) was released in March 2010. In August 2007, she joined the distinguished faculty of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she serves as Professor of Music with a world-class faculty.

About José Meléndez
Pianist José Meléndez is in demand as a vocal coach, conductor, and collaborative artist. His professional engagements have taken him to Europe, South and Central America, Asia, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and throughout the mainland United States. He is committed to the artistic development of young and emerging singers, and has been associated with numerous young artist programs, competitions, and training centers. He holds a full-time position at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where he is Assistant to the Music Director, Orchestra Librarian, and part of the music staff. He serves as Assistant Conductor, Collaborative Pianist, and Vocal Coach for various AVA productions and events, and he is also the Music Director of Concert Operetta Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to the performance of operetta in concert.

Mr. Meléndez has held professional positions with Glimmerglass Opera (Principal Coach), Opera Company of Philadelphia, Hawaii Opera Theatre (Chorus Master, Repetiteur, Studio Artist Coach), Ocean City (NJ) Pops Orchestra (Conductor), Connecticut Grand Opera, Bay Area Summer Opera Theater (Conductor), Westminster Opera Theater (Music Director), Indianapolis Opera, and Opera de Puerto Rico. He worked with Opera New Jersey for over a decade as Assistant Conductor and Principal Coach, and as Music Director of the Young Artist Program. He made his Carnegie Hall debut as a solo pianist in a recital with pianist José Ramos Santana in May of 2011.

He continues his role as Principal Coach and Pianist for the Puerto Rico Metropolitan Council District and Regional Auditions, a position he has held for over 18 years. He has worked with the Castleton Music Festival (C.A.T.S. Principal Coach), Curtis Institute of Music (Music staff), L’Académie Internationale d’Été de Nice (France), Casals Festival (Puerto Rico), Culturarte (Puerto Rico), Francisco Viñas International Voice Competition (Barcelona), and Operalia, Plácido Domingo’s World Opera Competition.

As a collaborative pianist, Mr. Meléndez is known for his colorful and sensitive playing, as well as his innovative programming. He has enjoyed a partnership with mezzo-soprano Maya Hoover for 20 years. They are known for their programs of all Latin American art song, and for their carefully crafted recitals featuring lesser-known repertoire, which often include new arrangements written by Mr. Meléndez. Mr. Meléndez is a frequent guest artist at the University of Hawaii, where he has presented master classes on the art of collaboration and has played for several seasons on the Music at Mãnoa concert series. He has served on the faculty of the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and in summer 2014, he joined the Music Staff of Seagle Music Colony as Coach for their Young Artist Studio.

José Meléndez holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico and a Master of Music degree in Piano Accompanying and Coaching from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, where he studied with Dalton Baldwin, José Ramos Santana, and J.J. Penna.

Recital de la cancion latinoamericana 2019

October 2nd 2019 @5pm 42nd Street Sing for Hope Stage at Port Authority.
Cuban-American Soprano Betsy Diaz, Salvadoran Tenor Mario Arevalo and
Pianist/Composer Felix Farrar will feature Latin American Art Songs from Cuba,
El Salvador, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Argentina, Spain and more. Special Guest Appeareance by Danza Familia Latina performing various Folklore Dances from all around Latin America. Do not miss this free showcase.

1era Celebracion anual de la Herencia Hispana de la ciudad de Patchogue

September 20th 2019 at 6:30pm

1st Celebration of Latin American music and dances featuring International and local

talents of Long Island. Free Admission

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Feast of St Philip Neri Picnic in Brooklyn

May 19th 2019

Where: St Bonafice Church in Brooklyn ( Duffield Street near Willoughby Street)

Time: 12:00 Noon

Free Admission

Una Voz Un Mundo is grateful and excited to have Liana Guberman, soprano represent our Arts Initiative at The Feast of Saint Philip Neri Picnic on May 19th 2019 from 12:30-4pm. She will be the first Artist performing don’t be late and miss out on the performance of this amazing soprano. Huge thank you to @Marybeth Zeman for the booking and invitation. Come and enjoy an awesome Sunday in Brooklyn. #unavozunmundo #feastofstphilipneri #stbonaficechurch #brooklyn #music #arts #opera #community #performancet of St Philip Neri in Brooklyn

Concierto bajo las Estrellas!

Concert of Arias, Duets and Latin American Popular Songs

June 9th 2019

A tribute to Salvadorians composers and Latin American Composers

in San Vicente El Salvador.

Performers: Mario Arevalo- Tenor, OPUS503 and Michelle Tejada

This is a free concert for the entire town of San Vicente, to promote Arts and Culture and to enhanced the construction of the City Theater that got destroyed by the 2001 Earthquake!

Free Admission

Venue: Plazuela El Pilar, San Vicente, El Salvador

THIS IS US!

A celebration Concert to commemorate The 50th Anniversary of Stonewall Riot.

A showcase of Latin American/ Worldwide LGBT Writers/Composers!

June 28th 2019

Come together to celebrate World Pride NYC Stonewall50

Performers: Mario Arevalo, tenor

Felix Jarrar, Composer and Music Director

Guest Performers

Betsy Diaz, Soprano Scott Bromschwig, Baritone Zach Elmassian, Bass Baritone

Tatianna Overtone, Soprano and Inbal Karmi Milliger, mezzo soprano

This concert will feature a variety of Poetry, Stories, Art Songs, Arias and Broadway Songs from the most popular composers in our community including some Latin American Composers such as Jorge Martin, Reynaldo Hahn, Jake Heggie, Felix Jarrar, Juan Gabriel, Ernesto Lecouna many more.

Admission: $20 buy online or at the door

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/una-voz-un-mundo-18545491025

Venue: St Johns in the Village Church Sanctuary
224 Waverly PL, New York NY 10014

Time: 7:30pm