Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Center Stage!
From September 15th to October 15th, Hispanic Heritage Month is observed throughout the United States annually, celebrating Hispanic Americans with heritage from countries such as Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Ecuador, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and many more. Many important dates fall within Hispanic Heritage Month - several countries celebrate their independence: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. Indigenous Peoples Day and Día de la Raza also are celebrated within this time frame each year as well.
In the past, we have spoken about the impact of New Yorkers on Latin American music and shared resources for further education. We have also highlighted local events and activities to do over the course of the month. This year, we are continuing our tradition of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month as a Latine-owned business, and have turned to our some of our Latine teachers for their perspectives. Below, they've shared some of their favorite Spanish-language songs and told us how growing up in a Hispanic household has influenced their lives as musicians.
Debbie Yanez
Growing up Latina, music was more than just taking lessons once a week for fun or singing along to the radio - it was embedded in every part of life. My mother taught me songs from our home country of Venezuela, my cousins taught me to play our cultural instruments, my uncles taught me to dance to every style there was, and the list goes on. I practiced my Spanish by singing along to songs, and not a day went by that I didn't listen to music. Music is crucial to Hispanic culture, not just in fun dances or a good beat, but as a way to spread joy and unite us as a community. Loving music isn't a requirement to be Latine, but I don't know a single one who doesn't! Knowing and practicing different languages and genres only serves to broaden my horizons as a musician, and allows me to connect better to students, friends, family, and even strangers.
Kevin velez-luna
Growing up in a Hispanic household, music was woven into our daily life. My family's Mexican heritage introduced me to vibrant traditions like mariachi, salsa, and boleros. This exposure shaped my understanding of Latin American music and its emotional resonance with our community.
For instance, I remember family gatherings where music brought everyone together, sharing stories and laughter.
My Hispanic heritage has instilled a profound passion for music, transcending genres. Latin music's rhythm, energy, and storytelling resonate deeply with me. This connection has fostered pride, identity, and a sense of roots. Music became an outlet for self-expression, cultural sharing, and bridging divides. My heritage has inspired me to explore diverse styles, from classical to contemporary Latin music.
veronica mccormick
There was ALWAYS music playing in my apartment growing up. For birthdays, we didn’t have parties at McDonalds or Chuck E. Cheese, we threw dance parties in the apartment from a very young age. So to me, music represented fun times, family and home life. This played a big role when learning music, because I knew I was about to learn how to create this thing I loved to listen to the most. I wanted to write music and make people feel what I felt when I listened to my favorite songs.
victoria rose
We had these artists on repeat during family parties and gatherings, and we always wound up dancing at some point during the night. This helped me embrace my Spanish heritage because when I was young, not many of my friends were of Spanish heritage, and their family dynamic was a lot different. They didn't have the same sense of family as I did. I was the "different" one and was often made fun of, but at home song and dance brought us together.
Throughout the month of October, we are extending our National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with our Can You Clave? Challenge! Please see the following for more details:
Happy listening and playing! Comment below a favorite song that you've learned or listened to this month, in the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month!
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