Leigh Henderson

Leigh has played a variety of roles with us, which isn't surprising because of her theatrical background! Besides having an MBA in arts administration, she also possesses great experience in scenic and lighting design and technical direction. Many theater and cultural groups have benefited from her expertise.

We're also delighted to announce Catherine John as a new member of our organization. Catherine will be joining us as Director of Music Education programs. She has a master of arts degree in community music from the University of Limerick, Ireland, and a diploma of advanced studies in French literature and language from the University of Bordeaux, France, as well as a bachelor of arts degree in romance literatures with a minor in music from Pomona College here in California.

Catherine has coordinated youth music projects in such diverse locations as France, Mexico and Ireland and is also a skilled singer and player of the jarana and violin. Most recently, she has been a teaching artist and project manager at Enriching Lives through Music in Marin County.

Catherine John and students

Meanwhile, the leadership of our music instruction family is literally that: a family. San José boasts many mariachi family educators, and we have been honored to work with the Diaz family from the Mariachi Azteca group -- Juan Diaz Sr., Juan Diaz Jr., and Carla Diaz as music instructors, and Barbara Diaz as a volunteer -- for over two decades. These fantastic instructors also work with other groups in the area, including Stanford University's Mariachi Cardenal, and are the host mariachi for the annual San José International Mariachi Festival.

The San Francisco Chronicle profiled Mariachi Azteca a few years ago in this great article. 

Mariachi Azteca

Maria Luisa Colmenarez

Also on our mariachi music education team is Monica Ramos. Monica has been a valued member of the MHC family for many years, and currently manages the administrative functions for the music education program. Monica makes sure the trains run on time, especially during festival season, and plays a critical role coordinating our volunteers and the mariachi and ballet folklorico workshops during the annual ¡VivaFest! mariachi conference.

Our family wouldn't be complete without Maria Luisa Colmenarez, our director of ballet folklorico workshop instruction. A skilled dancer, she has taken part in six seasons of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, toured with Linda Ronstadt's album "Mas Canciones," and performed in Candlestick Park at for Pope John Paul II. 

The president of the federal nonprofit Danzantes Unidos de California, Maria Luisa also has a résumé that includes a National Endowment for the Arts Folk Arts grant as well as many awards for her visual arts creations in ceramic, glass and bronze.

From the concert stage to the silver screen

This new romantic comedy caught our eye because it highlights Mexican culture and music, but it also spotlights Indian culture, creating a rich, modern fusion. The film follows Venky, a divorced Indian engineer, as he comes to Silicon Valley and falls in love with a Mexican woman, Inez, whose father was a noted mariachi musician. 

The film is filled with humor and music: mariachi, bolero, Indian pop and mambo. It's also star-studded with local luminaries, including San Jose actress Sonia Balcazar as Inez. Local music groups who make appearances in the film include: Mariachi Tapatio (San Jose); the Montuno Swing Salsa Band (San Francisco), led by Grammy Award nominee Christian Tumalan; and Claire on a Dare (San Francisco). Venky is played by Los Angeles actor Roger Narayan.

"¡Hola Venky!" is the latest collaboration between Mumbai director Sandeep Mohan and California producer Giju John. "Music plays a major role in both cultures," John said. "We wanted to use the film as a backdrop to highlight the rich Mexican culture in the Bay Area."

Three more showings of the film are planned in San José, at Towne 3 Cinemas on February 1 and 2. Click for showtimes and ticket information.

We hope you'll join us to experience this unique musical romance!

Saludos,

Marcela

"¡Hola Venky!" actors Roger Narayan and Sonia Balcazar.