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Juan Miguel Hernández
Juan Miguel Hernandez a Wilson High School, Los Angeles graduate specializes in harmonic instruments. He plays the jarana jarocha and the jarana huasteca (pictured), he is also an accomplished mariachi vihuela musician. He is the "segunad voz" (second vocolaist) of Conjunto Xi.
Miguel learned to play the jarana jarocha with the conjunto while still in high school (one of the itzcuintlis). He began to perfect his style with Delfino Guerrero (Tigres de la Costa) in Veracruz and Tlen Huicani in various workshops.
In the group's travels to Veracruz in 2003, Miguel studied with Jorge Albert Hernandez of Trio Tlayoltiyane to learn the jarana huasteca.
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Leticia Callela
Leticia Callela is a Wilson High School, Los Angeles graduate and is "primera voz" (first vocal) of the ensemble. Her dynamic voice and range makes her a favorite whenever she performs.
Leticia learned jarana jarocha with the conjunto while still in high school. She has since perfected her playing with Delfino Guerrero (Veracruz), Tlen Huicani (Xalapa), and others.
Leticia's primary instrument is the violin, an accomplished mariachi violinist; she is presently studying at California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), Valencia, California. Her introduction to the Huasteco violin came in 2003 when she traveled to Xalapa, Veracruz to study with Jorge Albert Hernandez of El Trio Tlayoltiyane of La Universidad Veracruzana.
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Richard Coria
Richard Coria, is also a Wilson High School graduate, is the founder and director of Conjunto Xi (formerly Xoloitzcuintli) His primary instruments are the requinto and jarana huasteca, though he may on occasion play any of the other instruments.
Richard's introduction to the music of Mexico came in the 1970s while attending Cal State, Los Angeles where he learned harp, jarana, and requinto with Dr. Timothy Harding and serving as one of the musicians for Cal State L.A.'s folklorico group. He has an extensive music background having performed with mariachi Uclatlan, David Hidalgo of Los Lobos and many others.
Richard is presently an Elementary School in Los Angeles where he is dedicated to bringing the music of Mexico to the children of Los Angeles.
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Andrés de la Garza
Andres de la Garza, arpa (harp) jarocha and huapanguera, is a graduate and a teacher at Roosevelt High School where he is the folklórico dance teacher (also physics). His introduction to music came via folklórico, wishing to bring live music to dance group, Andres learned to play the harp with Fermin Herrera of Hueyapan. He then joined forces with Richard Coria to bring jarocho and huasteco music to the children of Los Angeles.
Andres has also studied music in Mexico with Delfino Guerrero - Los Tigres de la Costa, Alberto de la Rosa - Tlen Huicani, and Jorge Alberto Hernandez - Trio Tlayoltiyane.
Andres is finishing up a book "The Music and Dance of Mexico" which introduces the reader to folklórico dance and the six main regions of traditional Mexican music.
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