Filipino-American Development Foundation
Herna Cruz, Artistic Mentor in Rondalla
The Filipino-American Development Foundation, San Francisco, received $9,500 for an artistic mentorship with Herna Cruz, co-director of Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble. Ms. Cruz will lead workshops and classes in rondalla music, a traditional string ensemble. The Spanish brought rondalla music to the Philippines in the 1500s and over many centuries it evolved into a distinct Filipino musical form. Filipino rondalla is characterized by its instrumentation, indigenous rhythms, melodies, love songs, and lullabies.
Herna Cruz began studying traditional Filipino music and dance as a child in San Diego. She began performing rondalla music with PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company in San Diego and became the music director of the ensemble two years later and she has been teaching Filipino rondalla music since that time. She plays the bandurria (a 14-stringed mandolin-like instrument which plays the melody), laud (a 5-stringed lute), and octavina (a 14-stringed instrument that resembles a small guitar). In addition to offering workshops and classes, Ms. Cruz will facilitate informal musical gatherings for rondalla practitioners, and curate concerts at two community events, the Parol Lantern Festival and the Flores de Mayo/Lechon Parade. Worskshop participants will have an opportunity to perform at the Flores de Mayo/ Lechon Parade in May 2005.
Contact Information
Filipino American Development Foundation
953 Mission Street, Suite 30
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 348-8042
info@bayanihancc.org
www.bayanihancc.org
top
