Provided by George Mason University
The Hylton Performing Arts Center recently welcomed GRAMMY Award winners, the Villalobos Brothers, as an Artist-in-Residence. This dynamic trio of virtuoso fiddlers, singers, and songwriters hailing from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, spent an inspiring week in the community interacting with nearly 600 learners of all ages. In the four days leading up to their Oct. 26 Hylton Presents performance, the group visited five local schools; the Manassas Park City Library; Lifelong Learning Institute – Manassas; and the Hylton’s sister venue, the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus of George Mason University.
Participants in the Día de los Muertos mask-making class at Manassas Park Library show off their masks.
Drawing on their classical training from prestigious institutions nationwide, Ernesto, Alberto, and Luis Villalobos introduced elementary school students to traditional Mexican folk music (infused with their own unique flair!) through interactive concerts at Covington-Harper, Jenkins, and Swans Creek Elementary Schools in Prince William County. Orchestra students at Potomac High School were also treated to quality time with the artists, who provided input and coaching during a student rehearsal for an upcoming concert. Additionally, Colgan High School’s Orchestra and Music Technology students participated in masterclasses with the Brothers. In Music Technology, Luis covered the subject of music business and other topics, and the class culminated in a lively jam session. Ernesto and Alberto also introduced the Orchestra students to an orchestral arrangement of one of their pieces.
The artists also spoke about their lives as immigrants and musicians through both a lecture demonstration with Lifelong Learning Institute – Manassas and a moderated conversation titled “Crossing Musical Borders” at the Center for the Arts in Fairfax. This conversation was co-presented by George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, Honors College, and the Center for Immigration Research.
Learn more about the Hylton Center’s Artist-in Residence program and how these residencies create spaces for transformational experiences to happen.