Los Cenzontles - The Mockingbirds

About

Los Cenzontles began as a youth music group in 1989 by Eugene Rodriguez. Along with his student collaborators from San Pablo and Richmond, California they have promoted Mexican cultural traditions and cross-cultural connections, through their Academy, band, and music and video productions. 

Our Mission

Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy amplifies Mexican American culture and communities through education, performance and production.

Staff & Faculty

We are an artist-driven organization with team members hold different roles. Our staff and faculty that create our programming and teach our academy classes also form part of the band and are those leading our productions. They are first, second, and third generation immigrants, they grew up in our local San Pablo/Richmond neighborhood, they are master artists and community members who have dedicated their lives to bringing positive change through the arts. Hover over each image to get to know us!

Eugene Rodriguez

Executive Director, Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy

Marie Astrid Do-Rodriguez

Folk Artist, Jewelry Teacher, Costume Designer

Barbara Selhorst

Business Manager

Fabiola Trujillo

Academy Program Manager, Singing Teacher, Los Cenzontles Lead Singer

Lucina Rodriguez

External Program Coordinator, Music and Dance Teacher, Los Cenzontles Lead Singer

Dave Millar

Director of Development and Marketing

Verenice Velazquez

Development and Communications Coordinator

Sandra Poindexter

Violin Teacher

Silvestre Martinez

Percussion and Music Teacher

Artist Collaborators

Los Cenzontles has collaborated with numerous artists and media producers to explore our deep roots and cultural connections.  

Andre Thierry, Andres Flores, Andres Vega, Ashley James, Atilano Lopez, Armando Aparicio, Ballet Folklorico Ensambles de San Francisco, Bill Evans, Bobby Black, Carlos Baron, Carlos Caro, Christine Garrigan, Colin Birdseye, Coro Hispano de San Francisco, Craig Sherod, Christopher Villanueva, Cougar Estrada, Dave Alvin, David Fleury, David Luke, David Hidalgo, David Tanenbaum, Diana Cordero, Dionisio Ceballos, Ed Littlefield, Elvin Bishop, Flaco Jimenez, Gary Coates, Gary Soto, George Horn, Gisela Farias Luna, Gregorio “El Goyo”,  Greg Morgenstein, Grupo Mono Blanco, Herminia Albarran, Jackson Browne, Jacqueline Rago, James Hall, James Keach, John Bishop, Juan Carreon, Juan Francisco ‘Pato’ Diaz, Julian Gonzalez, Keith Terry, Ken Lee, Kester Smith, Kiki Valera, Kristy Guevara-Flanagan, La Marisoul, Lalo Guerrero, Laurie Lewis, Lazaro Ros, Leonel Mendoza, Les Blank, Lev ‘Ljova’ Zhurbin, Linda Ronstadt, Los Lobos, Los Texmaniacs, Los Tigres del Norte, Mariachi Azteca de San Jose, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mark Kohr, Max Baca, Mike Melnyk, Maureen Gosling, Michele Perez, Miguel Govea, Miriam Martinez, Orquesta la Moderna Tradición, Oscar Carillo, Pablo Aslan, Pancho Terry, Patricio Hidalgo, Pedro Dimas, Peggy Peralta, Pete Sears, Peter Maund, Phillip Rodriguez, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Raimundo Raul Malo, Ricardo Braojos, Richard Talavera, Roberto Borrell, Rogelio Lozano, Ruben Guzman, Ruben Moreno, Rudy Figueroa, Ry Cooder, San Francisco Symphony, Santiago Jimenez Jr, Saul Hernandez, Shira Kammen, Silvia Gonzalez de Leon, Son de Madera, Steve Condiotti, Taj Mahal, Theodore Reid, Tudor Stanley, The Chieftains, Tom Rozum, Tregar Otton, Yolanda del Rio,

 

Board of Directors

Los Cenzontles’ Board of Directors includes community members who support and understand our mission of sharing our first-voice stories, engaging our youth in fruitful experiences, and generating interpersonal connections. With various upbringing and life experiences, our board members understands our community as well as the importance of our work.

Marco Gonzales

Retired Public School Administrator, West Contra Costa USD

Angel Abundez

Director of Client Services, P3 Adaptive

Lucero Arellano

Retired Arts Grants Program Administrator California Arts Council

Robert Aguallo, II

Retired Community Bank Director, Golden Pacific Bank

Sylvia Mullally

Learning Consultant/Translator

Eugene Rodriguez

Executive Director, Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy

Fabiola Trujillo

Academy Program Manager, Singing Teacher, Los Cenzontles Lead Singer

Lucina Rodriguez

External Program Coordinator, Music and Dance Teacher, Los Cenzontles Lead Singer

Verenice Velazquez

Development and Communications Coordinator

Foundations and Government Supporters 

We are fortunate to have entities that provide great resources to our academy, touring and productions programs. Together we value the culture, media representation, storytelling, and arts preservation. Thank you to the following organizations for their past and current support. 

  • California Arts Council
  • East Bay Community Foundation
  • Fleishhacker Foundation
  • Ford Foundation
  • James Irvine Foundation
  • Walter & Elise Hass Fund
  • Hellman Foundation
  • William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
  • Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation
  • The Lia Fund
  • Thomas J. Long Foundation
  • Jonathan Logan Family Foundation
  • Marin Community Foundation
  • National Endowment for the Arts
  • Nelson Fund of Silicon Valley
  • Northern California Community Loan Fund
  • San Francisco Foundation
  • San Pablo Community Foundation
  • May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
  • Surda Foundation
  • Sage Foundation
  • The Wells Fargo Foundation
  • Chamberlin Education Foundation
  • The Lewis Prize for Music
  • Baker Street Foundation
  • The Miner Anderson Family Foundation
  • Bill Graham Foundation
  • Crescent Porter Hale Foundation
  • San Antonio Area Foundation
  • San Pablo Community Foundation
  • Zellerbach Family Foundation
  • McEvoy Foundation for the Arts
  • Swig Foundation
  • Oliver & Co.
  • Arhoolie Foundation
  • National Park Service
  • Reva & David Logan Foundation
  • City of Richmond
  • MacPherson Fund
  • Brickyard Berridge
  • Brickyard C
  • Unbound Philanthropy
  • Chevron
  • First Bank
  • Mechanics Bank
  • U.S. Bank

 

MEMBERS AND DONORS

Los Cenzontles also relies on the support of many generous individual donors, also known to us as members, who give anywhere from $5 on upwards. All individuals form part of our network and help sustain the living cultural arts in our community.

Become a member

Our students rely on your support, and that support has never been more urgent. By donating, you expand the powerful impact of culture, music, and arts for community youth.

Please donate what you can today
Los Cenzontles Academy

Learn more about our academy program!

Timeline

Browse through Los Cenzontles’ interactive timeline, representing a history of over 30 years.

Blog

Read our "Notes from the neighborhood" blog.