La Gala Fiesta

La Gala Fiesta brings the community together through music and education, expanding access to the arts for youth and historically underserved communities. Funds raised will help sustain free music education programs that celebrate Latino culture while fostering artistic and social development.

Orquesta Northwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led primarily by Latinx staff and board members. Through initiatives such as the World Youth Orchestra and the Ballard Civic Orchestra, the organization combines artistic excellence with cultural education and strong community engagement.

In addition to its music programming, Orquesta Northwest advances social impact initiatives, including civic education, community-based cultural projects, and partnerships with Latino organizations across the Seattle region to deliver accessible, no-cost programming.

The organization is supported by local, state, and federal grants, as well as cultural foundations and individual donors committed to strengthening Latino arts and culture.

Guest Artist: Soledad Mayorga and DJ Dinastía Pereira

Guest Speaker: Seattle City Council member Alexis Mercedes-Rink

About Orquesta Northwest

Led by primarily Latinx staff and board, Orquesta Northwest has worked to promote a sense of belonging and empowerment in Seattle-area Latino community members, beginning with the arrival of Paula Nava Madrigal, professional cellist, and conductor from Guadalajara. In collaboration with a local nonprofit providing instruction, without charge, to under-served youth, she launched the World Youth Orchestra program the same year. In 2015 Ms. Madrigal and Teo Benson, professional violinist and founder and Director of Halcyon Strings Music School, co-founded the Ballard Civic Orchestra and began offering annual Latino arts and culture concert series featuring Latinx guest artists and composers. In 2019 Orquesta Northwest became a 501c3 nonprofit organization, presenting World Youth Orchestra and Ballard Civic Orchestra arts and culture programs and projects and offering an annual Master Class by a new Cascade Conducting program in partnership with Symphony Tacoma. Orquesta Northwest collaborates and partners with other Seattle-area Latino organizations, such as the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, Casa Latina, Latino Community Fund, and SeaMar Museum of Chicano/a Latino/a Culture, to present Latino arts and culture events and youth educational programming without charge.

The programs and projects of Orquesta Northwest serve as a bridge to excellence in every dimension of life by celebrating Latino arts and culture, empowering marginalized community members, especially youth, and building partnerships and deepening ties with the Latino community. In 2022 Orquesta Northwest social justice projects include voter education, community messaging about the pandemic and vaccination, a celebration of Latinx essential workers, youth cultural education, and capacity-building to achieve equitable access to space in Seattle.

Orquesta Northwest is supported by city, county, state, and federal grants as well as foundations and individuals, including the National Association of Latino Arts & Culture (NALAC), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Tides Foundation, 4Culture (King County), ArtsWA, Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture and Neighborhood Matching Fund, and Equitable Communities Initiative.

La Gala Fiesta

By Orquesta Northwest

La Gala Fiesta

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