EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The University of Texas at El Paso will host its second annual Latin Music Festival Oct. 23 to Oct. 25, featuring student performances and internationally recognized musicians celebrating the musical traditions of Latin America.
Organized by UTEP’s Department of Music, the three-day festival will bring Colombian pianist Dr. Natalia Vanegas Escobar and Mexican guitarist Dr. Ricardo Saeb to campus for concerts and educational activities, including opportunities to work with UTEP piano and guitar students.
The festival opens Friday, Oct. 23, with a concert featuring UTEP piano and guitar students from both classical and commercial music degree programs.
The performance will explore connections between culture, heritage, and artistic expression while highlighting the work of emerging musicians, officials said.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, Vanegas Escobar will perform a solo piano recital featuring music connected to her native Colombia. Her repertoire includes works by Colombian composers Adolfo Mejía and Guillermo Uribe Holguín, featured on her debut album, Colombian Preludes.
She currently works as a collaborative pianist at Arkansas State University and the University of Mississippi.
The festival concludes Sunday, Oct. 25, with a solo recital by Saeb, a native of Chihuahua, Mexico. The internationally performing classical guitarist has appeared across Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
According to officials, his performance is expected to highlight the expressive range of the classical guitar.
Beyond the evening concerts, officials stated the festival is designed to connect students with professional musicians through public master classes and educational programming.
The event follows the inaugural festival in 2025. UTEP’s Department of Music said the expanded 2026 program will provide additional artistic and educational opportunities while continuing to feature student musicians alongside established performers.
For tickets and other information about the shows, concert-goers can call 915-747-6625.
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