Event Detail

Mexican American composer Alida Vázquez Ayala (1930–2016) was an essential figure in the narratives of women pioneers in electronic music and a feminist who actively worked towards achieving spaces of equity for women composers. Still, her life story and work are virtually unknown. This conference intends to celebrate Vázquez’s legacy by hosting key figures in her life – friends, mentors, colleagues, and family, many of whom will meet for the first time in this event— and by offering performances of her work for the first time in decades. The concert will feature David Aguila, Kyle Blair, Ryan Beard,  Alvaro G. Díaz Rodriguez, Mariana Flores Bucio, Alexander Ishov, Ellen Hindson, Myra Hinrichs, Batya MacAdam-Somer, David Savage, Grace Talaski, Min-Seok Peter Ko, and Ilana Waniuk. 

This conference will be a space to critically engage with fundamental topics related to women in the arts during the 20th Century, to feminism, in particular Chicana/Latina feminism, and others such as migration and identity, situated in between the context Vázquez grew up in, in Mexico, and the context she spent most of her life in, in New York City. 

Featured events 
Friday, May 5th: 
2:00 p.m.  Round Table Discussion, Experimental Theater
5:00 p.m.  Concert, Conrad Prebys Concert Hall

Saturday, May 6th: 
11:00 a.m.  Ellie Hisama Keynote Address, Experimental Theater
2:00 p.m. Graduate Student Research Workshop, Experimental Theater

CONCERT PROGRAM: 

Danzas de la vida y la muerte                        
Electronics

Suite pour le piano                                         
Piano: Kyle Blair

Acuarelas de México                                     
Voice: Mariana Bucio Flores, Piano: Kyle Blair 

From the Wind (unknown)
Voice: Mariana Bucio Flores, Piano: Kyle Blair 

Piece for Clarinet and Piano                                 
Piano:  Kyle, Clarinete: Grace Talaski

String Quartet                                         
Violin: Ilana Waniuk, Myra Hinrichs, Viola: Batya MacAdam-Somer, Cello: Peter Ko

Pieza para Siete Instrumentos                                 
Flute: Alexander Ishov, Oboe: Ellen Hidson, Clarinet: Grace Talaski, Basson: David Savage, Horn: Ryan Beard, Trumpet: David Aguila, Conductor: Alvaro G. Díaz Rodriguez