Villalobos Brothers

In the fall of 2015, my family and I attended a performance at the Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN. My son, David, had received his undergraduate degree from CSUN many years prior, and we were pleased to see how the campus had grown. The recollections that stand out most in my memory from that evening were the extraordinary venue, its artistic excellence, and my first time meeting Thor Steingraber. For those reasons, my family decided in 2017 to invest in The Soraya’s future and long-term sustainability. In the 10 years since, we have come to know Thor and his vision. Through his leadership, we have witnessed values we so admire come to life on this stage — in the artists, their work, and the experiences they create for Los Angeles’ many communities and for CSUN students. Thor’s dedication and imagination serve so many, and it is my wish that his legacy be preserved. In honor and recognition of Thor’s accomplishments, I am pleased to announce a new fund supporting the art and artists who will continue this work: the Thor Steingraber Fund for Artistic Innovation. From the performance that first introduced my family to this majestic venue a decade ago, to the many moments of beauty and inspiration that have graced its stage since, we have Thor to thank. I hope you will join me and my family in supporting this effort — to ensure that these performances, and the spirit they embody, thrive long into the future.

— Soraya Sarah Nazarian

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Program Note

In its relatively short history, The Soraya has presented artists from over 40 nations. This is no coincidence. Global artistry is a key piece of our mission, as well as our commitment to the many diverse communities of Los Angeles. This month, we have curated programs that represent Armenia, Mexico, Argentina, and West Africa. In the case of Ballet Hispánico, we present their version of Carmen, a Spanish story told in a French opera adapted by a New York dance company. While these performances each serve unique audiences, they are also an opportunity for us to come together to set aside our identities and individual tastes — to adopt a broad and inclusive stance, to learn, to celebrate. A decade ago, when contemplating our programs and commitment to international artistry and culture, I wrote a version of these words below. As conflict escalates on multiple continents, I believe they resonate today as they did then. “Music Knows No Borders” The concert hall is an inclusive place. Hands clap and feet stomp regardless of nation of origin, religion, or cultural background. The communal joy of music is immediate and intergenerational. Music does not discriminate. Some borders are ancient — forged in mountains or carved by rivers. Other borders are man-made — ephemeral, arbitrary, disputed. Music unites across geography. It flows, permeates, and transcends. Music knows no borders. Friday jazz descends from Sunday worship. Radio call letters cannot divide classical music from country. Latin rhythms were born from African beats. Even sacred music is nondenominational. Melody and rhythm are universal. Music thrives in Los Angeles at the crossroads of three continents, in the world’s creative capital. From the experimental to the traditional, we give voice to them all at The Soraya. This is the foremost value, onstage and anywhere people gather here.

Gratefully,

Thor Steingraber

Executive and Artistic Director, Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts

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The Villalobos Brothers

GRAMMY® Award-winning family band and leading contemporary Mexican ensemble the Villalobos Brothers — Ernesto, Alberto, and Luis — captivate audiences around the world with their virtuosic violin performances, original compositions, and fiery vocals. Rooted in their native Veracruz traditions, their music showcases a vibrant blend of son jarocho, son huasteco, Latin jazz, and classical music, pushing the boundaries of musical exploration while paying homage to Mexican folklore. Their performances have garnered widespread praise, capturing the hearts of audiences with their masterful musicianship, infectious energy, and profound message of love, brotherhood, and social justice. Their collaboration with Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra resulted in the GRAMMY Award-winning album (2022 Best Latin Jazz Album), Fandango at the Wall in New York, showcasing the power of music to bridge divides. This remarkable project, created by Jorge Francisco Castillo and produced by Kabir Sehgal, brought together renowned international musicians for a live concert at the Tijuana-San Diego border wall, including son jarocho masters Patricio Hidalgo, Ramón Gutiérrez, Tacho Utrera, Wendy Utrera, and Fernando Guadarrama. The Villalobos Brothers have performed at some of the most prestigious stages worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, Montreal International Jazz Festival, and The Ford in Hollywood, among many others. In September 2023, they took part in the opening season of the much-anticipated Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center in New York City. The Villalobos Brothers Symphonic Project was launched in 2018 by the San Francisco Symphony under the baton of maestro Jacomo Bairos at Davies Symphony Hall. This sold-out concert demonstrated their ability to seamlessly blend the rich tapestry of their music with the grandeur of symphonic arrangements, creating a truly awe-inspiring experience. In the following years, the brothers have continued appearing as soloists with symphony orchestras, including the Sun Valley Symphony, Walla Walla Symphony, Yakima Symphony Orchestra, and Santa Rosa Symphony. On their musical journey, the Villalobos Brothers have had the privilege of collaborating with legendary musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Antonio Sánchez, Regina Carter, Eduardo Magallanes, Dan Zanes, The Chieftains, and Anita Tijoux. In January 2024, the Villalobos Brothers appeared at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall as part of globalFEST 2024, one of North America’s most important global music events. In 2025, the ensemble continued expanding its artistic and educational work with a new residency at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall as part of Musical Explorers, a program that reaches hundreds of thousands of students through music curriculum and school partnerships. During this period, Alberto also unveiled a new mural at the Claremont Creative Center in New Hampshire, which will serve as the artwork for the group’s upcoming album. This year, the brothers appeared at the 92nd Street Y in New York City and will release their new record in the same city in September with a launch performance at The Public Theater.

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Edna Vazquez

Fearless singer, songwriter and guitarist Edna Vazquez’s powerful voice and spell-binding musical talent engage and uplift audiences. Her passion for music and performance originated in her homeland of Jalisco, Mexico, and has been nurtured into a bicultural melting pot of folk, rock, R&B, and Mexican heritage, deeply rooted in universal human emotion. Vazquez has traveled far and wide spreading her message of light, love, and cultural healing.

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An Interview With the Villalobos Brothers

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The Soraya

The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya/Producer) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art 1,700-seat theater that opened in 2011 as the Valley Performing Arts Center. Through a transformative gift by Younes and Soraya Nazarian, the venue was renamed The Soraya in 2017. The Soraya is located on the campus of California State University, Northridge, the intellectual and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley.

Executive and Artistic Director Thor Steingraber, in his 12th year leading the organization, sums up what makes The Soraya a central piece of Los Angeles arts and culture. “At The Soraya, we hold a high standard of excellence for every performance from a vast array of artistic disciplines, and we hold steadfast to our commitment to the value and impact of the performing arts in community-building, for the Valley’s 1.8 million residents and beyond.”

The Soraya’s 2025–26 Season is a journey through the expansive sounds of orchestras, the freestyle vibes of jazz, the innovations of dance luminaries, and a vast array of global voices. The Soraya continues its vigorous commitment to excelling, innovating, and amplifying access for Valley residents, students, and arts lovers across Southern California.

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