A recent concert at the Adrienne Arsht Center brought together Cuban nostalgia and student achievement as the Florida International University (FIU) Symphony Orchestra paid tribute to Celia Cruz, known as the Queen of Salsa. The event, titled “Celia Sinfónica,” was sold out and featured both orchestral music and guest artists in a performance that celebrated Cruz’s legacy.
Maestro Javier José Mendoza, associate professor and director of orchestral studies at FIU, led the orchestra during the tribute. He reflected on the significance of the evening: “I was just happy that we were able to bring this show to life. With a show like this, it’s hard to live in the moment. You’re thinking about timing, tempos, what comes next. But I kept telling myself to enjoy it because we’re only doing it once. The overwhelming feeling throughout it all was nostalgia.”
The program paired each piece with visuals highlighting moments from Cruz’s career and personal history. Audience members participated actively by singing and dancing throughout the night.
For many FIU student musicians, performing in Celia Sinfónica marked an important milestone in their education. Yuval Shati, a first-year graduate trumpet player, described her feelings: “When the curtain opened and we saw the audience before even playing a note, it felt like a dream come true. Seeing people who grew up with this music, seeing how much it meant to them, it made everything we worked for feel real.” She noted Afro-Cuban percussionist Brenda Navarrete’s drum solo leading into “Quimbara” as a highlight: “All I wanted to do was put my trumpet down and dance with the crowd,” she said. “The entire audience just exploded with energy.”
Andres Garcia, a freshman violinist new to FIU, compared his experience to performing at Carnegie Hall: “As a freshman, I didn’t expect to be playing with such well-known and famous individuals in my first year of college,” he said. “It felt like playing at Carnegie Hall as a freshman in high school.” He credited Maestro Mendoza for teaching students not only musical technique but also communication through music: “He’s taught us not just to learn the music, but to feel it to understand what it’s trying to say and how to communicate that to the audience. Orchestra is all about communication. If that connection isn’t there, the music won’t sound great.”
Francisco Castillo, senior double bass player majoring in music business and production, spoke about honoring Latin heritage through performance: “Being on that stage, performing Celia’s music, felt like a responsibility,” Castillo said. “This is a legacy for Latin people. You’re not just playing notes, you’re honoring history.” He found Willy Chirino’s rendition of “Por Si Acaso No Regreso” particularly moving: “It’s the one piece where we, the bass section, didn’t play,” he explained. “So I was able to step back, observe and really take it all in. Knowing the story behind the song, knowing that Celia recorded it, and then hearing him sing it, was incredibly powerful.” Castillo also noted Maestro Mendoza’s influence beyond musical skills: “He’s taught me responsibility and patience, showing up prepared, respecting the music, being professional. Those are lessons that will stay with me long after I graduate.”
Carolina Santana is an undergraduate trumpet player studying music education who felt both pressure and pride during her performance: “It was pressure because you want to do justice to something this important to Miami and to so many generations,” Santana said. “But after you feel relief and pride because you were part of something so meaningful.” Her favorite part of the concert was Navarrete’s performance of “Drume Negrita”: “Hearing the woodwinds and strings accompany her voice was just beautiful. That moment really stayed with me,” she said.
Santana credited Maestro Mendoza for helping students understand ensemble work: “He’s taught me that conducting isn’t just about keeping time — it’s about feeling emotion and keeping everyone connected. Every person in the orchestra plays a role; he guides us through that together.”
Reflecting on his students’ achievements following Celia Sinfónica’s conclusion at Arsht Center amid standing ovations from attendees across generations who danced in celebration throughout its duration — Maestro Mendoza concluded: “They’re playing great and they’ve really risen to the occasion,” he said.”No question they aced the test.”
In addition to celebrating Celia Cruz’s cultural impact through symphonic arrangements alongside renowned guest performers—the event highlighted educational growth among FIU musicians while engaging Miami’s diverse community.
