We acknowledge the land on which we sit and occupy at the University of Portland. "The Portland Metro area rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other tribes who made their homes along the Columbia River creating communities and summer encampments to harvest and use the plentiful natural resources of the area" (PILR, 2018). We take this opportunity to thank the original caretakers of this land.
Repertoire Listing Sunday, October 26, 2025
A Retirada for String Orchestra (2022)
Clarice Assad
Ritmo de Sangre for String Orchestra (2025)
Cindy Flores
Ofrenda Presentation
MEChA de UP
Danzas latinoamericanas
José Elizondo
I. Otoño en Buenos Aires
II. Atardecer Tapatío
Bravo Youth Orchestra Ambassadors
Phoenix McCoubrey, Conducting Associate
Amor Eterno (1984)
Juan Gabriel
Lupita Zamora-Resendiz (Class of 2018)
Wendoly Zamora-Resendiz (Class of 2025)
Estrella de Maria Zamora-Resendiz (Class of 2028) Intermission
Danzon No. 3 for flute, guitar and small orchestra (1994)
Arturo Marquez
Leia Duarte, flute
Mario Diaz, guitar
Te Extraño (Missing You) - Film
Jose Velasco
Fandango, III. Fandanguito for violin and orchestra (2021)
Arturo Marquez
Ekaterina Kabenina, violin
University of Portland Symphony Orchestra Personnel
The University of Portland Symphony Orchestra is an inclusive community of musicians seeking opportunities to inspire and enrich lives through engaging with a diverse selection of orchestral works. We encourage students to become leaders and life-long learners, giving them the tools to experience, explore, and expand their technical and musical skills.
+ indicates principal * indicates orchestra manager
First
Ailing Zhen Nursing Freshman Portland, OR
Byrn Lovell Community Member Portland, OR
Chae-Yi Shanks Cell, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences Junior University Place, WA
Caiah Chargualaf* Biology Senior Guam
Divya Pakalapati Computer Science and Biology Senior Vancouver, WA
Ekaterina Kabenina+ Marketing Sophomore Moraga, CA
Emily Todd+ Civil Engineering Junior Camas, WA
Jonathan Rapp Public Health Freshman Newberg, OR
Kyle Banerjee Community Member Portland, OR
Kylie Wright+ Nursing Freshman Carmel Valley, CA
Maggie Prevish Engineering Freshman St. Helens, OR
Melisa K. Jones Ecology, Evolution, & Conserv Bio Freshman Elk Grove, CA
Sally Palmiter Community Member Gresham, OR
Stefanie Young Community Member Portland, OR
Wendy Cornaby Community member Hillsboro, OR
Viola
Emanuel Lucero Nursing Sophomore Vancouver WA
Finn Sanders+ Arts Administration Senior Newberg, OR
Keira Peters Nursing Freshman Lacey, WA
Michael Gribbon Community Member Los Angeles, CA
Phoenix McCoubrey* Music/Education Senior Boise, ID
Rowan Lowery Arts Administration Junior Newberg, OR
Cello
Bryan Tran Cell/Molecular Biology Sophomore Gresham, OR
Emmanuel Lucero Nursing Sophomore Vancouver, WA
Eva Rugel Environmental Engineering, Music Freshman Spokane, WA
Ian Carlos+ Electrical Engineering, Music Senior Hayward, CA
Laney Mohr Mechanical Engineering, Music Senior Bellevue, WA
Michaela Gold Civil Engineering Freshman Overland Park, KS
Bass
Layla Decker Physics, Music Freshman Vancouver, WA
Flute
Leia Duarte Music Sophomore Portland, OR
Oboe
Melody Dennis Nursing Freshman Beaverton, OR
Caleb Hamilton-Eads Music Alum Portland, OR
Clarinet
Alejandro Santana
Music Sophomore Vancouver, WA
Jess Thompson Psychology major, Fine Arts minor Sophomore Santa Barbara, CA
Bassoon
Mike Grigsby-Lane Community Member
French Horn
Mekhi Morlin Music Senior Winlock, WA
Euphonium
Yudai Endo
Music (instrument performance) Senior Honolulu, HI
Jack Helms-Galbraith Environmental Ethics & Policy Senior Chandler, AZ
Bass Trombone
Gio Davila Business Junior Las Vegas, NV
Percussion
Judah Frijola Juarez
Arts Administration Sophomore Portland, OR
Mekhi Morlin Music Senior Winlock, WA
John Orr Emeritus Provost for Scholarly Engagement Portland, OR
Program Notes
The University of Portland Symphony Orchestra is so excited to collaborate with the Latinx Student Union, Mecha de UP, and the Bravo Youth Orchestra for our Latinx Celebration Concert. In celebration of Latinx Heritage, as well as Dia de los Muertos, we want to highlight the incredible community we have at UP, reminding everyone that our diverse backgrounds bring us strength and beauty. Thank you all for your contributions!
Ritmo de Sangre for String Orchestra; Cindy Flores
Driven by a relentless marcato pulse, this A minor composition is a bold and energetic statement. Cello players open the piece with syncopated rhythms that keep the momentum unpredictable, while the violas play long held notes to set the dark tone mood. Pizzicato passages provide moments of contrast, adding a biting, percussive edge before the bowing returns with full force. This piece has various rhythmic drives that are dispersed through the sections. The title, Ritmo de Sangre comes from syncopated rhythm being the main statement, while the key of A minor paints the piece as the color red.
A Retirada; Clarice Assad
Composed in 2022, Clarice Assad adapts a traditional melody from late 19th century Brazilian folklore. Found in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, the melody was one frequently sung by foreign and local sailors. Assad brings an energy to the reworking of this melody that plays with texture and contrast.
Danzas latinoamericanas ; José Elizondo
I. Otoño en Buenos Aires
Heavily influenced by tango composers Astor Piazzolla and Carlos Gardel, the first movement was originally composed for two celli, and was intended to be performed in the tradition of tango music. The composer, José Elizondo, writes in his notes on the piece, “My hope was to create music that genuinely embodied the spirit of tango”. Elizondo uses energetic rhythms and drama to propel this movement.
The UP orchestra and the BRAVO Ambassadors ensemble are excited to perform an orchestral rendition of the piece. The piece will be conducted by
student conducting associate Phoenix McCoubrey.
II. Atardecer Tapatío
Elizondo drew inspiration from mariachi music when he was composing the third movement of Danzas Latinoamericanas. Emulating the passion present in Mexican folk music, he wrote a lively rhythm and a dynamic exchange between the instrument sections.
Phoenix, associate conductor, writes, “This piece moves like a living force – the energy and rhythm push and pull in such a playful way. I am excited to feel that exchange engage with that of the audience!”
Fandango ; Arturo Marquez
III. Fandanguito
Marquez wrote this movement as a tribute to Fandanguito Huasteco, a regional style of music composed of “violin, jarana huasteca (small rhythm guitar) and huapanguera (low guitar with 5 orders of strings) and of course accompanies the singing of their sones and the improvisation sung or recited” as written on Marquez’s website. He draws inspiration from the rhythm and the virtuosic violin style.
Danzon No. 3 – Arturo Marquez
Danzón No. 3, for flute, guitar and small orchestra (1994)
Arturo Marquez has been widely recognized as one of the most prolific Mexican composers of his generation. With a massive library of compositions, Danzon No. 3 was published in the midst of some of his most recognizable pieces. Flute soloist Natalia Duarte writes, “Danzón No. 3 by Arturo Márquez is a perfect follow up and contrast to Márquez’s Danzón No. 2. While No. 2 is energetic and passionate, No. 3 is subdued and melancholy. Variations on a central rhythmic theme are passed between instruments and moods of the piece which creates a feeling of continuity throughout contrasting sections.”
Biographies
BRAVO Youth Orchestras is a highly esteemed and influential non-profit organization that connects diverse students in Northern Portland with mentorship opportunities and multiple pathways to engage in the arts. Through its rich in-school and after-school programming, BRAVO Youth Orchestras helps boost academic achievement while supporting the development of creative, confident, community-minded artists.
Catalina Xiap -Riscajche, violin
Charlette Etchison, violin
Toetoe Sengprachanh, violin
Denise Arriola -Ramirez, viola
Jesus Carmona, viola
Draeden Gonzales, cello
Mabel Ellis, cello
Latinx Student Union: The purpose of the Latinx Student Union is to promote the identity and unity of students at University of Portland, through intellectual, cultural, and social growth, as well as increase Latinx student visibility and involvement in other campus organizations and in the Portland community. Lastly, it is to be an inclusive organization to all students, faculty, and staff of University of Portland.
LSU Board:
Monica Marcial | President
Estrella De Maria Zamora-Resendiz| Vice President
Daiana Diaz | Co-Treasurer
Stella Castillo Alvarenga | Public Relations
Lupita Zamora-Resendiz | Advisor
MEChA de UP: Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) is a social justice club focused on advancing its core pillars: Academic Excellence, Leadership, Economic Empowerment, Political Empowerment, and Social Empowerment. Originally stemming out of the 60s Chicano Movement, its goal is to bridge culture and activism for the uplift and mobilization of our communities. Here at UP, MEChA was initially started in 2010 until it transitioned to Latinx Student Union in 2018, but this new iteration began in 2024 with a goal of getting students more culturally and political aware and active.
Rebekah Hanson, Director, s an Assistant Professor of Music and Fine Arts and Director of Orchestral Studies. As a conductor, violist and musicologist, Rebekah is especially interested in compositions by female and marginalized composers and strives to bring these lesser
Biographies
known works to new audiences. She has worked with several UP students and has published multiple articles about contemporary classical composers.
Biographies
With a passion for teaching, Rebekah emphasizes the collaboration and community engagement that music can inspire. Her goal as a conductor, teacher, and chamber musician is to help students and audiences understand both the technical work that goes into a performance, and also the sense of awe and wonder that music brings to our lives.
Mario Díaz is a multi-instrumentalist (plucked strings/voice) whose musical activities have taken him across the U.S. and South America. He serves on the faculties of Portland State University, Willamette University and Reed College. In addition he is Director of the PSU Guitar Series for which he received the PSU Foundation Philanthropic Cultivation Award in 2020. He directs the guitar program at Oregon’s longest standing summer music program, Young Musicians & Artists. Mario also maintains a private teaching studio in Portland and serves as a clinician and adjudicator across the region.
Díaz’s work as a soloist and collaborator crosses over into a wide range of styles and traditions. He has toured, recorded and/or performed as a sideman with Antonio Rey, Dave Eggar, Martin Zarzar, Portland Opera, Third Angle New Music, 45th Parallel, Fear No Music, the Oregon Guitar Quartet, Oregon Catholic Press, Pink Martini, and the Von Trapp’s, among others. During his time at Allegro Media Group, Mario engineered and mastered over 300 recordings for their proprietary record label.
Mario holds a Bachelor’s degree in music and a professional studies certificate in recording arts and music production from Portland State University, and a master’s degree in classical guitar performance from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with composer/guitarist Sergio Assad.
Ekaterina (Kate) Kabenina is a Sophomore Marketing (Business) major at UP. She is from Moscow, Russia and most recently Moraga, CA. Ekaterina has played the violin for 13 years, with Dr. Irina Samarina (years 2019-2024), and now studies with Elizabeth Peyton. In addition to playing the violin with the UP Orchestra, Kate runs for UP's Cross Country and Track and Field team. In her spare time, she loves reading and exploring nearby coffee shops with her friends in an attempt to find the perfect study spot for the weekend.
Leia Duarte is a sophomore music major focusing on flute performance and collaborative piano. She studies flute with Rachel Rencher, and is a member of the UP Symphony Orchestra. In the Spring of 2025, she played a flute solo with the UP Chamber Orchestra. In her free time she enjoys spending time in nature and playing with her cats.
Phoenix McCoubrey is a sophomore violinist from Boise, ID. He is majoring in secondary education and music with the intention of getting his teaching license. Some of his long-term goals include working to improve music programs in underserved communities and introducing a diverse music selection to his future students. This is Phoenix's first semester as a conducting associate, and he is excited to share his work!
Jose Velazco is a sophomore violinist from Boise, ID. He is majoring in secondary education and music with the intention of getting his teaching license. Some of his long-term goals include working to improve music programs in underserved communities and introducing a diverse music selection to his future students. This is Phoenix's first semester as a conducting associate, and he is excited to share his work!
Recording of UP concerts and theater productions without prior permission is prohibited. Performances sponsored by the UP Performing and Fine Arts Department are sometimes video recorded and photographed for a variety of uses, including live simulcast and digital archive on the UP website and social media channels, or for publicity and publications. Images of audience members may be included in these recordings and photos. By attending this event, audience members imply approval for the use of their image by the UP Performing and Fine Arts Department.
Music Patron Fund
The University of Portland’s Performing & Fine Arts Department has established the Music Patron’s Fund as an additional resource for the Music Program’s students and mission. This fund will allocate financial support for the many needs of the program that are not always able to be met by the University and its yearly program budget, including students’ professional development, concert production costs, outreach and facilities. This Fund will also help with the acquisition and maintenance of the program’s music library, and piano and instrument inventory when other resources are not available. These funds will always be directed to the benefit of our students’ growth and training as musicians, which happens both in the classroom, in rehearsal and on the concert stage.
If you have enjoyed what you have seen/heard at this concert, we invite you to help support the efforts and education of our students by making a donation to the Music Patron Fund. You can donate online at giving.up.edu/pfa or by using this QR code.
Please contact the University’s Development Office for more information and questions (503.943.8003), and thank you for your support of the Performing & Fine Arts at the University of Portland!
Study Music at the University of Portland
The University is always seeking bright and talented students who want to study music. Scholarships are offered to incoming majors and minors. One-year performance grants for private lessons are awarded to qualified students who perform in a University Ensemble. For further information, please visit www.up.edu/music or contact Patrick Murphy, murphyp@up.edu.
