Nydia playing harp at a Fandango. Photo courtesy of the artist
Nydia Algazzali Gonzalez
Mexican Folk Harp
Nydia Algazzali Gonzalez has dedicated decades to learning and teaching traditional forms of Mexican music and dance from Master instructors in California and Mexico. She is active in the traditional sonero community and is one of the founding directors of the all-women group Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano. She has taught students of all ages and abilities, and develops and administers artist residencies for mainstream and special needs classrooms. She’s passionate about making the arts accessible to all people.
Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano Instagram
Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano Website
Apprenticeship Program
2025
Belén will deepen her practice in Mexican folk harp through focused study under the mentorship of Nydia Gonzalez. This apprenticeship centers on developing the specialized techniques required to play melody, harmony, and rhythm simultaneously, including tuning for multiple keys, arpeggios, melodic patterns for traditional sones, and polyrhythmic bass rhythms. Through building repertoire in son jarocho, rancheras, huapangos, and sones jalisciences, and aligning with her mariachi studies, the apprentice will gain access to intergenerational knowledge passed down from community elders, preparing her to perform in community fandangos and school-based mariachi ensembles.
