WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Esperanza Azteca youth music project is proud to present its international debut during the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) Cultural Celebration of Mexico on February 1 at the Mexican Cultural Institute.

The Esperanza Azteca youth music project is a social action program spearheaded by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego to encourage excellence and self-esteem in youth through music. The program currently includes over 50 youth orchestras throughout Mexico.

First launched in 2009, the program has captured the hearts of participants and audiences throughout Mexico. Most importantly, it has given teens a creative outlet and role models at critical points of development, guiding youths who would otherwise be idle or influenced by crime and violence.

The string quartet, which will include two violins (played by Josselin Sanchez and Lenin Gallardo), viola (played by Orlando Barajas) and cello (played by Elvira Fernandez), will play a repertory that includes pieces by Vivaldi, Brahms, Meyer and Telemann, in addition to traditional Mexican folk songs.

The musicians will be accompanied by Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, Executive President of Fundacion Azteca, and Julio Saldana, Artistic Director of Esperanza Azteca.

The event will include remarks by Mexican Ambassador the United States Arturo Sarukhan and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, chairman of the CHLI.

The Esperanza Azteca program includes youth orchestras in 29 states throughout Mexico, with over 12,000 participants.

About Esperanza Azteca

Esperanza Azteca is a public/private partnership with support from local, state and federal governments, the National Council of Culture and the Arts (CONACULTA) and Fundacion Azteca. Inspired by the Sistema Nacional de las Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela, the goal of the program is to educate youth.  The program identifies low-income students with music potential and provides an alternative to idleness that often leads to delinquency. Through music, the program embodies values such as teamwork, discipline, and the attainment of excellence through hard work. The program currently has over 50 orchestras in 29 states throughout Mexico, with over 12,000 students. For more information, visit:   www.esperanzaazteca.com.mx

About Fundacion Azteca

Fundacion Azteca is the Grupo Salinas organization that promotes corporate social responsibility both within the group as well as throughout Mexican society as a whole, by linking social needs with organizations and people willing to commit themselves socially and ecologically in the creation of solutions. The foundation also operates in Peru and Guatemala, as well as in United States through Fundacion Azteca America. For more information visit our web page at: www.fundacionazteca.org.

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic, fast growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. These companies include: Azteca (www.tvazteca.com.mx; irtvazteca.com), Azteca America (www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (ww.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx) and Grupo Iusacell (www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings.

About CHLI

The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI, pronounced "chili") is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, based in Washington, D.C., that advances the diversity of thought in U.S. Hispanic community in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, as well as in the international community.  For more information, please visit www.chli.org.  You may also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

International Press Contact: Daniel McCosh; (5255) 1720-0059; dmccosh@gruposalinas.com

SOURCE Grupo Salinas; Fundacion Azteca

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.esperanzaazteca.com.mx
http://www.gruposalinas.com