The Sor Juana Festival presents Músicas Al Frente: An Intimate Conversation with Rocio Santos featuring Vivir Quintana. Quintana, a prominent voice representing the experiences of Mexican women through songwriting and activism, explores regional and folk music and joins us to share her powerful voice and inspiration. This event serves as both a master class and an immersive journey into Quintana’s career development, offering insights into her artistry, her role in advocating for social change, and her navigation of the music industry. Chicago-born Mexican singer-songwriter Rosalba Valdez accompanies Rocío Santos and Vivir Quintana to share her musician experience amplifying immigrant voices and advocating for social change.

About Vivir Quintana
Vivir Quintana is a Mexican singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice and socially charged lyrics that blend folk, regional, and ranchera music. Her debut album, Te mereces un amor (You Deserve a Love), is available on all digital platforms. Her song Canción sin miedo (Song Without Fear) has become a global feminist anthem, and she collaborates with organizations advocating for human rights. She has performed alongside Mon Laferte, Aterciopelados, Caifanes, and others across Mexico, the U.S., and Latin America.

Her music has appeared in films and series like Mujeres Asesinas (2024), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and Noche de fuego (2021). In 2023, she was named a Spotify EQUAL Ambassador, and Forbes México recognized her as one of the 100 most creative Mexicans. In 2024, the Recording Academy named her one of its “Leading Ladies of Entertainment.”

About Rosalba Valdez
Rosalba Valdez is a Mexican singer/songwriter from Chicago. Regularly singing and playing guitar for Sunday church services, community events, rallies, and protests, from the age of five, Rosalba grew up in an activist environment advocating for immigrant rights.

Rosalba recognized her passion for music early on and also learned about the importance of speaking out against the injustices in her community. Her debut EP, "Yo Soy Mexicana," displays a variety of Latin genres and was written as a statement against hateful rhetoric being spread at the time by the former President of the United States. Her new single, "LUCHA DE FAMILIAS," reflects different stories in the immigrant community and calls on the Latine diaspora to stand united for social change.

About Rocío Santos aka Roxyo Sounds
This event is in collaboration with Rocío Santos, aka Roxyo Sounds, is a radio and podcast producer, host, and music curator/DJ at Vocalo 91.1FM (Chicago Public Media), specializing in the alternative music scenes of Latin America. With over fifteen years of experience in radio and media, Rocío is best known for hosting and producing Domingos en Vocalo — the premier weekly Spanish-language program on arts and culture, where she has interviewed a diverse range of international artists including Café Tacvba, Natalia Lafourcade, Mon Laferte, Carla Morrison, iLe, Helado Negro, and many rising local and global musicians and creators.