ABOUT US
Mission Statement
AMLA seeks to promote the development, dissemination, and understanding of Latin music and culture throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, with an emphasis on at-risk youth.
History
Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos (AMLA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) arts and artist's organization founded in 2006 in North Philadelphia. It is a subsidiary corporation of Esperanza, Inc. The mission of AMLA is to promote the development, dissemination and understanding of Latin American music and culture in the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Region with a strong emphasis on youth.
AMLA draws on the history and programming of Asociación de Músicos Latino Americanos (Asociación also formerly known as AMLA). This agency was founded by 125 Latino musicians in 1982 to counter the misrepresentation of Latino culture and to advocate for better working conditions for Latino musicians in the community. Asociación formed the Latin School for the Performing Arts (LSPA) for the development of artists and musicians, provided presentations and festivals for the community, and became known for its specialized "Roots of Puerto Rican Music" workshops. This local success earned the organization national recognition including the national "Growing Up Taller" award (1997) for providing top level programming to at-risk youth, as well as Latin Beat magazine's Siempre Salsa Special Recognition Award (2005) for extraordinary work in the field of Latin music education.
In 2006, founder Jesse Bermudez reached out to the Reverend President of Esperanza Luis Cortés, Jr. to forge a strategic partnership. This relationship resulted in the creation of a new organization that draws upon the history and services of the former—and so AMLA (Artistas y Musicos Latino Americanos) was born in the Hunting Park neighborhood of Philadelphia.
LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors
Rev. Danny Cortes, Board Chairperson
Mr. Israel Colon
Mr. Josue Duarte
Mr. Juan Laureda
Mr. Angel Ortiz
Mrs. Marangeli Mejia-Rabell
Mr. Michael Garcia
Staff & Instructors
Rosie Pagan, Director of AMLA
Suzzette Ortiz, Artistic Director
LSPA Instructors
Luis Cuevas
Tony Perez
Jeffrey Johnson
Christian Noguera
Angel Sanchez
Richard Tucker
PROGRAMS
Explore our cultural music offerings
DONATE NOW
Help support AMLA programming!
DONATE HERE
Ways to Give
As a non-profit, AMLA relies on the support of generous donors to sustain and strengthen our work. Gifts to AMLA are stewarded with care and may be used to meet a variety of needs including:
- Crucial operating support to sustain programming, including the cost for space and instruction
- Scholarships to support students who may otherwise lack access to culturally relevant music education
- Instruments for students who cannot afford them
- Performance related expenses, including transportation
All contributions are tax-deductible.
AMLA is a subsidiary of the community development corporation Esperanza, Inc.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Please follow the link below to process your donation or you can mail a check payable to Artists and Musicians of Latin America, AMLA.
*LINK TO DONATION WEBPAGE*
Donations can also be mailed to AMLA at:
AMLA Donations
4261 N. 5th Street, 2nd floor
Philadelphia PA 19140
CONTACT US
contact information
AMLA Administrative Office
4261 N. 5th St, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19140
(215) 324-0746 Ext 225
AMLA Latin School for the Performing Arts
191 W. Hunting Park Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19140
(267) 229-7592
Contact us today!