Education

Partners Son Monarcas & Nahui Ollin - Aztec Dance are approved Chicago Public School vendor agencies. Together we are committed to providing quality arts programming for students of all ages with a focus on cultural education through the arts. We have instructors that have been teaching for many many years and know how to inspire the next generation through cultural arts. We teach and perform for all ages, unfolding a world of experience for students of all backgrounds to learn about world cultures, language, geography, history, math, and more through the arts, with a specialty in Latin traditional music and dance. We have worked with a multitude of schools over the years, utilizing English, Spanish and bilingual programs designed for all ages and mindful of the State of Illinois Education Goals for Music, Dance, Visual Art, and Theatre.

Educational Presentations

Son Monarcas & Nahui Ollin present dynamic educational performances of traditional and authentic Mexican music and dance at school workshops and assemblies, as well as in community settings. These performances may be presented in connection with educational curricula such as language studies, geography, history, art, and math to create a more meaningful connection to the music and the culture for our audience.

Programs to Fit All Budgets

Son Monarcas & Nahui Ollin are willing to work with your school budget to find what works best for your students whether it be an educational performance, concert, workshop, or residency. We are available for in-person, remote/virtual, or pre-recorded classes and workshops.

Chicago Public School Vendor

Booking / Contact: sonmonarcas@gmail.com

Workshops
and
Residencies

Year-long School Residencies : In-Person or Virtual Classes Available

Bring music, dance, and art to life through interactive, culturally rich programs designed for students of all ages. Our teaching artists create engaging experiences that celebrate Latin American heritage while building artistic skills, confidence, and creativity.

🎶 Music

Programs:

World Music Programs – Teaching Artist residencies exploring music from Latin America and around the world
Cultural Immersion – Learn rhythms, songs, and traditions from diverse regions
General Music – Music theory, notation reading, ear training, and ensemble playing

Instruments Offered:

Percussion
Voice / Choir
Guitar, Ukulele, Violin, Mandolin
Piano, Accordion, Bass
Recorder & Indigenous Flute

Traditional Mexican Instruments:

Jarana Jarocha
Requinto Jarocho
Huapanguera
Mexican Harp

🎭 Theatre

Voice & Diction
Choir
Acting & Movement
Writing & Scene Study
Viewpoints

🎨 Visual Arts

Painting & Drawing
Murals (collaborative projects or stand-alone pieces)
Traditional Crafts

💃 Dance

Zapateado (Foot-tapping / Ballet Folklórico)
Aztec Dance

Sample of our Cultural Arts residency program

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"Butterfly Fandango" by Son Monarcas

Come along with the musicians and dancers of Son Monarcas as they showcase traditional music and dance from Latin America. The program "Butterfly Fandango" explores the Indigenous, African, and Spanish influences on the movement, rhythms, and melodies of Latin America. The audience will enjoy the collection of songs and dances featuring traditional authentic instruments from all over Latin America. Dance includes Aztec drum and dance and zapateado (foot tapping) from Mexico. This lively, interactive performance engages audiences of all ages with energetic renditions of traditional music, and even a familiar melody that the students and teachers will all recognize and love. The program is very interactive throughout and aims to teach about the geography, history and culture of Mexico through the arts, always ending with time for questions and answers from the audience.

Educational Performances

Nahui Ollin - Aztec Dance

(Educational Performance)

Experience the vibrant living tradition of Mesoamerica with Nahui Ollin Aztec Dance, a dynamic group dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of pre-Hispanic central Mexico. Through an engaging educational performance, audiences are invited into the world of Aztec dance, a practice rooted in spirituality, ceremony, and deep respect for the natural world.This program features authentic regalia, traditional songs and stories, and indigenous musical instruments that transport audiences to a time when dance was both a sacred ritual and a celebration of life. The dancers’ powerful, symbolic movements honor the elements of nature — earth, fire, wind, and water — as well as totem animals, deities, and cosmic forces central to Mesoamerican belief systems.

In addition to the performance, the program offers cultural insights that highlight how the legacy of this ancient civilization continues to influence our daily lives. Audiences will explore connections to this heritage through language, food, place names, and common words we use today — demonstrating that this culture is not lost to history but woven into the fabric of our modern world.

Whether for schools, festivals, or community events, this performance is both educational and inspiring, offering a deeper understanding of indigenous traditions and their lasting impact on contemporary culture.