Hispanic Heritage Month Concert
As part of her ongoing residency at the Deering Estate, award-winning vocalist Susana Behar presents the annual concert in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. For the past three years, this special program has honored the artistic voices, stories, and legacies of Hispanic composers and iconic vocalists through music and performance.
Susana will be accompanied by an ensemble of exceptional musicians:
Michel Gonzalez (guitar and arrangements)
Magela Herrera (flute)
Javier Espinoza (bass)
Adolfo Herrera (percussion)
Event Details
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Reception to follow concert
Location: Deering Estate Visitor Center Theater
Ticket Details
Tickets at $30 + tax available through Eventbrite.
Tickets purchased ONLINE ONLY. No refunds, exchanges or rainchecks.
About the Artist-in-Residence:
Known for her soulful interpretations and engaging stage presence, Susana Behar explores the rich tapestry of world music, blending Latin American, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and contemporary influences. A Cuban-born, Miami-based vocalist, Susana has been rooted in the melodies of her Cuban Sephardic family and enriched by her years in Venezuela and Miami’s vibrant cultural landscape, bringing to the stage a deeply personal celebration of identity and global sound. An award-winning artist, Susana has served as Artist-in-Residence at the Deering Estate (2023–present) and previously at HistoryMiami Museum (2020). She received the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship in Folk & Traditional Arts and has performed across the Americas, Israel, and Japan. Susana has released three albums: La Galana i la Mar (2009), At The Crossroads, Live (2016), and TAPIZ (2019). Her music has appeared in films, radio broadcasts, and international collaborations, including the acclaimed documentary Adio Kerida, the National Arab Orchestra’s Layali al-Andaluz program, and the cross-continental dance work ANUSIM. Most recently, she performed at the Kennedy Center (2024) and the Library of Congress (2025) in celebrations of Jewish American Heritage Month. Through her music, Susana builds bridges across cultures and generations, leaving audiences inspired long after the last note fades.
About the Musicians:
Michel Gonzalez is a Miami based guitarist, composer, arranger and educator. Born in Venezuela and raised in Spain, he studied classical guitar at Mayeusis Conservatory and jazz guitar at Estudio, Escola de musica in Spain. He was awarded a scholarship from AIE (Society of Artists and performances of Spain) to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he graduated Magna cum laude with a degree in Professional music. In addition, he took master classes with Pat Metheny, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Charlie Banacos, Jorge Pardo, and Barry Harris. In 2013, he was nominated by Latin Grammy Academy for participating as an arranger, producer, and guitar player in “Para ser un Sol” by Jesus Hidalgo.
Magela Herrera is a Cuban-born flutist, vocalist, composer, and recording artist who grew up immersed in both Afro-Cuban traditions and classical music, which she studied at the Conservatory of Music in Havana. Over the years, she has performed with renowned international artists such as Chucho Valdés, Hernán López-Nussa, Jan Eggum, and the Oslo Chamber Orchestra. After completing her studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music, she developed a distinctive sound blending Latin jazz and Euro jazz. The Latin Jazz Network has praised her as “a bonafide star” whose music blends beauty with mysticism. She is recognized as one of today’s most exciting female instrumentalists.
Javier Espinoza Javier Espinoza is a Venezuelan-American bassist based in Miami, Florida, since 2016. Throughout his career, he has performed on prestigious stages in the United States, France, Spain, Colombia, and Venezuela, bringing his versatility and musicality to a wide range of projects and performances. His passion and love for music have shaped him into a versatile bassist, equally comfortable performing jazz, Latin jazz, Venezuelan music, Brazilian music, R&B, pop, rock, and Colombian music. His experience on both electric and upright bass allows him to adapt naturally to different musical settings while bringing his own musical voice to every performance. Javier is active throughout Florida’s music scene and has performed and collaborated with renowned artists and ensembles including Ed Calle, Negronis Trio, Randy Bernsen, C4 Trio, Daniela Padrón, Levi Kreis, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, Sammy Figueroa, and Raíces Jazz Orchestra.
Adolfo Herrera. Caracas, 1975. As drummer and/or percussionist he has participated in over 80 commercial albums, six of them with Latin Grammy nominations. Producer, Musician, Drummer-Percussionist, Musical Director and Actor. He has a degree in social communication from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. He studied at Berklee College of Music from 2002 to 2004. He resides in Miami. He has a nomination for the Carbonell Theater Awards as “Best Supporting Actor in play” due to his performance in the play PAPA CUATRO. His solo work IRREPETIBLE can be found in all platforms and consists of improvised music over poetry and exploring a diversity of subjects as Solitude, Love and Exile among others. His work as producer is featured in Nextflix series “Pálpito” (The Marked Heart) 2nd season (SWAY´s adaptation for the role Nikki Guerra by Mariaca Semprún). He is a LP Artist, Yamaha artist and uses Istanbul Mehmet Cymbals. His versatility ranges from Big Bands to Symphony Orchestras, from Flamenco to Progressive Rock.
Simone Levy is an 11th-grade student at Miami Country Day School, where she plays electric and upright bass. A two-time school “Musician of the Year,” she has won numerous awards for her Solo and Ensemble performances and was invited to play with the All-State Orchestra at the 2025 Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) in Tampa, Florida.
Simone performs in her school’s Classical Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and Contemporary Music Ensemble, as well as an out-of-school jazz combo. She plans to go to college to study music production. Alongside her passion for music, she enjoys going to the gym, playing sports, being with friends, and volunteering in her school and the community.
Cultural Arts Programming at the Deering Estate is made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. Programming in the Deering Estate theater is also possible thanks to The Jorge M. Perez Family Foundation at The Miami Foundation.