Program Information
As we remember those who have passed, the sounds and spirit of Mexico come alive. Featuring Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, Ponce’s “Estrellita,” and Moncayo’s Huapango, as well as Elgin singer José Carlos Diaz, violinist Alejandra Switala, and Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl (BFH).
Chad Goodman, conductor
Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl (BFH)
José Carlos Diaz, vocals
Alejandra Switala, violin
Ticket Information
Seating is general admission
Adult tickets $20
Students and children ages 17 and under receive free tickets with code LLORONA at checkout. ID required at the door. Limit 5 per order.
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Named Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras in 2025, Chad Goodman has served as Music Director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra since 2023. In his first three seasons he led the ESO premieres of more than twenty works, increased community engagement through run-out concerts and captivating presentations, and spearheaded the orchestra’s first-ever Día de los Muertos concert, uniting the symphony with folkloric dance and vocals in a city-wide cultural celebration.
For the 2026-27 concert season, Goodman has been appointed a Conducting Fellow of the San Diego Symphony. Recent guest conducting highlights include performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Utah Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Pacific Symphony, and North Carolina Symphony.
From 2019 to 2023, Goodman held the position of Conducting Fellow of the New World Symphony and Assistant Conductor to Michael Tilson Thomas. In addition to leading the orchestra on subscription, education, and special event programs, he collaborated with videographers, animators, and light designers to push the boundaries of how classical music can be presented. Goodman has also served as an Assistant Conductor to the San Francisco Symphony where he worked alongside conductors including Esa-Pekka Salonen, Herbert Blomstedt, and Elim Chan.
Highlighting his work on and off stage, Forbes hailed him as “An entrepreneur bringing innovation to classical music.” In 2022 he published the book You Earned a Music Degree. Now What?, which teaches musicians the business skills needed to successfully navigate the music world.
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Ballet Folklórico Huehuecoyotl (BFH) is a nonprofit cultural arts organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the beauty of Mexican folkloric dance. Founded in 1996 by Julian Hernandez, BFH has evolved from a youth activity into a multigenerational ensemble committed to celebrating heritage through movement, music, and community engagement. The establishment of our children’s group in 2000, under the guidance of Cynthia Hernandez, has enabled BFH to continue passing traditions forward and inspire young dancers to embrace their cultural roots.
Now celebrating 30 years, BFH has brought Mexico’s regional dances to life through vibrant performances, educational outreach, and collaborations that honor the stories and symbolism behind each tradition. Our ongoing partnership with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the Día de los Muertos program reflects a shared commitment to cultural celebration, artistic excellence, and fostering meaningful community experiences.
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Mexican-American violinist Alejandra Switala began her musical studies at the age of four in Texas and moved to Chicago in 2010 to study with Roland and Almita Vamos. She made her solo debut with the Ft. Worth Symphony at the age of 13 and has since performed as a soloist with orchestras including the New World Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and the Cleveland Orchestra as well as many orchestras in the greater Chicago area. A featured artist on NPR’s ‘From the Top’, ‘Performance Today’, and Chicago’s WFMT’s ‘Introductions’, Alejandra is a top prize winner at the Sphinx Competition, the Cooper International Competition, and the Klein International Competition, where she won special awards for her performances of both Bach and a commissioned work by Richard Festinger.
Alejandra has participated in international festivals such as the Perlman Music Program, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Encore School for Strings, and was a participant in the 2016 Grant Park Music Festival Project Inclusion Program.
Alejandra has studied with members of the Cavani, Orion, Borodin, and Guarneri string quartets and is a recent graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music where she studied with Ida Kavafian and Pamela Frank.
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José Carlos Díaz, Mexican-American musician, singer, and producer, began singing at an early age as he participated in cultural events in his home city of Elgin, IL.
In 2016, José Carlos participated in the Univision program “La Banda” in Miami, marking a significant milestone in his career. Two years later, he enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Valencia, Spain, where he performed in “Les Misérables” and honed his skills in music theory and production under various renowned teachers.
Completing his Bachelor’s Degree at Berklee’s home campus in Boston, he took part in the “Berklee Signature Series,” sharing the stage with Aida Cuevas. In 2022, he graduated with honors as a Music Producer and Tenor. José released his debut Bolero LP, “Cosas Imposibles,” in 2025.