Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrés Salguero & Christina Sanabria.
Hi Andrés & Christina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Andrés: I started as a performer. As a young child, I started studying the clarinet at the Conservatory and then in college, and then in grad school. As a graduate student in music, I performed with the Symphony, in chamber music, and I also played in lots of other bands, from rock to Norteña to Latin Jazz. It wasn’t until after I finished graduate school that I decided to perform music for children and families full-time.
Christina: And I started as an educator. Before being part of 123 Andrés, I was a public school teacher in Philadelphia. We started performing concerts and pretty soon, we were traveling all over the US to perform. We love ATX and get to perform here several times a year, whether it’s school assemblies for preschoolers or elementary students or at a theater for the whole family to enjoy on a weekend.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Andrés: Fortunately for us, bilingual music and concerts in Spanish and English is something that a lot of families are looking for! We’ve met so many friends in Austin and all over the US that want their kiddos to learn Spanish or who already speak Spanish at home and want a fun way to reinforce it. Christina: As artists, just like any small-business owners, the path to growth isn’t always clear. We do our best, and we’ve had incredible accomplishments – winning a Latin Grammy, being nominated for a GRAMMY in 2022, publishing three bilingual books – and we keep our focus on that when we are in a room creating something new or in a meeting with a new partner, or going for a new opportunity, not always knowing if it will pan out! For us, word-of-mouth has been very powerful. Teachers are always looking for resources and many find our songs useful in the classroom, and they tell other teachers. Families also share with each other. So, at the end of the day, we want our concerts to be authentic and joyful experiences, so folks come back and tell a friend!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Christina: We are a husband-wife duo, 123 Andrés. We create songs, videos and books and perform at concerts where we get the whole family dancing and learning in Spanish and English. We’ve performed all across the US and in Latin America, and in Austin we’ve performed at the Austin Public Library’s amazing Central Library, at the Austin Scottish Rite Theater, and at many schools in the city and metro area. Andrés: We are proud to be a cultural connection for so many families! At our concerts, we see kiddos whose families are from Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and many other places. I was born in Bogotá, Colombia. I started studying music as a child and originally moved to the US to continue studying music.
Christina: My parents were born in Colombia and I was born in the US, speaking two languages. And just like us, there are so many families growing up bilingually in the US! Our concerts are interactive, with lots of energy, and lots of opportunities to dance, move and use your imagination. We are proud to share that with families of all kinds, and for those who have a special interest in Spanish, that it can be a bilingual experience as well!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Christina: We’ve been so grateful to find synergies with people who are doing things that are related to our work. Big shout out to Mi Casa es Tu Casa, a woman-owned small business in Austin that offers in-person and virtual baby and toddler music classes that introduce and reinforce Spanish for little ones and their families. Laura at Mi Casa es Tu Casa has built an incredible ATX “bilingual kids” community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to help each other. When we have a concert in Austin, she helps share the info to her community, and since we travel to other cities, we can tell families in other parts of the US about her virtual programs. Recommended!
Andrés: I learned that sometimes life puts mentors in our path, even though we are not expecting it. When I was in graduate school in Kansas City, Dino O’Dell, a children’s musician in Kansas City, was looking for someone to play sax in his band and found me through another musician. I started in Dino’s band, and it was through that experience that I first considered becoming a kids’ music performer and eventually decided to create our own project, 123 Andrés. So, be open to finding mentors unexpectedly and even heading in a new direction. Then, stay in touch! It’s hard to do but spending time talking with old friends is really valuable, both for our health and also to keep your network active. We are proud to call SaulPaul, another kids’ music artist and entrepreneur who is based in Austin, TX, a friend. When we’re in town, we try to see him in person, and when in the meantime, we follow his updates on social media and via text. He’s always making moves, and we recommend you check him out!
Pricing:
- Hola, Amigo / Hello, Friend – bilingual book $9 online
- Diez Pajaritos / Ten Little Birds – bilingual book $9 online
- Mi Comunidad / My Community – bilingual book $6 online
Contact Info:
- Website: 123andres.com
- Instagram: @123conandres
- Facebook: @123conandres
- Twitter: @123conandres
- Youtube: youtube.com/123andres
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1KrkVZFQx2EadAriogq5T9
Image Credits
Andres and Christina onstage with birds graphic – John Wang Andres and Christina in front of blue/ white brick building – Dominick Williams GRAMMY photo, “welcome to our school” – Andrés Salguero Christina holding book – Andrés Salguero Andrés with striped shirt – Francisco Serrano Christina with purple shirt – Hilary Shure Saxophone – Jose Piña Duarte
