Cristina Cendejas

Choir master

Cristina Cendejas started with IHAVOC in November, 2023 and is the choir master for Centro de Renovación y Promoción Femenina Oláez A.C. in León, Guanajuato.

Cristina is more than a choir teacher; she's a catalyst for artistic and human development, shaping the lives of young girls at the Jesús house in León Guanajuato. As she puts it, her fundamental role is to "promote the artistic and human development of girls through choral singing, offering them a different life experience and letting them know what they are capable of doing."

With a musical journey that started in a church choir at the tender age of 5, Cristina brings a unique blend of empathy and musical expertise to IHAVOC.

"I spent my entire childhood accompanied by choral music. Which was decisive in my personal development, but above all in the transformation of my own social environment."

This transformation was so impactful that it led Cristina to formal education in music, graduating in Piano from the Higher Institute of Sacred Music of Morelia and specialising in Choral Conducting.

Cristina's commitment to I Have a Voice Orphans Choir took root after years of closely following the project. Her involvement was solidified when circumstances aligned, leading her to become the intermediary between the Valladolid Institute and IHAVOC for a concert in Morelia. She describes this as a moment when "life made it simple, and I am grateful for that. I received a call, a few messages, and the following week we started the choir with the girls from the Casa de Jesús."

The magic happens for Cristina when she witnesses the girls listening to themselves, realising the beauty of their own voices.

"My favourite part of this work is when the girls listen to themselves or each other and are surprised by the beauty of their own singing."

Their faces light up with newfound confidence, and the smiles speak volumes. The impact is tangible when, at the end of class, the girls eagerly express gratitude, eagerly anticipating the next session. As Cristina puts it, "at the end of class they come up to me and say: thank you teacher, we'll wait for you tomorrow!"

For Cristina, success in IHAVOC is not just measured in musical achievements but in the profound attitude shift observed in the girls and their caregivers. Success is when excitement builds for the next class, and the girls actively contribute to the repertoire with their song suggestions.

"the success in this project, for me, is measured one hundred percent with the change in attitude of the girls, their caregivers."

Looking ahead, Cristina is excited about IHAVOC's future. The increasing participation of centres across the country gives her hope in humanity, affirming that individuals like our Founder, Martha Tellez, are making a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable children. She envisions a future where IHAVOC gains more visibility, reaching more people who can contribute, disseminate, and become allies—becoming the unsung heroes who, through their actions, change lives.

Find out more about her group on their page - Centro de Renovación y Promoción Femenina Oláez A.C.