Elizabeth Espejel Cruz
National Director, MExico
There has been a significant amount of growth that I Have a Voice Orphans Choir has achieved in Mexico since 2017, much of that growth can be attributed to the diligent work of Elizabeth Espejel Cruz. In her role as the National Coordinator of the IHAVOC Project in Mexico, she understands the work we perform like no other member of our team.
In early 2017, our visionary director, Martha Tellez, contacted Elizabeth and shared her dream that disadvantaged children would be able to access quality musical education to help strengthen their creativity, to empower them and the help develop important life long skills. Looking back, the project has gone from strength to strength, continuing to bring joy to disadvantaged children to help improve their quality of life.
After all of these years, Elizabeth and Martha have developed a strong bond and her favourite thing about the project is seeing the incredible growth it has achieved in its relatively short existence. A credit to both of their hard work, vision and positive attitude.
Elizabeth has now developed a large team of choir masters in Mexico and she credits her team as the major factor that has allowed her to excel in her role. She has focused on having clear objectives, a precise plan and an experienced group of fellow choir directors to help achieve shared goals.
She is currently a professor at the Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores (National School of Higher Education) Morelia Campus and Universidad Montrer (Private University Morelia Michoacán), Artistic Director of the Choral Ensemble of the UNAM (National Autonomus University in Mexico), Centro Cultural Morelia, as well as the National Artistic Coordinator of the project "I Have A Voice Orphans Choir", based in Sydney Australia.
Elizabeth received a recognition of Excellence for teaching in June 2018 and 2019 at Montrer University and in 2019 by COPARMEX (The Employers Confederation of the Mexican Republic.)
Her work has left her feeling very satisfied and content. She is clearly passionate about her work and it shows in her teaching and they way she brings energy and enthusiasm to her work. All of the children feel it and resultantly love having her involved in the classes. Now she is not directly involved with any choirs but has also attested the growth of her team as one of her most satisfying parts to her role.
When asked about what most excites her about the future, she simply said more choirs and more children impacted. Elizabeth clearly understands the profound impact our program has had on the many children already enrolled in our choirs and wants that impact to reach many more children throughout Mexico and around the world.
Born in Morelia, Michoacán, on June 15, 1984, Elizabeth began her musical studies at the age of 10 in the evening workshops of the Conservatorio de las Rosas. She studied music at the Conservatorio de las Rosas graduating with Distinction in 2009 in the specialty of Choral Conducting. She has a master's degree in Technological Education.
She was assistant and artistic director of the Morelia Children's Choir when they made several national tours and two trips to Chicago, Illinois.
She directed, as a guest, the Vienna Boys' Choir on their visit to Morelia in August 2011 and The Chicago Boys' Choir in that city in May 2011.
She has given choral workshops in Yakima Washington, U S A, in May 2013 and 2014.
She was artistic director of the Coro de la Transformación Miguel Bernal Jiménez from April 2014 to September 2019, giving about 60 presentations in various forums in Morelia City, State of Michoacán and Mexico City, highlighting her participation in the Music Festival of Morelia together with important groups from the city, the state and the country.