On Saturday, May 17th, CEA and the Conservatory of the Arts celebrated the 2025 Festival of the Arts, Raices, at the Adrienne Arsht Center Ziff Ballet Opera House, home to the second largest performing arts stage in the country. A tradition since 1933, The Conchita Espinosa Festival of the Arts brings together children of all ages to work with a faculty of internationally renowned dancers, choreographers, musicians and visual artists to showcase their talent and artistic development and share with the audience the profound effect the arts can have on young lives.
Beyond alluding to our community’s diverse backgrounds, Raices was about the importance of allowing children to establish their own roots, create their own sense of selves, and water their “seeds” with what they have been given and where they focus their minds and hearts. Raices is Conchita’s legacy, but Raices is also every child’s story – and the transformational power of the Arts in their lives.
Through the Conchita Espinosa Youth Orchestra and Choir, made up of over 100 young musicians, and a cast of over 250 dancers ages 3 through 18, Raices celebrated the process of growth for the young artists at Conchita Espinosa Academy and Conservatory of the Arts—their dreams, choices, risks, joys, obstacles and successes—and the profound connection we have with nature and one another.
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our families for their support, positivity, and enthusiasm at our Festival of the Arts. The Festival is a culmination of the work, discipline, respect, dedication, and love of our faculty, staff, families, and students. Behind each of the 350+ children onstage at the Arsht, there was a village of teachers who prepared them, guided them, and made sure they were well taken care of, confident, prepared, and full of joy! Behind the scenes of what the audience enjoyed is where the true magic happened. Our school and Conservatory faculty and staff were a true display of teamwork, collaboration, respect, belief in Conchita’s philosophy, and unity. Every moment was meaningful and beautiful. Our children were joyous. They were confident. They were able to share their gifts and blossom on the stage. They had true trust in our guidance, and they enjoyed every moment of the evening. We know it will be a memory for all of them that they will forever treasure and that has come with lessons that they can’t even begin to imagine just yet.
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