Un Paso Alante:
Master Class Clinics
LP21’s Un Paso Alante (UPA) is a program consisting of master class clinics for adults with guest master practitioners in area-focused sessions, such as regional styles and solo concepts in Bomba and Plena percussion and dance.
UPA: Sonoridad y técnica del güícharo en La Plena
📅 March 24, 25, & March 26, 2026 6:00pm-7:30pm
📍 Julia de Burgos Cultural Center 1680 Lexington Avenue, El Barrio NYC
$25 each class
Space limited, pre-registration highly encouraged
🎟 Register today!
🎶 Los Pleneros de la 21 presents: 🎶
Un Paso Alante: Sonoridad y técnica del güícharo en La Plena
A three part series teaching the techniques and sound of the güícharo en La Plena
LP21’s series of master class clinics and specialty workshops returns with a special three-part session that celebrates the musical expressions and adornments provided by el güícharo - the scratcher instrument - in La Plena.
Every evening builds upon each other, exploring a specific concept to the güícharo and its musicality–from differences of the güícharo sound in ensemble settings and plenazos, to musical dynamics and conversations in sound, improvisation and more.
March 24 – with Carlos Espada
Fundamentals of the güícharo.
March 25 – with Sandra García Rivera
Plena technique, exploring Plena Moderna and Plena Tradicional, and how live dynamics influence playing.
March 26 – with Juan “Juango” Gutiérrez
Musicality and the güícharo across styles and genres, plena, seises and aguinaldos
Join one or join all to learn more about the diverse creative and instrumental layers of La Plena puertorriqueña!
No prior experience necessary. Participants are encouraged to bring their own güícharo (instruments available on a first come, first served basis).
About our facilitators:
Carlos Espada: Carlos Espada (born 1970 in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico) is a New York–based percussionist and singer, currently the lead singer and percussionist for Los Pleneros de la 21 and Kinto Zonó. (Photo credit: Krystal Pagan)
Sandra García Rivera: Sandra García Rivera is a New York–born Nuyorican poet, vocalist, and güícharo player who has performed and recorded with numerous world music, Latin jazz, and bomba-plena artists, and is a longtime practitioner of Puerto Rican plena and bomba traditions. (Photo: Courtesy of artist)
Juan “Juango” Gutiérrez Rodríguez: Juan J. “Juango” Gutiérrez Rodríguez (born March 8, 1951, in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a New York–based percussionist and cultural leader, best known as the founder and longtime former director of Los Pleneros de la 21. (Photo credit: Krystal Pagan)
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The Un Paso Alante series is made possible in part by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council, the Offices of NYC District 8 Council Member Elsie Encarnación, the New York State Council on the Arts, The Rooted and Relational Community Grant made possibly by the Centro for Puerto Rican Studies and Michigan State University, and Sirius XM.
- - - UPA CANCELLATION POLICY - - -
24 hours' notice before class start time is required to receive a refund or transfer credit.
Refunds available only for individual session purchases. Full session purchases are not eligible for refunds..
For more info: programs@lp21.org
Former UPA guest instructors have included Dr. Pablo Luis Rivera (AFROLegado, Historia y el arte del baile de Bomba), Ivelisse Díaz (Canto, Historia y Etiquetas de Bomba), Julia L. Gutiérrez-Rivera, Nelson Mateo González (Baile de Bomba), Juan Manuel Usera (Baile de Bomba), Kily Vializ (La Plena en la Tradición Mayagüezana), and Juan “Llonsi” Martínez (Composición y Cántico en la Plena).
This video offers a brief look at selections from LP21's 2018-19 Un Paso Alante Masterclass Series. First - Canto de Bomba w/Ivelisse Diaz on 5/2/2019, reviewing staple songs from the repertoire of Bomba, and practicing singing with maraca in the correct rhythms. Next - Canto de Plena w/Tito Matos on 5/28/2019, where each student gets a chance to sing a refrain, learning how to compose on the spot in the tradition of true Pleneros.
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This program is part of LP21's Bomba & Plena for All: Learning through the Arts Initiative, made possible in part with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and generous contributions from individuals like you!
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If you still have problems, please note that credit card payments can also be made on site, at the door, the day of class. Thank you all for your participation!
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