By: Fernanda Morales
We welcome you to a new edition of «Local Soundtrack», our space to honor the artists who give life and sound to San Miguel de AllendeOn this occasion, we spoke with Yaya Fuentes, a talented traveler originally from Chili whose music is, literally, the sum of the world's stories.
Nowadays, music is Yaya's compass, dedicating herself to singing, guitar and, especially, to Hang, that iconic instrument reminiscent of a flying saucer. For her, musical education is fundamental, as it's not just about technique, but about educating through humanity and love.
He Hang, created in Swiss In 2000, it is the fusion of several instruments. Yaya experienced it firsthand: he worked at the factory where it was manufactured, creating the bronze hoop that composes it. With its millimeter of steel, this instrument emanates celestial music. It is played with the hands, and its shape—similar to a flying saucer with eight chiseled tones on top—seeks to connect with the person who plays it.
"It's my way of sharing my music and also my work as a therapist. This instrument was designed so that people didn't have to go to school to learn it, but rather so that they could connect. It's an instrument with which you can do whatever you want, from the heart."
Yaya's music is a global sonic palette: she fuses rhythms from Venezuela, India, and any melody that comes from her heart.
"For me, music is the sum of the stories I've encountered on my journey around the world. Everything has a story. My concert is called 'The Journey'; we travel to India and Tibet through music and song. It's a fusion of world music."
Yaya is a woman who embraces freedom and encouraged us to travel without constraints, as this experience "helps shrink our egos, broadens our horizons, and makes us realize how small we are" and how much remains to be discovered.
It was thus, traveling so many roads, that she arrived in Mexico on the recommendation of some friends who assured her that her music would connect deeply with the Mexican public. Yaya fell in love with San Miguel de Allende and decided to stay more than six years ago, finding not only her home here, but also her partner. A harmonious connection: she through music, he through gastronomy.
"I've never lived in one country for so long. Mexico has given me the opportunity to experience its beautiful culture."
Yaya has opened the doors of her house, which she called «Rukallanten» (a space that suggests sharing and connecting), turning it into a center for cultural dissemination where she teaches healing ceremonies, creation workshops, and music classes.
She places special emphasis on the importance of protecting children from the inappropriate lyrics often heard on the radio. To counteract this, she offers holistic singing classes for all ages. The "holistic" concept is born from her experience as a composer and traveler, combining meditation techniques, sacred chants in ancient languages, theatrical techniques, and the playfulness of clowning to relax students and ensure an authentic stage presence.
Their goal is for their students' learning to transcend the average.
If you'd like to learn more about her projects, follow Yaya on social media. She'll soon be hosting a session called "Embrace Your Childhood in Song and Color," a space for exercises in voice, expression, psychomagic, and the creation of a powerful personal work of art.
We thank Yaya Fuentes for opening the doors of her "Rukallanten" to us and sharing her beautiful musical journey. Thank you for reading and joining us month after month in this discovery of San Miguel de Allende's vibrant music scene. See you in the next issue!
