Growing up in Mexico, Florencia Cuenca was encouraged to perform from age three by her father, an actor and comedian. She fell in love with holiday music early, listening to Ella Fitzgerald and classic American Christmas albums alongside Las Posadas and los villancicos, the seasonal music of Mexico.
In 2015, Florencia and her husband, composer Jaime Lozano, came to New York for their honeymoon, decided to stay, and began building their careers. Earlier this year, Florencia became the first Mexican-born artist to originate a role on Broadway in Real Women Have Curves.
Soon after moving to New York, Cuenca and Lozano visited a Latino bookshop, where Jaime introduced her to Real Women Have Curves. The story resonated with her as the perfect embodiment of the Mexican-American experience. Eight years later, when she learned it was being adapted for the stage, she knew she was meant to play Estela. Although she was initially told the role had been cast and was offered the ensemble, she stayed persistent through a change in casting directors and ultimately earned the role.
“When I was a young girl in Mexico dreaming about Broadway, I never saw someone like myself. I thought it was impossible to make it because no one looked like me, no one sounded like me.”
Florencia admired Mexican performers like Bianca Marroquín, yet often felt they had different attributes than she did. She strongly believes in representation across styles and backgrounds, so more people can see themselves onstage and believe they can do the same. She points to the current boom of Latin artists embracing their authentic selves as a lesson for everyone, regardless of language, to own who they are through music.
Latin Sounds of the Holidays
Florencia and Jaime have adapted many songs into Spanglish, blending Spanish and English in a way that reflects their lives and audience. She’s excited to bring these Spanglish arrangements to Holiday Pops. The appeal is personal (she jokes that she’s a bit obsessed with December holidays) and meaningful. Her nine-year-old son switches between Spanish and English with ease, a beautiful reminder of celebrating both cultures at once.
Cuenca promises that “even if you’re not a Spanish speaker you’re going to learn some words and sing along.” Sharing this music with people who may not know it and watching them enjoy it is a highlight for her.
What to Expect at Holiday Pops
Florencia will collaborate with guest conductor William Waldrop to weave Spanish into the program and share her love of holiday music and Latin culture with the Springfield community. She’ll perform original songs written with Jaime, including “Christmas at Night” and “Go Tell the Reyes,” which reflect the experience of being far from home during the holidays. “Go Tell the Reyes” centers on missing Three Kings Day while pursuing your dreams which is a balance of joy and longing many will recognize.
Florencia is grateful for how warmly Waldrop welcomed her music into the concert, and to have the opportunity to share a Latin spin on beloved holiday classics with the audience. She hopes listeners leave feeling happy and connected, seeing that we have more in common than we think. This concert is an open invitation to feel welcome and find your place at the Symphony.
Bring your holiday spirit, and be ready to dance!