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Ruben and Rose are both members of an extended musical family that has been playing music in the San Luis Valley and northern New Mexico for generations, and they have both also taken these traditions forward with their own original and more modern music. At a previous Society Hall concert in 2022, Ruben was presented with the Premio award by Herman Martinez of Los Hilos Culturales. The Hilos Culturales Premio Award is awarded to Traditional Folk Artists from the Upper Rio Grande Region; Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. The Traditional Folk Artist Award is given to painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, wood carvers, and many more. Given in recognition to the artists’ contributions to the Spanish tradition and culture of the Upper Rio Grande Region. Ruben was one of the first artists to be given this award at a young age, as most awards are given to those who have been preserving the culture their whole lives. Ruben was the 3rd generation of his family to receive this Traditional Folk artist award.

Rose Vialpando grew up in the midst of a musical family in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. Rose was greatly influenced by the musicians in the family including her mother, and several uncles and an aunt. Gatherings would usually include playing the traditional music of the “culture” Spanish Colonial and also the Northern New Mexico – Southern Colorado style.” Being exposed to the music and song traditions through family, gatherings and traditional events, increased Rose’s love of music and song.

Eventually, moving out of the family home she was away from her familia and away from the tradiciones of the cultura for many years. During this time, she always felt something was missing. One of the catalysts in helping her to return to “la música” was working as a counselor and social worker with women that needed help finding their voices. Because of her work with these women and her own journey to finding her voice and speaking her truth, she was inspired to return to her music. She composed and recorded a CD with the title song, ‘Hallando Mi Voz.’ (Finding My Voice); a little bit different style than “la música tradicional” that she’d grown up with, but it was a beginning of a journey.

Soon after she joined her uncle Salomon Lopez, and formed the performing duo of “Los Cancioneros del Valle.” Rose and Salomon released a two volume CD entitled Dos Voces – Dos Guitarras which features many of the traditional, rancheras, corridos and valses. Rose was also honored in 2017 as the recipient of the “Hilos Culturales Lifetime Achievement Award,” for her contribution in the preservation of the Spanish Colonial Folk Music of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado.

Rose was also honored in 2017 as the recipient of the “Hilos Culturales Lifetime Achievement Award,” for her contribution in the preservation of the Spanish Colonial Folk Music of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado.

Ruben Dominguez was born in Espanola, New Mexico, May 13, 1999 into “La Musica.” Ruben’s father Ramon Dominguez, being a musician since his high school days, played the traditional music of Northern New Mexico, regionally as well as throughout the southwest. His mother, Maria Trujillo Dominguez, also came from a family of musicians. His mother Maria would take Ruben to most of his father’s gigs. Ruben lost his mother at the young age of five years. After her death, Ruben would accompany his father to all his local gigs, and thus was exposed to “La Música Tradicional” at a very young age.

He won his first music competition at Cariños Middle School in Espanola, New Mexico. Although, he was playing different genres of music, his heart was always with “La Musica Tradicional” that he had learned from his father and other family members. In the spring of 2013 Ruben moved to Manassa, Colorado. He had just turned 14 at the time. He came to live with his madrina and his padrino Rose and Alberto Vialpando, since he’d now lost both parents. He began to play music with Rose, and his tio Salomon Lopez who were known as “Trio Los Cancioneros del Valle.”

Ruben attended Centauri High School and continued to hone his music skills as a member of the school band. In 2014 he won 1st prize at the “Adams State University” Pan American Day competition playing his guitar and performing the song “America de los Indios.” In 2016 Ruben received a participant award for his performance of “Primavera” in the New Mexico Hispano Music Association Youth Talent Competition. Ruben has continued his family’s musical legacy through his performances of “La Música” with his madrina and his tio as well as on his own at different venues. Ruben continues to hone his mastery of the guitar and is increasing his repertoire. He is currently finishing a CD recording with Rose and Salomon called “Serenatas.” He is also working on recording his own CD of “musica tradicional.” He will continue this Tradicion through and with his Musica running deep within his veins. Ruben has recently moved to Abiqui, New Mexico, where he also has family members playing traditional music.