Hartt Salsa All-Stars Bring the Beat to D.C.

The All-Stars gave a half-hour performance to wind up Education Secretary Miguel Cardona's Educación en Acción Summit earlier this week. The day-long event featured leaders in higher education, best-selling authors, Latino influencers, and even a few celebrities.

Salsa music star Frankie Negrón and singer/actor Mauro Castillo (Encanto) spoke with the group about their inspirational careers, giving them valuable advice and encouragement. Later, Negrón and Castillo went up on stage and performed a few numbers with the All-Stars. By the end of the show, the audience was on its feet and dancing, and the young performers were riding high.

Despite the group's name, the nearly two dozen members of the Hartt Salsa All-Stars come from several of UHart's seven schools and colleges. The group was founded in 2022 by composer and percussionist Nino Ciampa and is the first UHart music group devoted entirely to salsa music.

Before their set in the LBJ Auditorium, the All-Stars got a special tour of the White House with Secretary Cardona, walking the grounds, taking photos in the press briefing room, and playing a few frames in the Truman Bowling Alley.

The Educación en Acción Summit was the culmination of the U.S. Education Department's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.