The Los Angeles City Council held a special commendation on Friday to honor Ronald Wakefield, director of a youth orchestra, for his 30 years of teaching and bringing music to various communities. He has worked with homeless shelters, veterans homes, children’s hospitals, and survivors of human trafficking.
The presentation was led by Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. Councilman Soto-Martinez mentioned that Wakefield and members of his youth orchestra, Orquestra Guadalupana Baja California, came all the way from Tijuana, Mexico for this recognition.
“The Orquestra Guadalupana Baja California is a children’s orchestra in the struggling community of a secluded mountainside on the outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico, where families earn an average of $5 a day,” said Soto-Martinez.
Wakefield founded the orchestra in 2018 after 30 years in California. Since then, they have performed for those in need, with a mission to bring joy and comfort, he added.
Feldstein Soto quoted American composer Leonard Bernstein to emphasize the significance of this youth orchestra: “Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.”
“When I heard these children play in Mexico, and I heard that they were coming to Los Angeles, I knew I had to bring them here so we could all appreciate their deep ties to our community and the beauty of their music,” said Feldstein Soto.
Wakefield expressed gratitude towards the city officials for their invitation and recognition. He had a simple message to share with the Council members and the attendees of the Council meeting.
“What we’re really about is a message for all of you — that we can make a difference in the world,” Wakefield said. “If we do this one thing, just one thing, every person in the world has the ability to change some part of the world. That is to take responsibility for your God-given gifts and talents. Use them the way they were really meant to be used.”
Adriana Cortez, a member of Orquestra Guadalupana, spoke to the Council members to share her experience of playing music for others.
Cortez expressed gratitude towards the orchestra for providing her with opportunities to travel, experience wonderful things, and connect with other talented musicians.
“This has motivated me to continue even though sometimes it has been difficult because of the situation in Tijuana,” Cortez said.
Cortez mentioned that the orchestra consists of over 40 children. She reiterated their shared goal when they play music — to spread their melodies and make a positive impact on the places and people they encounter.
With those final remarks, Wakefield led his students in a performance for the attendees in the Council Chambers.
Councilman Soto-Martinez announced that Orquestra Guadalupana will also be performing at a community resource fair on Saturday. The event will take place at Lemon Grove Park, 4959 Lemon Grove Ave, at noon.
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