How does an 80 something year old flutist/composer living in Havana start an orchestra in L.A. devoted to playing his music?

The story starts when Fay Roberts traveled to Cuba to study flute with the legendary Richard Egues, of Orquesta Aragon fame. Richard, an innovative virtuoso of the Cuban flute style is also the composer of Cuba's most popular cha cha cha's, El Bodeguero. Richard sent Fay home with enough music and inspiration to start a new Cuban Charanga Orquestra. Though consistent correspondence Richard guided the creation on L.A/s most authentic Cuban dance group Orchesta Charangoa.

Since '97 Charangoa has performed in L.A/s top venues, including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Palladium, the Palace & the Conga Room. Charangoa has opened for Cuba's most famous band, "Los Van Van" and has backed up Israelt Lopez Cachao. Television appearances include KCET's "Holiday Celebration", and KTTV's "Good Day L.A.". Charangoa has also performed in many festivals, including theWatts Towers Jazz Festival, L.A. Cuban Festival, African Marketplace, & the L.A. Salsa Festival.

Fay Roberts leads and plays charanga-style flute in her own band, Orquesta Charangoa, recognized as LA's most elegant and exciting Cuban dance Orchestra. Fay has been to Cuba twice to study charanga style with Richard Egues (flutist of Orquesta Aragon, composer of El Bodeguero). She is also classically trained and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of California at Santa Barbara She is also the music director at the Braille Institute in LA, where she runs an intensive jazz studies program. Fay emphasizes improvisation, rhythmic concepts and theory in her teaching and is an active member of the National Flute Association. Charanga Style Flute: Instruction focusing on understanding charanga-style rhythms with particular emphasis on improvisation and clave principles.