Música with Sonia De Los Santos

Jul 01, 2025

When Sonia De Los Santos takes the stage, it’s more than a concert—it’s a celebration!

With a career that has taken her from Monterrey, Mexico to stages around the globe, De Los Santos’ songs carry messages of inclusion, kindness, and wonder. Her music blends catchy rhythms —ranging from festejo to cumbia to traditional Mexican folk —with billingual lyrics.

De Los Santos returns to Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods with her all-female band on July 12, kicking off Todo Sonido Festival. Before the musical fiesta starts, De Los Santos shared more about her journey, the importance of representation, and how she creates songs that bring joy across generations. ¡Vamos!

Music, Memories, and Monterrey

De Los Santos’ love for music began in the most meaningful place possible: home.

“I started my singing career at home, just casually singing with my mom,” she recalls fondly. “She loved to sing.”

De Los Santos’ early days in Monterrey grew into a childhood spent performing in local bands and school musicals. In 2005, she moved to New York City, where her dream of pursuing a professional music career blossomed after an unexpected audition with Grammy Award-winning Dan Zanes and Friends. (Catch Dan + Claudia Zanes at Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods on July 19!)

“That [audition] completely changed my life. I joined the band, made some records with them, [and] toured around the world,” she says. The experience not only sparked her passion for children’s music but also shaped her mission: to create authentic songs rooted in Mexican and Latin American culture, sung through her own lens.

A Bilingual Bridge

As a bilingual artist, De Los Santos uses music to introduce young audiences to Spanish while honoring her own identity.

“Some songs just come to me in English, some in Spanish. I let that flow,” she explains. “I think music is a great way of learning another language. It’s part of how I learned how to speak English.”

Whether a track is in English, Spanish, or both, De Los Santos makes it accessible and joyful for her listeners. “I’m trying to do my part to introduce children and families to music in Spanish…and share a little bit about my culture.”

Her all-female band was formed in New York City, and each member brings their own story, experience, and insight to the performances. That energy is woven into their show, creating space for shared experiences across languages and generations.

“Representation matters,” she affirms. “Seeing ourselves portrayed in all forms of art, it’s so important. Seeing someone speaking or singing our language on a big stage is huge.”

Special Stories That Sing

De Los Santos’ songwriting pulls from both her past and present. “There’s a lot of inspiration in my own childhood,” she reflects. “I was a little girl once, I haven’t lost touch with that part of me.”

She also looks to the world around her, pulling from real-life inspirations. “I write about what’s happening today… Sometimes the songs are just for fun, and they bring joy, but sometimes they open the door to bigger conversations. They plant seeds.”

Whether it’s a playful tune about a train ride or a heartfelt message about chasing dreams, De Los Santos is intentional with every lyric. “I want families to feel inspired—not just to listen to music, but maybe to make it themselves. Join a choir, start a little family band, or support someone in their life who’s pursuing a dream.”

Todo Sonido Fest

De Los Santos’ upcoming performance at CTITW kicks off a special, new event: Wolf Trap’s Todo Sonido Festival!

“I want to invite families to come out to Wolf Trap. It’ll be a great festival. Come ready to dance, sing along, have some fun, and invite your neighbors. It’s a great time to celebrate music, to celebrate our Latin American culture.” 

Catch Sonia De Los Santos at Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods on July 12 experience the musical talents of Latin artists across generations at Todo Sonido.