Celebrating the artists shaping the sound, rhythm, and spirit of Napa County

After a successful inaugural year, Amplifi is thrilled to continue its mission investing in the local artists and cultural organizations whose passion, creativity, and cultural roots keep our region’s artistic heartbeat strong. We’re thrilled to announce the next cohort of 2025-2026 Emerging Artists, Organization Grant and Sponsorship Recipients — a group whose work inspires connection, nurtures identity, and brings the arts to life across Napa County.

These annual grants provide direct support to artists and organizations, helping build a more inclusive, vibrant arts ecosystem. From funding training and new performance spaces to supporting community-led workshops and programs, each grant reflects our commitment to amplifying local voices, fostering connection, and inspiring future generations.

Meet the 2025-2026 Emerging Artist Grant Recipients

Each selected artist brings a unique voice, vision, and cultural lens. This year’s panel was moved by the authenticity, craft, and community-centered purpose found in every submission.

• Azalea Aguilar – A writer and filmmaker working between Napa and Mexico City, Azalea Aguilar creates work rooted in memory, migration, and family history. She is adapting her literary projects into short films exploring cross-cultural identity and intergenerational storytelling.
• Christian Robledo – A self-taught multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Christian blends regional Mexican traditions with contemporary sounds, featuring instruments like acoustic guitar, bajo quinto, and an “alteño”-tuned electric bass — honoring heritage while pushing musical boundaries. He’s currently producing a five-song project that fuses corrido tumbado with Italian orchestral influences.
• Elias Rodriguez-Valencia – With a love for performance that began at age four with a breakdance debut, Elias is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in regional Mexican music and narrative ballads. At 14 years old, he is self-taught on tololoche, guitar, and electric bass, reflecting his cultural roots. Elias recently performed at 2025’s La Onda Music Festival with Clave Especial, a milestone moment that has fueled his commitment to pursuing a musical career.
• Jackson U’Ren – A dynamic vocalist, pianist, and actor, Jackson’s early love for performance led to standout roles in major musicals and frequent appearances across Los Angeles. With collaborations alongside Andrew Rannells, Brooke Shields, and Alan Cumming—and a recent performance honoring Diane Warren—he is now channeling his talents into original music set for release.

• Mattea Williams – A Napa-based composer and sonic storyteller whose work blends organic sound design, extended instrumental techniques, and multimedia influences. Her immersive compositions explore nature, magic, adventure, and Afrofuturism, inviting audiences into rich, textured musical worlds.

• Myka Suhr – A rising singer-songwriter whose love for music and storytelling began in childhood. Winner of Idol Napa Valley 2025, she performs locally in ensembles and showcases while creating original pop-infused music that connects and inspires audiences near and far. Keep an eye out — she hopes to release her first original music soon, inspiring audiences far and wide!
• Rafael Manzo – a multidisciplinary college artist working at the intersection of film, theater, music, and dance. A dedicated storyteller, he trains year-round — including summers studying with Broadway performers — and writes scripts for theatre, film, animation, and bilingual stage productions. He is the co-founder of Theater Students United, a student-led group that made it possible for emerging creators to produce original work. Inspired by collaboration and pursuit of knowledge in new subjects, Rafael aims to create art that has an impact across generations and sparks meaningful community connection.

• Richie Bridges – A Bay Area artist, songwriter, and community organizer blending R&B, hip-hop, Latin influences, and bilingual storytelling. Founder of On The Mic and Building Bridges, he creates platforms for emerging performers while connecting local audiences. Having opened for Malachi and Keak da Sneak, Richie just released his first full Spanish-language project and continues expanding his creative impact across Napa Valley.

• Tori Tedeschi Adams – Soprano Tori Tedeschi Adams is a fast-rising force in American opera, known for her luminous voice and magnetic storytelling. This 2025-2026 season she joins The Metropolitan Opera, premieres a new role with Madison Opera, and makes multiple company debuts, including Opera Las Vegas and Modesto. She has appeared with San Francisco Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Houston Grand Opera—earning acclaim as a “lovely, sonorous Liesl” from Opera News.
• Xochitl Hermosillo – As a dynamic creator whose work moves fluidly between music, drawing, and sewing, Xochitl Hermosillo– known as Coyote Creates–is carving out a bold artistic path grounded in storytelling and wonder. With performances for Google, Salesforce and Ferrari, and over 350,000 Spotify streams, she’s building a creative universe shaped by nature, humanity, and imagination.
• Yadhira Torres – With roots in dance, voice, and storytelling, Yadhira is an expressive young artist building a dynamic creative identity. Performances at the Oakland Symphony and Lincoln Center—and a second-place win at the 2025 Amplifi competition—underscore her growing momentum as she begins developing original music that reflects her imaginative and powerful artistic perspective.

2025 Organizational Grant Recipients

This year, we are proud to fund 11 Organization Grant & Sponsorship Recipients, furthering our mission of building a sustainable arts pipeline in Napa County that expands access to world-class creative opportunities. These organizations are championing youth creators, expanding arts education, and cultivating community spaces where culture, creativity and connection thrive. 

2025–26 Grant and Sponsorship Recipients

• IDOL Napa Valley – Showcasing young instrumental talent (ages 12–17) across Napa Valley
• Napa Valley Youth Symphony – Providing training and performance opportunities for young orchestral musicians, from beginner to advanced
• Napa Valley StreamFest – Immersive multidisciplinary festival celebrating film, digital media, and storytelling
• Napa High School Choral Boosters (20th A Cappella Extravaganza) – Annual student and collegiate vocal festival serving youth and community audiences
• Balanced Breakfast Summit – Emerging music-industry summit with showcases and professional development
• Music in the Vineyards – Renowned festival with fellowship opportunities for rising classical performers
• Aeternum Choir – Professional vocal ensemble uplifting Napa’s choral tradition
• Teatro Alebrijes del Valle – Napa’s first Hispanic & Latino theatre group developing community-centered storytelling
• Napa Parks & Rec (Día de los Muertos) – Annual cultural celebration honoring heritage, music, dance, and community traditions
• Napa Valley Music Alliance (Porchfest) – Transforming neighborhoods into community music stages with local musicians

Why These Grants and Programs Matter

When we support local artists and arts organizations, we’re not just funding projects — we’re investing in:

• Future cultural leaders preserving diverse cultural traditions
• Stronger, more connected communities providing safe, expressive spaces
• Safe, expressive spaces for 
• Creative careers that often begin with just one opportunity

This is how we keep the creative ecosystem alive: investing in the inspiring stories and people in pursuit of a dream. Beyond offering financial grants to our Fellows – $5,000 for youth and $10,000 for adults over 18+ – our programs provide up to three years of financial, professional and community development across:

• Group and 1:1 coaching
• Community of creators
• Industry Mentorship
• Workshops and masterclasses
• Marketing and promotional support
• Paid Gigs

We’re grateful to our industry partners for creating access and fostering ideas and opportunities for our Fellows:

• Sound Space Sessions Local Edition – Live at The Garden and produced by Wine Down Media, this intimate setting explores our Fellow’s journey, giving our community an opportunity to listen to the stories behind the music
• Sponsored Events and Ads – unique and inspiring partner programs, as well as advertisements across North Bay’s Best Radio Station, Wine Down Media
• Greenroom Experiences – specially crafted intimate gatherings at sponsored events

❤️ Join Us in Uplifting Local Creativity

If you believe in supporting emerging artists, fostering cultural expression, and strengthening the future of the performing arts in Napa County, we invite you to join our mission.

👉 Support the Amplifi Artist Fund:
https://amplifinapavalley.org/donate/

Let’s continue building a region where artists can thrive, communities can connect, and creativity can flourish for generations to come.