The distinguished instructor and percussionist from the Municipal Center of the Arts (CMA) will participate in the 54th edition of the Cervantino International Festival alongside the renowned SAFA Percussion Ensemble.
-His leadership also drives the CMA Percussion Forum, a group selected to be part of the lineup for the 2026 Sinaloa Cultural Festival.
The passion for music, discipline, and talent cultivated at the Municipal Center of the Arts will transcend borders to resonate on the country’s premier artistic stage: the Cervantino International Festival. Instructor Max Johe Carreón Aguilar—a key educator at the CMA, a virtuoso percussionist, and an active member of the Mazatlán Camerata—will proudly represent Mazatlán and Sinaloa at this iconic cultural celebration.
Carreón Aguilar will perform on Friday, October 9, at 5:00 PM at the Templo de la Compañía in Guanajuato as a member of the SAFA Percussion Ensemble, one of the most influential and respected contemporary music groups in Latin America.
During the concert, the ensemble will perform a program demanding immense technical skill and interpretive maturity, featuring *Pléïades*—a monumental creation by Greek composer Iannis Xenakis—and *Drumming*, a masterwork by American composer Steve Reich.
For Carreón, this achievement solidifies over four years of intense creative collaboration with SAFA, a period during which he has brought his art to various stages across the Americas. His experience, discipline, and artistic commitment were instrumental in securing this invitation and taking on the challenge posed by these works. “It is a pleasure and an honor to represent Sinaloa, Mazatlán, and the CMA. This is my second time participating in the Cervantino Festival—the first was with the Federal Police Symphonic Band several years ago—but performing with SAFA holds special significance because, since arriving in this region, I have shared a commitment with them to strengthen the development of percussion music both within and outside Mexico,” the musician stated.
Maestro Max Carreón’s participation in the Cervantino International Festival continues a period of intense professional activity and underscores the high caliber of the instructors at the Municipal Center for the Arts (CMA). He will travel to Guanajuato from October 7 to 10, backed by an academic community that views his career as a reflection of the CMA’s excellence and its spirit of mentorship.
A Harvest of Talent: From the CMA to Sinaloa
Maestro Max Carreón’s calling extends beyond international stages; his vision as an educator has driven transformation for new generations. At the helm of the CMA Percussion Forum—a project developed alongside talented alumni from the CMA’s School of Music—he has created a dynamic space for training, dialogue, and artistic creation.
This effort is now bearing new fruit: the Sinaloa Institute of Culture (ISIC) has selected the CMA Percussion Forum to join the official program of the 2026 Sinaloa Cultural Festival. The group will present two special concerts (the first tentatively scheduled for October 22 in Mazatlán, with the second date yet to be confirmed).
The accomplished percussionist believes the ensemble—comprising Charlette Veytia, Francisco López, Javier Brito, Daniel Audelo, and Miguel Moreno (most of whom are CMA alumni)—captivated the selection committee with a modern, colorful, and versatile percussion program. He highlighted the project’s continued growth; it began as a gathering place dedicated to study, the exchange of experiences, and exploring the world of percussion, and has now established itself as an ensemble.
“The project is moving forward and taking shape as an ensemble; the plan is to form a non-profit association and branch out into areas such as logistics, education, and cultural and artistic promotion. As part of these efforts, we applied to a competition organized by ISIC and were selected,” stated Max Carreón.
With achievements like these, the Municipal Center for the Arts—part of the Mazatlán Institute of Culture, Tourism, and Art—reaffirms the value of its instructors and students, whose dedication transforms the CMA classrooms into true breeding grounds for cultural excellence.
