The Cliff Valley World Music Ensemble held a performance on Thursday evening celebrating the music of Central and South America with selections from Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala and Jamaica.

The World Music Ensemble, lead by music teacher Peggy Benkeser, is comprised of 40 students in third to sixth grades with an interest in learning and performing music from around the world. Thursday's performance in the new Cliff Valley Performing Arts Center featured Guantanamera, a Cuban folk song, the Trinidadian calypso song Marianne, a Mexican children's tune Vibora de La Mar, and the always rousing La Bamba, among others. 

Past concerts have featured music from West Africa, Indonesia, South America, and Europe. The ensemble, using percussion instruments, guitars, recorders and vocals also composes and performs their own original pieces.