Andrés Daniel Cisneros Birnbaum is a Venezuelan-born percussionist, vocalist, bandleader, and cultural educator based in Philadelphia. As a performer and bandleader in Salsa, Latin jazz and folkloric ensembles, his work draws from the rich traditions of Latin America and the African diaspora. He is the inventor of the CincoMano™, a hands-on percussion instrument designed for accessible, ensemble-based learning. An experienced teaching artist, Andrés leads interactive programs for learners from kindergarten through adulthood, using percussion, movement, and collaboration to foster creativity and cultural awareness. He holds a Master’s degree in Education and brings an engaging, hands-on approach to every learning environment.
Grade Levels: Kindergarten–12th Latin Rhythms is a dynamic percussion residency designed to introduce students to the rhythmic foundations of Latin American music while fostering creativity, collaboration, and cultural understanding.
Program Type: Workshops / Residencies
Downe Township School
Downe Township School
“The YA Arts Lab program was very fun, educational, and a pleasant experience. The instructor was very informative. His passion for music was evident. He had patience, he was kind, and he was extremely interactive. The students participated in every lesson. They were eager to attend each lesson. He involved all students, encouraged all students, and demonstrated to all students by participating with the instruments.”
Downe Township School
Downe Township School
“We absolutely LOVED working with Andres from Young Audiences! He's an amazing educator. Our 4th-6th grade students were engaged from start to finish. They loved working with the instruments and learning about music from other cultures. The finale performance by 'From Samba to Salsa' was amazing. The group had everyone on their feet and clapping along. We highly recommend this experience.”
“My students had a great time working with our teaching artist. Each week my students were more engaged than the last. The instructor was very active and knowledgeable about the different types of music. Students enjoyed playing the instruments during their lessons and loved the performance from Samba to Salsa.”
Downe Township School
Downe Township School
“The program fostered high levels of engagement and enthusiasm—students who don’t typically participate in traditional classroom settings were especially energized by the hands-on, collaborative nature of percussion. Teachers observed increased confidence, teamwork, and focus among students, as well as stronger connections across grade levels.”