Marlon Magdalena

FULL BIO

Marlon Magdalena is a tribal member of the Pueblo of Jemez, a federally-recognized tribe in New Mexico where he grew up and currently resides. He is an artist, educator and performer of Native style flutes. Flute and song making is his art and shares his art through the flutes he makes and through his performances. Art has been a large part of his life. He draws and paints but currently specializes in making several types of flutes found in North America. He is also the Instructional Coordinator at the Jemez Historic Site. He educates the public about Jemez culture through numerous presentations and demonstrations that he gives throughout the year. 

His life is centered on his family and community of Jemez Pueblo where he has gained a lot of knowledge, and it is where he continues to learn new aspects of who he is. He proudly participate in all aspects of Jemez Life; like, speaking the Jemez Language, planting Jemez corn, singing Jemez songs, and dancing Jemez dances.

His First Flute 

Marlon bought his first flute in 2007 at a local powwow and fell in love with the sound, the construction, and ease of play. After that moment, he became curious about this wonderful instrument. He researched and learned about Native Flutes on the internet, and his eyes opened up to a whole new world of instruments he didn’t know before. Through his research, he has been able to learn more about his own cultural heritage and he continues to learn more about flutes from Jemez and from other countries around the world.

My Performances

“When I perform I try to present myself in the most respectful way that I can. I dress how a traditional Jemez Man would for any of our special occasions, because that is who I am representing. I also represent the Flute Spirit. In Jemez, we say that if you are performing in the plaza, or at other places, you are performing not only as yourself, but as the spirits you are dancing, drumming or singing for. I sing through the flute, I give the Flute Spirit a voice with my breath, my heart and my mind.”  - Marlon

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Presentations available online:

NM Historic Sites- Jemez Virtual Classroom | How to make Pueblo shields | Flutes and whistles of the Pueblo People | Birding at Jemez Historic Site | Musical Instruments of the Pueblo People | Music with Marlon (Flute music videos) | OAS - Museum of Indian Arts and Culture main exhibit- Marlon Magdalena: Music and Ceremony | Zoom presentation for the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Cortez CO Native American Flutes of North America with Marlon Magdalena | NM PBS Majesty of Music and Math