Willy Rodriguez of the International Salsa Museum

In this episode, we step inside the vision behind the International Salsa Museum, a grand cultural project dedicated to preserving the history, rhythm, and global impact of salsa music. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with co-founder Willy Rodriguez about what it means to build a museum before the building exists. From pop-up exhibitions to community collaborations, we will hear about how the museum is already alive — fueled by urgency, legacy, and love for music and community. Listen to this conversational exploration of the evolution of salsa in New York, the responsibility of honoring those who came before, and the importance of creating pathways for the next generation. Enjoy this powerful conversation about cultural preservation, collective memory, and the transformative force of music. Visit our podcast page. Visit the International Salsa Museum. Willy Rodriguez, is a professional pianist, musical director, producer, CEO of The Valens Agency, and Co-Founder of the International Salsa Museum. Mr. Rodriguez has been involved in the entertainment industry since he was 15. He has been the musical director of the Tito Puente Jr Orchestra since he was 19 years old and has traveled worldwide, performing in front of thousands of people with his Latin band La Excelencia. Willy Rodriguez has performed for former President Bill Clinton, former First Lady Hillary Clinton, and former Presidents of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernandez and Hipolito Mejia. He has also shared the stage with artists such as the late great Celia Cruz, Juan Luis Guerra, Lauryn Hill, Sade, George Clinton, The Gypsy Kings, Oscar De Leon, Tito Nieves, and Jose Alberto "El Canario." He has worked as a producer/musician with artists such as Bruno Mars, Dafina Zeqiri, and French Montana, to name just a few. In 2012 a salsa tour through Haiti changed his life forever. While in Haiti, he realized that no matter how bad a person's situation can be, music can heal people and for a moment inspire and empower someone or completely change their life. Soon after his tour in Haiti, he started a boutique entertainment agency named The Valens Agency. The Valens Agency offers booking services, management, artist consultation, stage management, and music production to established and upcoming artists, small businesses, and corporations. Through his company, Mr. Rodriguez has been able to develop relationships and has worked with organizations such as the New York Yankees, ESPN, Linkedin, Brooklyn Nets, Jazz at Lincoln Center, A&E Networks, and other major organizations. Lastly, between 2020 and 2021, Mr. Rodriguez became a voting member of the National Recording Academy and Co-Chairman of the Latin Music Task Force for the New York Chapter. Aside from that Mr. Rodriguez was introduced to a major opportunity that would change his life. This major opportunity led Mr. Rodriguez to become the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the International Salsa Museum. He has stated to various media outlets, "I feel like all my dreams are becoming true at the same time with the creation of the Salsa Museum. My passion for music and community is going to shine through this museum and now I get to give back the way I have always wanted to give back." Since creating the International Salsa Museum, Mr. Rodriguez has been featured in Rolling Stones Magazine, Billboard Magazine, Grammy.com, Telemundo, Univision, NBC 4 News, NPR, and other major news outlets. He has also developed relationships with Meta, Google Arts and Culture, Paramount, Gracie Mansion Conservatory, The Smithsonian, and other major organizations that align with his vision of a Salsa Museum in New York City. Willy Rodriguez has been able to experience the world in a way that has opened his mind and spirit in more ways than one. As CEO of The Valens Agency and Co-Founder of the International Salsa Museum, Mr. Rodriguez plans to shine a light on the lack of Music Education, and various cultures that are not being seen or heard and be a role model for the youth, not only in the United States but around the world.