Santiago Fernández

Santiago Fernández has been active in parish music ministry for the past 20 years. He is currently Music Minister at St. Michael Parish in Pontiac, Michigan, where he directs the English and Spanish choirs.

Santiago also works for the Archdiocese of Detroit as Hispanic Ministry Consultant and is a frequent speaker and workshop presenter at events and conferences around the country in the area of Hispanic liturgical music. He holds a bachelor's degree in music from Wayne State University in Detroit and is certified in both Pastoral Ministry and Liturgical Ministry, locally by the Archdiocese of Detroit and nationally by the USCCB's Commission on Certification and Accreditation.

A member of the National Advisory Council to the USCCB from 2000 to 2004, Santiago is currently Music Director for the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM), instructor for the Instituto Fe y Vida and Liturgy & Prayer coordinator for the First National Encuentro for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry 2006. He has also participated at various events of the Archdiocese of Detroit as guest conductor, cantor and consultant.

Santiago won three Unity Awards from the UCMVA (United Catholic Music and Video Association) in October 2006, for best international artist, CD and song.