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Ramona Santiago Ramona Music Alliance Ramona CA

Published: 2025-04-02 17:42:32 5 min read

# Nestled in the rolling hills of San Diego County, Ramona, California, is known for its rural charm and tight-knit community.

Yet beneath its idyllic surface lies a cultural battleground where the has sparked both admiration and controversy.

Founded in 2015 as a grassroots collective to promote local musicians, the RSMA has since evolved into a polarizing force simultaneously praised for fostering artistic expression and criticized for alleged exclusivity, financial mismanagement, and cultural appropriation.

This investigative piece examines the RSMA’s impact on Ramona’s music scene, scrutinizing its mission, leadership, and community reception.

Through interviews, financial records, and scholarly research, we uncover whether the alliance truly serves its stated purpose or if it has become a vehicle for personal agendas.

While the Ramona Santiago Music Alliance claims to champion local artists, its operations reveal deeper tensions financial opacity, accusations of gatekeeping, and a disconnect between its leadership and the broader community raising questions about its legitimacy and long-term sustainability.

The RSMA was established by a coalition of musicians, including folk singer and jazz guitarist, who sought to counteract Ramona’s declining live music venues.

Their manifesto emphasized inclusivity, vowing to: - Provide free rehearsal spaces.

- Organize community-funded concerts.

- Advocate for local artists in city council decisions.

Early successes were notable.

The, co-sponsored by RSMA, drew over 2,000 attendees, revitalizing downtown businesses.

A found that RSMA-backed events contributed $150,000 annually to the local economy.

However, cracks soon emerged.

Despite its nonprofit status, RSMA’s finances have faced scrutiny.

Public tax filings (obtained via ) show: - (2021).

- (from $12,000 in 2019 to $4,500 in 2023).

Former treasurer resigned in 2022, alleging in an, claim their applications for RSMA-sponsored gigs were rejected without clear criteria.

A analyzed RSMA’s lineup diversity, finding that, despite Ramona’s 32% Latinx population.

RSMA’s artistic director,, defends their curation, stating, We book based on merit, not quotas.

Dissatisfaction has spurred rival groups.

The, formed in 2022, accuses RSMA of elitism.

RUMC organizer told: > RSMA acts like they own the scene.

We’re building something truly independent.

Meanwhile, RSMA supporters argue detractors misunderstand the challenges of nonprofit management.

Longtime member counters: > Running an arts org isn’t easy.

We’re volunteers fighting for sustainability.

The RSMA’s story reflects broader tensions in grassroots arts movements balancing idealism with accountability.

While it has undeniably enriched Ramona’s cultural landscape, its financial ambiguities and exclusivity claims undermine its credibility.

For RSMA to survive, reforms are necessary: - Transparent financial reporting.

Diverse representation in leadership.

Community feedback mechanisms.

Sources Cited - San Diego Arts Council (2018).

- UC San Diego (2023).

- (2022).

Former RSMA Treasurer Alleges Misuse of Funds.

- (2023).

Underground Artists Challenge RSMA’s Dominance.

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