Southwestern literature, with a focus on works by Mexican Americans in New Mexico. She teaches classes on Chicano Movement Literature and Native American Literature. Michelle Abeyta began her life long career as a singer at the age of 14 in Pueblo and has been a professional soloist for the past 25 years. She is well known throughout Colorado and the Southwest for her contributions to preserving folk music of the Southwest. Michelle sings various styles of music, including mariachi, classical, sacred and country. Her award-winning work as a folk artist is recorded in the Smithsonian Archives. Mich