| Ely Freedman has extensive background in Andean music and culture. She was exposed to the music, dance and indigenous languages of the Andes as a child in South America. It was while she was working as managment advisor to the government of Bolivia that she taught herself to play charango. Her rapid finger-picking and romantic interpretation have made her unique among Andean musicians. Ely also plays guitar, violin and a variety of indigenous wind instruments. Ely has performed for Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, and was a guest artist with the CSUSM Andean Ensemble from 1990 to 1993. She has performed with other Andean bands, both locally and internationally, and represented the premier Bolivian group, "Los Kjarkas", in their first appearance in Mexico. |
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| Andres Estrada began playing guitar as a child in Mexico City. He also plays charango and percussion. Multi-talented, Andres is the founder of the salsa band, "Sonidero", in which he plays keyboards and drums.. |
| Yuyapay |
| C. Andres Estrada |
| Genaro Ledesma |
| Luis Alberto Torres |
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| Genaro Ledesma is a master of all Andean instruments. Born in New Orleans, he grew up in Mexico, where he studied classical guitar. But it is on the wind instruments that he truly amazes audiences. Known as one of the finest quena players in the U.S. today, he switches rapidly from one wind instrument to another, adding excitement and depth to the music. In addition to quena and guitar, Genaro plays pan pipes (zampona, rondador, antara) mandolin, and percussion. Genaro has performed with the group "Condor" in Portland Oregon, in concerts and school assemblies. He has toured several western and central states, and performed as a guest artist in Michigan with the group "Papaky". Genaro teaches both guitar and winds. |
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| Luis Alberto Torres was born into a musical family. He has been playing congas since the age of 10, and recently added the sikus and quena to his list of accomplishments. |
| Lita Morales plays a variety of percussion instruments, including Bombo, chajchas and palo de lluvia. In addition to providing the driving, danceable rhythms of Yuyapay, she lends her beautiful alto voice to the group. Lita has performed with the group "Inti Raymi". |
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| Ely Freedman |
| Lita Morales |
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