From a Young age, my parents took me to La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, California where I grew up.
La Peña was founded by exiled Chileans in the 70’s and they held many political, cultural, and artistic events. One Andean ensemble captured my dad’s heart: Grupo Raíz🎶.
My dad eventually grew to know the Chilean community well through his leadership in the organization of the Longshoremen in their refusal to load military cargo de Pinochet in 1980. In this way, at six years old I came to know Chile, and the beautiful folk music traditions of Latin America.🙌🏼🎼
Throughout my youth I was fascinated, even mesmerized by the Spanish language and the music of Latin America. Between the ages of 18 and 27 I studied Spanish and folk music in México, Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and Perú. For many years I played in an Andean ensemble. I also directed a Latin American ensemble for children and youth, “Los Mapaches” for thirteen years.🦝✨
