| Contact Person: | Aleia Gonzalez |
| Phone: | 785-393-3995 |
|---|---|
| Email: | [email protected] |
| Website: | Youtube Channel |
The Jopará Ensemble performs music from Paraguay blended with harmonies and rhythms from around the world. The word “jopará” is the colloquial language we use in Paraguay, a perfect blend between Spanish and Guarani. This idea of blend, or Jopará, is what the ensemble portrays through their music, combining traditional with more contemporary elements to create a unique sound. The Jopará Ensemble has been together for 1.5 years and have performed in a variety of events throughout the country:
Alejandro Avila
Alejandro is an active performer and educator residing in Kansas. He is the piano faculty and director of the accompaniment area at Barton Community College. At the college, Alejandro teaches piano, organ, and collaborates with the vocal and instrumental ensembles, as well as performs in chamber music settings. He is also a featured artist and faculty at several music festivals during the summer, including the Salt Creek Art Song Festival in Nebraska and the Conero International Piano Festival in Recanati, Italy.
Irene Diaz Gill
Irene is the newly appointed orchestra director at Pittsburg Middle and High Schools. Irene enjoys teaching and playing the cello. She performs regularly with the Jopara Ensemble, which specializes in Paraguayan music, and String Daze, which specializes in fiddle music from around the world.
Aleia Gonzalez
Aleia is the guitar instructor at Barton Community College and Kansas Wesleyan University. She performs in the Kansas City metropolitan area in both solo and collaborative settings. Aleia is a board member of the Kansas City Guitar Society and the Salt Creek Salt Festival.
Ramiro Miranda
Ramiro teaches at Pittsburg State University, while pursuing an active career as a violinist and conductor. He has recently been on tour with Paraguayan jazz pianist Daniel Ayala, and he has also shared the stage with internationally acclaimed classical guitarist Berta Rojas, performing music by Agustin Pio Barrios and Heitor Villa Lobos.
The Jopara Ensemble perform music from Paraguay in original arrangements. The musicians take turns talking about the music, composers and giving the audience a good background on the music and the stories that come with it. Some classic hits include “Recuerdos de Ypacarai” and “Mis Noches Sin Ti”, as well as some original compositions by Ramiro Miranda including “We are Neighbors” and “Celebracion”.
The fee for the Ensemble $1,200 plus a mileage compensation depending on the location of the event.
The members of the Jopara Ensemble could provide masterclasses and chamber music coaching; an educational concert; a workshop or lecture on traditional Paraguayan music.
The Jopara Ensemble would love to connect with the community they are performing in. They would be happy to have a “conversation with the artists” time after or before the concert. The Ensemble would be suitable for a wide variety of venues including concert series, music festivals, universities, public schools, senior and retirement homes. It would also be great to feature the Jopara Ensemble to celebrate Hispanic Heritage.
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