Maria & Yahvi Perform Traditional Mexican Music
September 12, 2008

Maria McCullough and Yahvi Pichardo perform traditional Mexican music at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Friday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Most of the young couple's repertoire comes from the states of Guerrero, Michoacan, Jalisco and Veracruz.

Both musicians were classically trained before immersing themselves into the complexities of Mexico's regional music, are also established music educators. Armed with a degree in music education, Pichardo has developed a curriculum in Mexican folk music for students K-12. He currently teaches general music, composition, orchestra and folk music ensemble at Chicago's Multicultural Arts School. McCullough, who combines an acting career with music performance, is one of the founders of The House Theatre of Chicago where she works as both an actor and musician. She holds a fine arts degree from the University of Southern California.

The duo met in 2002 while performing the acclaimed Sones de Mexico Ensemble. They also perform with a family group called Los Pichardo. They delight in putting their music in context, explaining its roots in the diverse regions of Central Mexico. They also encourage audience participation.

Pichardo who began exploring the world of traditional music as a toddler accompanying his father on trips throughout his native Mexico, plays trumpet, guitar, jarana jarocha, vihuela, quinta huapanguera, and percussion. McCullough, who says she was fortunate to be allowed to focus on her violin skills from the age of six on. She also plays viola, guitar, flute and jarana jarocha.

Both Pichardo and McCullough currently teach music to people of all ages at Little Village Lawndale High School and the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. They will offer workshops at local schools during their stay in Sonoma County.

Information on our upcoming concerts is available at Sebastopol Center for the Arts at 829-4797.