Composers from the Left Coast
Sunday, November 22, 2009, 7 pm
Sergio “Checo” Alonso
Mexican Harpist
A native of: Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, son of Mexican immigrants from Jalisco and San Luis Potosi
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in ethnomusicology from UCLA in 1999, Master’s Degree in Cross-cultural Education
Began his professional performing career: in 1997 as a member of the world-renowned Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano
Has performed and/or recorded with: Linda Ronstadt, Jose Feliciano, Vikki Carr, Carlos Santana, Caetano Veloso, Lila Downs, Aida Cuevas, Filarmónica de Jalisco, Filarmónica de la Ciudad de Mexico, Filarmónica de Queretaro, Filarmónica de Guanajuato, Chicago Sinfonietta, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Los Lobos, Ozomatli, Little Feat, The Chieftains
Awards: 2006 Durfee Foundation Master Musician Fellowship. 2008 Grammy Award: Best Regional Mexican Album
Other positions: music teacher at San Fernando High School, delegate on the National Association for Music Education’s Mariachi Advisory Committee
Lisa Edwards
Pianist
Official Position: Pianist/Musical Assistant of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
Education: undergraduate studies in piano performance at North Texas State University; MM in Keyboard Collaborative Arts at USC (with honors)
Has performed with: Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony
Recordings: Steve Reich’s You Are (Variations) and Daniel Variations on Nonesuch
Previous faculty positions include: California State University Long Beach, Glendale Community College, Pasadena Community College, Idyllwild Arts Festival
Other positions: San Marino Community Church, Stephen S. Wise Temple, Congregation Kol Ami