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He was born in Cusco, Peru, the ancient capital of the Inca civilization, and grew up in the old neighborhood of San Blas, renowned for its craftspeople and musicians.  He began performing in a violin orchestra at the age of 7 and learned folk fiddle playing from master Eliseo Yare.

He has recorded with Mochi Parra (2004), Lichi Fuentes (2003), Chaskinakuy (2002), Inkuyo (1994), and Homero Oyarce (1989).  He has been the musical director of De Rompe y Raja, an ensemble devoted to the music and dance traditions from Peru's coastal region, and the groups PeruCanto and Garua.  He has also performed with legendary Peruvian guitarist Carlos Hayre, cajon virtuoso Mangue Vasquez, zapateador Lalo Izquierdo, and Cuarteto Equinoxio, as well as singers Rosa Los Santos and Rafael Manriquez.  Since the 1980's, he has been an active member of the Latin American community in the San Francisco Bay area, collaborating with artists, dancers, youth groups and human rights organizations on numerous cultural projects.

His passion for South America's musical traditions and its rich regional diversity is reflected in his versatility on violin, guitar and mandolin, as well as in his work as a composer.  His compositions incorporate contemporary elements yet are deeply rooted in Peru's music traditions - an amalgam of the musical and cultural influences derived from its indigenous, Spanish and African heritages.  In 1998 he was commissioned a suite for jazz ensemble and Peruvian percussion instruments by the World Repertory Ensemble of San Jose State University.