Alex Llumiquinga Perez (Otter Rock/Salem) is a traditional Andean musician and instrument maker. Perez, whose father gave him his first charango (10-stringed lute), has been passionate about music and instrument making his whole life.
Bio
Alex Llumiquinga Perez was a child when he first started playing music in his native Quito, Ecuador. His father presented him his first charango (10-stringed lute) when Llumiquinga Perez was 12. Their neighbor, a musician and instrument maker, had hand-fashioned the instrument, complete with a panther carving. Since then, music and instruments have been his passion. Prior to moving to Oregon, Llumiquinga Perez toured for several years with the Incan folk group Chayag. For more than 20 years, Chayag has shared and preserved the ancestral music, dance and culture of the indigenous people of the Andes. Llumiquinga Perez continues to perform with the group. In Oregon since 2001, Llumiquinga Perez has performed in a range of venues, including schools, colleges, public libraries, and music festivals. He also makes instruments. Llumiquinga Perez has developed techniques for carving a variety of Andean flutes, including the pan and river cane flutes. Alex Llumiquinga Perez has also been a Master Artist in the Oregon Folklife Network’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program.
