Name: Alturas Duo
Hometown: Hartford, CT
Instrument: Viola, Guitar & Charango

Hailed as playing with “..marvelous virtuosity.." by the Washington Post, the ALTURAS DUO is being recognized as one of the most entertaining ensembles in the chamber music world today. Formed with the idea of performing and promoting South American and classical music by integrating the strengths and beauty of the viola, charango, and guitar, the ALTURAS DUO musicians have combined their talents to craft a seamless blend specializing in the rhythms and dances of the Andes. Constantly looking for new materials and collaborations, they have performed with many diverse artists including the Chilean flutist and folkloric instrumentalist GONZALO CORTES, charango virtuoso ERNESTO CAVOUR, cellists JENNIFER COMBS and JASON DUCKLES as well as violinist ANTHEA KRESTON. They form a part of the ATACAMA ENSEMBLE that performs folk and classical music with wind and percussion instruments from the Andes. Strong proponents of new music, the Duo has worked closely with many composers and have recently premiered pieces by TOM SCHUTTENHELM, JAIME ROMERO, DAN ROMAN, GARRY ANTONIO, ALBERTO CUMPLIDO, JAMES ARGIRO and JAVIER FARIAS. The duo has performed and lectured extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, Bolivia and Chile including concerts for The Choral Arts Society of Washington, D.C., the Evanston Unitarian Church concert series, the Hartt School International Guitar Festival, The Latin American Folk Institute in Maryland, the Chilean Embassy in Washington D.C., The Museum of Bolivian Instrumetns in La Paz, Bolivia, The Mexican Cultural Institute, The International Guitar Festival "Entre-Cuerdas", in Chile and the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society. They have held residencies at the Lyrica String Festival, the Hartt School of Music, are founders and artistic directors of the Simsbury Chamber Music Festival. In addition, they have recorded for Brioso and Naxos records and have been featured as performers on NPR and Radio Beethoven in Chile. In addition they have placed second in the New England International Chamber Music Competition. For more information, or to book the duo please visit our web site: www.alturasduo.com The name Alturas (Spanish for 'heights') is derived from the poem, "Alturas de Macchu Picchu" by the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda (1904-1973). CD available at www.brioso.com ALTURAS DUO email: info@alturasduo.com, Scott Hill, guitar (860) 242-6668, Carlos Boltes, viola & charango (860) 243-8042 14 Regency Drive Apt#1 Bloomfield CT U.S.A 06002

Name: Prego-Viszmeg Duo
Hometown: Hartford, CT
Instrument: Violin and Piano

KATALIN VISZMEG was born in Mako, Hungary where she started her musical studies at an early age. She received both bachelors and Master’s degrees in the prestigious Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. She has been awarded many prizes in her country of origin such as the 3rd prize on the National Violin Solo Competition, or the Special Prize in the Chamber Music Section of the above mentioned Contest. Her career as a soloist includes performances at the age of 12 in the National Radio Channel, or the Violin Concerto by Sibelius with the Bela Bartok Young Orchestra, as well as Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and Beethoven's violin concerto with various ensembles throughout Hungary. She came to USA in 2001 enrolling in the Graduate Program of the Hartt School of Music of the University of Hartford, under the supervision of Professors Mickey Reisman and Anthea Kreston, with whom she collaborated for two years in the Sleeping Giant String Ensemble. She was admitted in the 20/20 Chamber Music Program that gathers the most talented students of the School. In the year 2005 she finished her Artist Diploma degree and won the First Prize in the Paranov Competition. Currently assistant Concert mistress and principal of the second violin section in the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, member of the Arensky Piano Trio and the Sylveen String Quartet, which had its debut at the Carnegie Hall in 2004, Viszmeg has kept collaborating with prominent figures of the music world, such as the two-times Grammy Award winner Larry Combs, cellist Jason Duckels, the Alturas Duo… She is presently a violin teacher and chamber music coach at the Community Division of the Hartt School of Music. KATALIN VISZMEG is available to teach violin. Call 860-243-8042 JORGE PREGO was born in Vigo, Spain, where he started the studies in piano with Professor Vladimira Smausova; he will obtain later the Bachelor’s Degree in the Conservatory of Music of the city. Within those years he expands his knowledge with Master classes and seminaries with musicians like Nelson delle Vigne-Fabri, Boaz Sharon, Tom Mastroianni,etc In 2001 he meets the renowned pianist and pedagogue Luiz de Moura Castro, with whom he studies in the Escola Juan Pedro Carrero in Barcelona. In 2002 he is invited to play in that city in the live radio show Tutto Demestres, in COMRadio Channel, as well as in the Casa Elizalde Concert Series. In 2003 he was granted a scholarship from the Hartt School of Music to pursue graduate studies with Professor de Moura Castro. Currently Prego continues his graduate studies in the Hartt School, while he works as Director of Music of the Catholic Communities of East Hartford North, comprised by the churches of St Rose, St Isaac and St Mary; also, from November 2005, he is the Director of the River Crossings Concert Series, that twice a month gathers the most talented musicians and ensembles from the Hartt School in the Churches of St Augustine in Hartford and St Isaac Jogues in East Hartford. The Prego-Viszmeg Duo was born in Hartford, CT, in June 2005, as a result of their shared admiration for the vast literature for this type of ensemble. Their eclecticism has led them to embrace a wide variety of stiles, from classic composers like Bach or Beethoven to Piazzolla tangos, without forgetting the folk spirit that lies in both of them, with works by Bartok, Falla and Granados. The Prego-Viszmeg Duo performs with regularity in the state area, and despite its short life, it is already working in a project that will lead them to a summer tour for Spain and Hungary. PREGO-VISZMEG DUO BIOGRAPHY (contact Jorge Prego, 860-558-1460)

Name: Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble
Hometown: Hamden, CT
Instrument: Flamenco Fusion

The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble is the premier Flamenco fusion group in the United States. Established in 1994, the group features the unique talents of VAL RAMOS (lead Flamenco guitarist), JOSE R. RAMOS (Flamenco guitarist), KRIS JENSEN (flutist), CARLOS HERNANDEZ CHAVEZ (bassist), JOSE BERRIOS (percussionist), and MATT MOADEL (cajon player/percussionist). The ensemble often performs with JOSE DE SANTOS, the talented Flamenco singer from Valencia, Spain. The ensemble also performs with guest Flamenco dancers and other musicians from Spain and the United States. Hailed as "the best of classical Flamenco brought to modern standards" (Rootsworld.com), "a hidden treasure of the Flamenco world in the Americas...superb musicianship.." (Flamenco Connection), and "simply brilliant" (Flamenco Buzz.com) this outstanding musical group represents the best of contemporary Flamenco music, song, and dance. The group has released three albums of original Flamenco music and song, all on the PIRAM Records label--Por mi camino (2001), Boricuas Flamencos (1998), and Olive Green Eyes (1995). The group has been featured in major international music festivals and clubs including the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, the Regattabar Spring 2005 Jazz Festival, and the OpSail 2000 Festival. In July 2005, the ensemble toured Spain under the auspices of the United States Embassy in Spain and performed at the inauguration of the new U.S. Ambassador to Spain (at the Embassy in Madrid) as well as at the prestigious club El Savor in Salamanca. The group has been featured in National Public Radio (NPR United States) and Radio Nacional Española (RNE Spain) interviews in the radio shows "All Things Considered," "The Faith Middletown Show," and "La hora de America." The group's music is featured in several documentary films including "Puerto Rican Passages" (Connecticut Public Television) and "Nuyoricans" (WNET-Thirteen/PBS). The ensemble has performed with internationally-renowned and Grammy Award winners the-late CELIA CRUZ and DANNY RIVERA. It has also performed with some of the best Flamenco artists from Spain and the United States including DOMINGO ALVARADO, LUIS VARGAS, DIONISIA GARCIA, DOMINICO CARO, JOSE DE SANTOS, ALFONSO MOGABURO, ARTURO MARTINEZ, GISELE SAAD-REVOLLAR, CARLITOS REVOLLAR, DAVID CASTELLANOS, FERNANDO DE MALAGA, MELINDA MARQUEZ, and CHICA MORI.

Name: Ray Gonzalez
Hometown: Hartford, CT
Instrument: Trumpetist

RAY GONZALEZ is a musician dedicated in mind, body and soul to the creation of salsa and Latin jazz rhythms. A re-known musician and Latin music pioneer in Connecticut, Ray González was born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. He attended the Conservatory of Music and the University of Puerto Rico. González has over 30 years of experience in the performing arts as a professional musician, arranger, composer and conductor. As a musician, the Caribbean, South America and the United States have been his laboratory of experience. González has worked with international musicians such as Tito Puente, Charlie Palmieri, Kako, Giovanni Hidalgo, Charlie Sepúlveda, Ismael Rivera, the Puerto Rican Power Orchestra and many others. Over the years González has held the position of Music Director at numerous places including the University of Turabo, the “Hartford Arts Festival” and the “International Latin American Voice and Song Festival”. González is the Music Director of Guakía, Inc. and founder of Guakibomjazz, a Latin jazz youth orchestra. Through the years, González has been commissioned to compose music for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. González has also performed in collaboration with the symphonies for many projects such as Music of the Americas, Serenata Latina, Fiesta Latina and others. RAY GONZALEZ has received special honors, awards and recognition by many political institutions and community entities: Connecticut’s former Governor William O’Neill, Southern CT State University, The Hispanic Health Council, the María Sánchez Award, the Hispanic Professional Network, and Mi Casa, among others. Hartford City Mayor Eddie Pérez and the Court of Common Council Proclaimed May 2, 2004 as Ray González Day in the City of Hartford. The Connecticut State Senate and the House of Representatives also issued an official citation in recognition of González for his contribution to Latin Music and his dedication to youth education. Biography of RAY GONZALEZ (contact Mr Gonzalez at Guakia, Inc. 860-548-9555) New CD Release "Yo tengo lo que te gusta" now available. Portion of proceeds donated to Guakia Inc. www.guakia.org

Name: Mariano Cotto
Hometown: Naranjito
Instrument: Singer of Decimas

printed from www.cuatro-pr.org Mariano Cotto El Vate de la Espinela Oriundo de Naranjito. Ha elevado nuestra décima a alturas insospechadas con su verso cuadrante y lirico. Son interesantes los pie forzaos, que escribe para rimar, con vocabulario retórico difíicil de cuadrar y llevar el pensamiento florido. Verdaderamente es el Vate [poeta] de la Espinela. No hay otra manera de describir a Mariano Cotto, jíbaro de Naranjito que desde los seis años cantaba coplas y a los 11, acompañaba a su padre, Mariano Cotto, trovador de promesas. A esa temprana edad, cantaba por primera vez en la radio en un programa de música típica que tenía Maso Rivera en la antigua emisora WENA en Bayamón y posteriormente se “gradúa” del famoso programa de TV, Tribuna del Arte, que producía y dirigía Don Rafael Quiñones Vidal, quien a la edad de 14 años lo llamó “el niño trovador”.