Paraguayan musicians to perform for final summer concert

At 6 p.m. Thursday, the final concert in this year’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series by the Pittsburg State University Music Department will feature Jopará Ensemble, a group of Paraguayan musicians living and working in Kansas who blend harmonies and rhythms from around the world.  

The concert is free and open to the public and will be held at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, 1711 S. Homer.  

The word “jopará” is the colloquial language used in Paraguay, a blend of Spanish and Guarani, and reflects the blend of traditional and contemporary music the group plays.  

The ensemble includes: 

Ramiro Miranda (violin), an assistant professor at Pitt State who teaches violin/viola and conducts the Southeast Kansas Symphony. He’s also active as a violinist, arranger, conductor, and composer off campus. He recently teamed up with Paraguayan jazz pianist Daniel Ayala and performed across Kansas, and shared the stage with internationally acclaimed classical guitarist Berta Rojas. 

Irene Diaz Gill (cello), orchestra director at Pittsburg Community Middle School and Pittsburg High School and is a freelance cellist. Previously a cello professor at Emporia State University and Friends University, she also performs with String Daze and other orchestras in the region. 

Aleia Gonzalez (guitar), a member of the music faculty at Washburn, Rockhurst, and MidAmerica Nazarene universities. She performs in the Kansas City metropolitan area in both solo and collaborative settings, and performs at regional festivals including the Salt Creek Festival in Nebraska. 

Alejandro Avila (piano), a member of the music faculty at Barton Community College where he teaches piano, organ, and collaborates with vocal and instrumental ensembles, and performs in chamber music settings. He is a featured artist at music festivals including the Salt Creek Festival in Nebraska, the Vocal Academy of Opera in Turkey, and the Conero International Piano Festival in Italy.