Back to the Roots | The Music of the Andes

An intimate evening of Andean music featuring Amado Espinoza and Nilko Andreas, blending traditional South American folk, chamber music, and contemporary influences.

7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (First Set)

9:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Second Set)

Admission: $20: Cover charge for Mezzanine seating

Featuring:

• Amado Espinoza / Vocals.

• Nilko Andreas / Vocals.

About Back to the Roots: From the Andes:

Back to the Roots: From the Andes is an intimate concert experience that brings together acclaimed Bolivian multi-instrumentalist Amado Espinoza and Colombian guitarist, composer, and singer Nilko Andreas for a musical journey through the rich traditions of the Andes. Blending the expressive sounds of the charango, traditional flutes, classical guitar, and voice, the program unites South American folk heritage, chamber music, and contemporary composition. Joined by Chilean percussionist Yayo Serka, the trio creates a vibrant dialogue between ancestral rhythms and modern artistry, celebrating the cultural richness and timeless spirit of the Andean world.

About Amado Espinoza:

Amado Espinoza is an internationally acclaimed Bolivian multi-instrumentalist, composer, instrument maker, and educator whose work bridges the ancient musical traditions of the Andes with contemporary composition and improvisation. A master of the charango and traditional Bolivian flutes, his performances reflect a profound respect for his cultural heritage while embracing a spirit of artistic exploration.

Recipient of the 2022 Spirit of Folk Award from Folk Alliance International, Espinoza has also been recognized with the Lighton International Artist Exchange Program grant and the Charlotte Street Foundation Generative Performing Arts Fellowship. He performs as a solo artist and with several ensembles, while also collaborating with leading artists and organizations across the Americas.

Beyond the concert stage, Espinoza composes for film, theater, and dance, and has created acclaimed works for productions including The Tempest and El Amor que Mueve el Sol y Las Demás Estrellas. In 2019, he was invited by Berklee College of Music to present a masterclass on Andean music and pre-Columbian instruments. Through his performances, compositions, and educational work, Amado continues to preserve and reimagine the rich musical heritage of the Andes for audiences around the world.

About Nilko Andreas:

Colombian guitarist, composer, conductor, singer, and actor Nilko Andreas is an internationally acclaimed artist celebrated for his virtuosity, expressive performances, and commitment to Latin American music. Following his solo debut at Carnegie Hall in 2009, he has performed across the Americas, Europe, and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral collaborator, appearing with ensembles including the Prague Symphony Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, Surabaya Symphony Orchestra, Baja California Orchestra, and numerous orchestras throughout the United States and Latin America.

A passionate advocate for contemporary Latin American composers, Andreas has premiered numerous new works, including concertos by Alba Potes and Ricardo Calderoni at Carnegie Hall as part of his acclaimed Amazonas Series, a concert series he founded in 2010 to promote Latin American music while raising awareness of environmental conservation. His artistic work extends beyond the concert stage to theater, film, and vocal performance, with notable productions inspired by the works of Federico García Lorca, including Así Canta Federico and award-winning collaborations with Artificio Theater.

An accomplished educator, Andreas has presented masterclasses and lectures at institutions including Columbia University, New York University, Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and universities throughout Latin America, Asia, and Europe. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Manhattan School of Music in Classical Guitar, Composition, and Orchestral Conducting. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Latin American Chamber Music Society of New York and AZLO Productions, and continues to champion the rich musical traditions of Latin America through innovative performances, commissions, and cross-cultural collaborations.