Amado Espinoza is a multi-talented musician, composer and instrument maker. More simply, he feels.
“I just follow the vibration, follow the music,” he explains.
Originally from Cochabamba, Bolivia, Espinoza moved to Kansas City in 2014. Since then, he has appeared at TedxKC, the Kansas City Folk Festival and the Native American Harvest Moon Festival, among other venues. In 2019, he was invited by the Berklee School of Music in Boston to give a masterclass on Andean music.
Espinoza handcrafts a wide variety of native instruments. He sees those instruments as the crucial connection allowing him to achieve harmony with the world.
“If you are in tune, you will not be sad or frustrated or angry,” he says. “That’s why it’s very important for me to play music and make instruments.”
To learn more, watch the attached video.
“Sounds of the Soul” is a Flatland arts series produced by G10 Creative. Watch for digital shorts publishing online Thursdays through July 9, then tune in at 7:30 p.m. July 16 on KCPT for the full 30-minute documentary.
Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.
Related Stories
Sounds of the Soul | Just Breathe
Kansas City flute maker John Mark Aladeen finds precious emotions -- peace and joy -- when his breath passes through his flutes.
Sounds of the Soul | Making Trees Talk
Glenn Robertson and Bobbie Cirillo of Moon Beam Mandolins have devoted their lives to handcrafting mandolins.
‘Sounds of the Soul’ | Making New Guitars That Feel Old
The brothers behind Seuf Guitars are intent on creating guitars that match the look and feel of the vintage instruments they adore.