Sones de México Ensemble was formed as a quartet in 1994. A fifth member was added later that year, and the group expanded to six members in 1997—a format they have maintained to this day. As original members retired or pursued other artistic paths, a “second generation” of musicians was brought in, beginning with Lorena Iñiguez in 2003 and Zacbé Pichardo in 2006. In 2015, Eric Hines and Rudy Piñon joined the group; Piñon was later replaced by Irekani Ferrayra in 2022. Juan Díes remains the ensemble’s only founding member performing continuously with the group.
Meet the Band
2025
Zacbe Pichardo
Member 2006-Present
Harp, Huapangera, Marimba, Percussion, Accordion
Zacbé Pichardo is a harpist, marimba and percussion player with the ensemble. He has a composition degree…
Eric Hines
Member 2015-Present
Drums, Percussion, Marimba
Dr. Eric Hines is a professional percussionist and educator residing in Chicago, IL. An accomplished performer of…
Lorena Iñiguez
Member 2003-2017, 2020-Present
Zapateado, Vihuela, Jarana, Drums, Percussion
Lorena Iniguez is a dancer who has specialized in Mexican regional styles for over 35 years. She first joined Sones de Mexico Ensemble in 2003 where she learned to play several string, percussion, and wind instruments (vihuela, jarana, cajon, tarima, flauta).
Victor Pichardo
Member 1994-2013 2018-Present
Music Director, Violin, Guitar, Clarinet, Jarana, Marimba, Vocals
Irekani Ferrayra
Member 2022-Present
Violin, Guitar, Requinto, Jarana, Vocals
lrekani Ferreyra is an interdisciplinary performer and educator with broad experience in Mexican music and dance. He joined Sones de Mexico Ensemble in 2022. Originally from Mexico City, lrekani began Aztec dance and zapateado at a young age and then went on to study guitar at a music conservatory.
Past Band Members
1994
Karen Marcial
Violin, Vocals
Member 2019
Karen Marcial is a singer and a violinist form Chicago. Her family hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco. She studied mariachi music under Victor Pichardo while attending middle school in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Later, she became a teaching assistant at Orozco Academy. Karen has a degree from University of Illinois Chicago.
Gonzalo Cordova
Guitar, Jarana, Requinto Percussion, Vocals
Member 1994-2002, 2014-2018
Gonzalo Cordova is an interpreter of music. His background is steeped in traditional and popular Latin music ranging
Rudy Piñon
Violin, Requinto, Guitarron Vihuela, Trumpet, Bajo Sexto, Vocals
Member 2003, 2015-2016, 2018-2022
Rudy Piñon began studying Mexican music in high school under Sones de Mexico Ensemble’s founding Music Director Victor Pichardo. He developed as a multi-instrumentalist and pursued a career in mariachi music, playing with the top groups in Chicago for almost 20 years. He joined Sones de Mexico Ensemble in 2016.
