First Tarahumara concert pianist to play in the borderland this weekend

The first Tarahumara concert pianist in history will play in the borderland this weekend.

Romeyno Gutierrez was born and raised in the Copper Canyon, also known as the Sierra Tarahumara. It’s located in the Southwestern part of Chihuahua.

Romeyno is from the Tarahumara community of Retsachi. | Photo by Jesus A. Rodriguez.

The Tarahumara, or Ráramuri, are Native Americans who live across the North of Mexico.

Romeyno learned to play the piano from his godfather Romayne Wheeler.

Wheeler says he uses the scenery of the Sierra Tarahumara as inspiration for the music he composes. | Photo by Jesus A. Rodriguez.

Wheeler is an American pianist who studied music in the prestigious Vienna Conservatory of Music. Wheeler decided to study the Native American music in the U.S., particularly in Arizona. He did so in between concerts he gave around the world.

Wheeler says a snowstorm forced him to stay in a bus station cafe in Albuquerque when he was on his way to meet with the Hopi tribe. He then found an issue of National Geographic that had photos of the Tarahumara running, something they’re famous for.

He says he was amazed by the mountains in the Copper Canyon and decided to go there as soon as possible.

Wheeler eventually visited the Sierra Tarahumara and hiked it for days.

Wheeler says he would come visit every year. He eventually developed friendships with the Tarahumara community there.

One day he decided to make it his home. He still lives there to this day.

Wheeler brought his Steinway piano with him when he decided to make the Sierra Tarahumara his home. He lives at the edge of a cliff. Wheeler calls his home the Eagle’s Nest. | Photo by Jesus A. Rodriguez.

During those years, Wheeler became close friends with one Tarahumara couple. They named their first child Romeyno in honor of Wheeler.

When he was a kid, Romeyno says he would visit to listen and dance to Wheeler’s piano music.

Wheeler eventually taught him how to play after he noticed the interest.

Years later, Romeyno decided to leave the Copper Canyon to study music at the State University of Chihuahua.

He has given concerts around the World, both by himself and with Wheeler.

Romeyno will play Saturday Nov. 4 at UTEP in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall at 2 p.m.

And Sunday Nov. 5 in Las Cruces at the Rio Grande Theatre located at 211 N. Main Street at 5 p.m.

Both concerts are free and open to the public.