Juan Dies

Juan Dies -- Multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, teacher, and producer. Dies grew up in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and moved with his family to Indianapolis at age eighteen and graduated from North Central High School in 1984. He stayed in Indiana for his college education, earning a B.A. in Sociology/Ethno-musicology at Earlham College (where he jammed with Beatles' junkie Greg Miller) and an M.A. in Folklore/Ethno-musicology at Indiana University, where he worked in the Sound Lab of the Archives of Traditional Music as a Graduate Assistant. In 1994, he helped launch the career of Sones de México Ensemble in Chicago. Focusing on preserving the Mexican son tradition, the group was nominated for a Latin Grammy for "Best Folk Album" and for "Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album" in 2007. Sones de México Ensemble appeared at Serving as the group's CEO, spokesperson, producer, and bassist, Dies can play multiple Mexican string instruments as well as the guitar. From 1993 to 2005, he was the Director of Community Programs for Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. In addition, Juan writes songs in the Corrido style and has recently directed songwriting workshops in twelve states. Of particular note, he collaborated with U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera on the "Corrido of Sandra Bland," which was played on N.P.R.