Page 9 - ION Indie Magazine MayJune 2018 Issue

GABRIEL AYALA is a member of the Yaqui people of southern
Photo credit: Marty Haviik
Arizona. Ayala is at the forefront of a new generation of

Native Americans making a career performing classical music.
He earned a Master’s Degree in Music Performance from the
University of Arizona in 1997, has taught at all educational

levels from elementary through college, and serves as a
competition adjudicator. Although Gabriel truly enjoys being

a teacher, his busy touring schedule allows him to only teach
in masterclass settings.

Ayala performs regularly throughout the United States and
has appeared at the Poway Center for Performing Arts. He

was a featured artist at President Barack Obama's Inaugural
Ball and played for Pope Benedict XVI at the canonization of
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. He has also performed at the John F.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National
Museum for the American Indian, and Oscar Meyer Theater

in Madison, Wisconsin. He has shared the stage with living
legends, including The Four Tops, The Temptations and Richie

Havens.

In 2010, Gabriel was honored to perform at the Musical
Instrument Museum in a series called “Guitar Masters.”
Photo credit: Marty Haviik
Gabriel Ayala visited Rome when the Vatican elevated a

17th-century indigenous American woman to sainthood.
He also has been recognized by the former State of Arizona
Governor Janet Napolitano, former Director of Homeland
Security, for his musical achievements. In addition, he has
also been honored as the Artist of the Month for the

Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce (IICOC). Not
only is Gabriel recognized locally and in the United States,
but he has had the opportunity to be the featured
performer at the “Festival Internacional de la Guitarra
Academica” in Venezuela with performances in Caracas,

Guarenas, Guatire and on National Public Television
throughout Venezuela.

As Ayala continues to travel throughout the United States
and other countries, he serves as an advocate for

education for all youth while instilling his values of living a
traditional lifestyle while abstaining from alcohol, drugs

and tobacco. Gabriel believes in leading our children in the
right direction through his philosophy, “Love your
children, honor your elders, and respect your women.”

Gabriel wants to share the gift of music with as many
people as possible and show children that they can

become whatever they dream. Gabriel currently resides in
Tucson, Arizona.