At TuCuatro, our instructors aren’t just teachers – they’re ambassadors of Latin American musical heritage. These artists bridge traditions and modern sounds, using instruments like the Venezuelan Cuatro, Bandola Llanera and more. Learn more about their stories, influences and current projects below.
Each teacher and musician has collaborated or created courses with the highest standards for musical education.
Abraham Sarache – Progressive‑Rock Innovator (Amsterdam)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Venezuelan musician Abraham Sarache is known for blending the Venezuelan cuatro with progressive rock and metalwikitia.com, creating a unique fusion that introduces Latin instrumentation to a global rock audience. He released his conceptual debut album The Gardener in 2016 and later formed a band, producing the EP Kaleidoscope of Fears (2018) and Kaleidoscope of Dreams (2020)wikitia.com. His willingness to experiment with folk instruments challenges genre boundaries and attracts fans of progressive music worldwide.
Recent achievements:
- The Gardener (Re‑Imagined), released in February 2024, revisits his landmark debut with a fresh sonic paletteabrahamsarache.bandcamp.com.
- Sarache is currently working on A Book of Regrets, a new concept album expected in autumn 2024wikitia.com.
- Through TuCuatro, he offers a free course on modern cuatro techniqueswikitia.com.
Adrián Toro – Founder and Cuatro Soloist (Ottawa, Canada)
Ottawa, Canada
Adrián Toro is the entrepreneurial force behind TuCuatro. In 2011 he launched the platform as the first comprehensive online learning system for the Venezuelan Cuatrotucuatro.com. As a musician, he’s a cuatro solo player, composing original pieces and arranging popular covers. His passion for accessibility led to TuCuatro’s rapid growth and its mission to preserve and modernize traditional instruments.
Recent work:
- Released the single “Peace of Mind” (March 15, 2025), a smooth instrumental with bossa‑nova influencesqobuz.com. The track is available on major streaming services.
- Previous releases include Baby Cuatro (2015), a children’s album featuring playful cuatro piecesqobuz.com.
Yasuji D’Gucci – Master Luthier and Bandola Expert (Tokyo)
Tokio, Japan
Japanese luthier Yasuji D’Gucci crafts South‑American instruments with unmatched precision. TuCuatro describes him as a “Master Luthier and Cuatro Player” who specializes in building folkloric instruments like the Cuatro and Bandola Llanerastore.tucuatro.com. His Cuatro Celeste line blends Japanese craftsmanship with Latin tradition, producing instruments cherished by performers around the world. D’Gucci also teaches the bandola llanera online, making this rare instrument accessible to new audiences.
What he’s up to now:
- Continues to craft and refine his Cuatro Celeste instruments, available in mahogany, maple and walnut finishes.
- Serves as a mentor on TuCuatro, guiding students through bandola techniques and instrument maintenancestore.tucuatro.com.
Darwin Medina – Fusion Four‑String Virtuoso (Montpellier, France)
Pau, France
Born in Villavicencio, Colombia, Darwin Medina grew up immersed in Joropo, the music of the Llanos plains. He picked up the cuatro at age 9 and, after years of contests and festivals, became a renowned soloistdarwinmedinamusic.com. Medina’s influences range from Cholo Valderrama to Dream Theater, blending folk rhythms with heavy‑metal energy. In 2009 he joined the Grammy‑nominated group Cimarrón, touring worldwide before relocating to France to pursue a solo career
darwinmedinamusic.com.
Latest projects:
- Performs globally with the Darwin Medina Trio, fusing joropo and progressive rock.
- Contributed cuatro and drums on “Joroprog” from Mauricio Carvajal’s album Mirando al Cielo (2024)darwinmedinamusic.com.
- Shares his experiences at festivals like Waya Festival 2025, promoting cultural exchange.
Maurizio Fiore Salas – Composer & Arranger Blending Jazz and Folklore (Cambridge, MA)
Alpharetta, United States
Maurizio Fiore Salas is a Venezuelan‑Italian performer, composer and arranger whose music bridges Latin American folklore, jazz improvisation and Western classical techniquemfioresalas.com. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he is widely recognized for his work with the Acoustic Nomads, a New England‑based ensemble that fuses Appalachian, Andean and Caribbean stylesmfioresalas.com.
Highlights:
- Holds a master’s degree in Jazz & Contemporary Music from Longy School of Music and a bachelor’s in Jazz Composition from Berklee College of Musicmfioresalas.com.
- Has performed with legends such as Paquito D’ Rivera and Eugene Friesenmfioresalas.com.
- Plays guitar and Venezuelan cuatro on Acoustic Nomads’ 2023 visual album Quartet, recorded live at Follen Churchacousticnomadsband.com. The band is currently fundraising for a new studio albumacousticnomadsband.com.
Raúl Landaeta – Academic Cuatro Master and Cultural Scholar (Trinidad & Tobago)
Trinidad & Tobago
Venezuelan maestro Raúl Landaeta began playing the cuatro at age 12 and has dedicated more than three decades to mastering and teaching this national instrumentsearchlight.vc. He studied Musicology (cuatro and guitar) for 13 years at universities in Caracas, France and Spain and has performed in 54 countriessearchlight.vc. Known for his humility and expertise, Landaeta is currently writing a book on the history of the cuatro across Venezuela, Trinidad and St Vincentsearchlight.vc.
Recent activity:
- Released Venezuelan Cuatro w/ Violin in January 2023, a digital album recorded in Port of Spain with his daughter Vanessa Emperatrizatreewithrootsmusicorg.bandcamp.com.
- Conducts online lessons and workshops on TuCuatro, focusing on Parang rhythms and cuatro techniquetucuatro.com.
Why so different cultural backgrounds?
Each of these artists has a distinct musical voice, yet they share a commitment to preserving and evolving Latin American string traditions. By studying under them, students gain:
- Authentic cultural insight: Learn Joropo, Parang, progressive rock and jazz‑fusion directly from masters steeped in their respective traditions.
- High‑quality instruments: Access instruments crafted by master luthiers like Yasuji D’Gucci.
- Modern techniques: Benefit from progressive approaches to the cuatro pioneered by artists such as Abraham Sarache and Adrián Toro.
- Global perspective: Connect with musicians who tour internationally and collaborate across genres and cultures.
Ready to Learn?
Explore our courses, workshops and private lessons to begin your journey with the Venezuelan cuatro and other Latin string instruments. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, our teachers can guide you through rhythms, techniques and compositions that celebrate tradition while embracing innovation.
