Creative Couples: Nadia and Mario

By Judith Jenya

Mario Moya and Nadia Merkel are engaged in a musical life together. They are young musicians who grew up in San Miguel. They are a tribute to the caring creative and educational community here that supports young people in their quest to become artists and performers. They first met in an acting class at the Biblioteca Publica when they were early teenagers and reunited 6 years ago when Mario began teaching Nadia composition. They moved rapidly into a relationship, marriage and being parents to Shira, whose name means song in Hebrew. All the time, each continues working on their own musical forms, performing and being supportive of the other.

Mario, 34, was born in San Miguel. He began in acting, storytelling and sewing clothes for toys following in his father’s footsteps as a fabric craftsman before his  early death. Mario began studying music at age 15 with Elsemarie Norby as his first piano teacher. Soon he paid half his music fees by teaching music in her program in San Miguel Viejo and being an accompanist in her programs. He was fortunate to have had a series of mentors and sponsors the earliest being Gene Randall. Gene took him into his home, tutored him, paid the other half of his piano lesson fees. Gene became like a godfather to Mario while recognizing his musical gift.  Mario continued with piano and attended the University of Guanajuato where he received a BA in composition. He learned the craft of music there. Jose Suárez, his main professor, introduced him to early music, especially Baroque music and taught him to play the harpsichord and organ, still his favorite instruments. He has played in Baroque music festivals in México, Spain and Germany and teaches students on these instruments.

At present Mario’s work is recording, arranging music, arranging and producing concerts, teaching and working on various combinations of instruments and musical genres. Nadia has introduced him to Mexican folk music, and with Doug Robinson, and Alicia Rappaport he has engaged with jazz, pop and tango music. He helped produce Alicia’s show and album.

He says that you fall in love with music and early music is what he loves the most. He currently plays solo, with a group, and with Nadia. He credits Nadia with bringing life, joy and love into his life. She brings out another side of him besides the serious early music side. Another aspect of his life both musically and personally, is finding his Jewish roots. He formally converted to Judaism and says having a Jewish family, preparing, playing Judeo-Arabic music and being part of the Jewish community of San Miguel deepens his Jewish roots both spiritually and musically.

Nadia, 33, was born in Veracruz to an Austrian Jewish father who was a glass blower and a Mexican mother. After her father’s  death when she was 3, her mother, a homeopath, moved with Nadia to San Miguel where she was involved with acting and dancing as a teen and started playing guitar at age 18. She studied environmental science at the University of Morelia. There she became entranced with the music called Son Jarocho the ancient music of Veracruz. Son Jarocho is a folk musical style that blends Mexican, Spanish, and African music elements. Its lively rhythms and energetic, intricate melodies that captivated Nadia.  She changed from guitar to jarana an instrument that can have a variety of sizes used in San Jarocha. She took singing lessons, studied musical theory and played jarana for her enjoyment.

Since studying with Mario she takes her music seriously and has become an accomplished performer. She now likes to perform in large venues and is part of a trio, Group Colonial 432 which includes José Luis Mendoza and Oscar Martínez Heredia.

They perform using jarana among other instruments. Nadia plays, sings, and dances in their performances. At times they play together with larger groups. Mario makes many of the arrangements for her group.  A huge part of her life is being a  mother to 4-year-old Shira, who can often be seen on stage with Nadia, together with Nadia and Mario. Like Mario, Nadia is exploring her Jewish roots and living a Jewish life in San Miguel. Their work together is evolving as a lifestyle, and as professional musicians. They work independently and come together without competition to learn, create new music, and perform. We can anticipate many years of lively music from this young creative couple.

If you want to suggest a couple that both are involved in their own creative process, for a future column please send an email at judith58sma@gmail.com