Meet the Team
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John Vergara
FOUNDER:
With a wealth of experience in crafting, repairing, and restoring an extensive range of stringed instruments—including Spanish guitars, Puerto Rican cuatros, ouds, kanuns, ukuleles, and more—John Vergara is a seasoned master luthier. His expertise extends to valuable instrument restorations, showcasing a meticulous approach to preserving musical heritage. As the founder of Lord of the Strings and Heritage Soundcraft Institute, John's workshop is an international hub for the creation and restoration of diverse cultural instruments. Beyond his craft, he is a passionate instructor, sharing his skills and knowledge through instrument-making workshops. John's commitment to both the art of lutherie and mentorship solidifies his role in preserving and passing on cultural musical traditions.
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Najib Shaheen
LUTHIER & BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Najib began performing oud with his father Hikmat Shaheen orchestra in Haifa at the age of 12. After moving to the US in 1967, he played oud with legendary vocalist Hanan in New York, and toured with her in Latin America. Najib has performed hundreds of concerts with Simon Shaheen as a core member of the Near East Music Ensemble and Qantara. He has taught oud and Arabic Music privately throughout his performing career. In 1985, Najib founded his studio for making & restoring vintage ouds, experimenting in bringing back the authentic classical Arabic sound. Since the founding of the Retreat, Najib has been an oud instructor and lecturer on oud maintenance.
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Tony Velez
LUTHIER & BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Tony's musical journey, starting in 1969 in the South Bronx, led him to master the guitar and Cuban tres. His diverse career spans rock, blues, salsa, and Cuban music, collaborating with luminaries like Celia Cruz. As the bandleader of Conjunto Cuboricua Latin Dance Band, he's an important cultural fixture in the Hudson Valley region. Since 1989, Tony has excelled in lutherie, crafting Cuban and Puerto Rican tres guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. He's now driven to share his musical and luthier expertise through cultural programs, inspiring and enhancing awareness.
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Walid Zaïri
MUSICIAN & BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Walid Zaïri is an oud player whose band Talween is aptly named after the Arabic word for coloring. Presenting a collection of highly pictorial original compositions, Zairi applies his experience as a musician and globe-trotter to create paintings on canvases, taking the oud outside of its usual conservative milieu. These musical pictures arouse the senses with melodies that are intense and gentle, creating a subtle mix of new world music, oriental sounds, and jazzy beats with a prominent African flavor.
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Dulce Coyt
COFOUNDER
MARKETING & PRDulce Coyt leverages a diverse background in finance, in nonprofits as an administrative and case manager, event planner, and marketing director. Her experience with grant writing brings a strategic perspective to sustain projects. Dulce's interests in entrepreneurial, creative endeavors and appreciation for the culture, history, and arts of Mesoamerica align with HSI’s mission.