Joyao is an homage to the Dominican Güira. The term Joyao refers to the syncopated güira pattern that emphasizes the first partial of every beat, giving the merengue rhythm grounding and depth.

The güira is an instrument that holds so many memories from my upbringing as a percussionist. I like to think that I was born to play güira, as my older brother was already the tambora player in the family. Together, we became the Ureña brothers duo, because there is no güira without tambora. My passion for the instrument grew from that music and brotherhood connection. From jamming in the house with my brother and dad, to waking up at 6:00AM serenading members of my family playing “Happy Birthday” (the merengue version), to playing in church, symphony orchestras, jazz bands, wind bands, and traditional ensembles.

The inspiration for this piece comes from listening to Javier Alvarez’s Temazcal during my undergraduate studies. I was fascinated with how this traditional instrument was used and further elevated into an art form very much outside of its typical usage, while still incorporating its roots. In my pursuit of finding ways to elevate the music and instruments from my culture, I always thought that creating a work like this would be a great way to bring more interest to the güira by combining both my Western musical background and Dominican musical background and heritage, with fixed media.

The piece also serves as an homage to one of my favorite güira players, Rafel Martínez Germán, also known as “YAPO.” The piece will incorporate a cameo/transcription of a short solo from a live show he performed with Juan Luis Guerra & 440, as well as famous signature chants used by many legendary singers in Merengue music. Joyao will incorporate not only Merengue rhythms, but also other Dominican traditions involving the güira such as Salve, Sarandunga, and Palo.

The piece is scheduled to premiere at my Fall 2026 faculty concert at Lawrence University on October 1, 2026, at 8:00 PM in Harper Hall.