Freddy O. Vilches is a multi-instrumentalist (charango, Venezuelan cuatro, quena, zampoñas, Afro-Cuban percussion) singer/songwriter, and educator based in Portland, OR. Originally from Santiago, Chile, Freddy has performed extensively throughout the US and Latin America (Chile, México, Cuba). He has recorded and performed with some of the best Latin bands in the Northwest, including Latin Expression, Caliente, Palante, Bobby Torres Latin Band, and Sandunga, among others, and performs regularly with his own Matices Latin Ensemble.
Freddy is an experienced teacher and workshop presenter, he holds a PhD in Latin American Literature from the University of Oregon. He joined the LC faculty in September, 2006, and is now an Associate Professor in the Department of World Languages and Literatures.