ÁLVARO CUETO
Álvaro Cueto Cueto was born in Villaviciosa on the 18th of July 1991. He began learning to play the Asturian bagpipe in 1999 at the Escuela de Música Tradicional Banda Gaites Villaviciosa, where he was taught by Miguel Alonso. He also received lessons in music theory and piano at the Villaviciosa Municipal Music School.
In 2003, he joined Banda Gaites Villaviciosa, under the direction of Martin Poladura. With the band, he won the Liga Galega de Bandas de Gaitas in 2005 and 2006, and achieved second place in the competition in 2007. During those years, he also undertook further bagpipe training with José Manuel Tejedor and Xuacu Amieva.
In 2009, he joined the Banda Gaites Ribeseya, taking over the direction of its bagpipe section the following year. In 2010, he also began working with the Scottish company Pipe Dreams on the design and testing of chanters for the Asturian bagpipe. In 2012, he once again won the Liga Galega de Bandas de Gaitas with the Banda Gaites Ribeseya.
Between 2012 and 2017, he collaborated with the Banda Gaites LaKadarma, took part in Synexthesia, a production by the Banda Gaites Xácara, and performed with the LittleBand del Conservatorio Profesional de música de Gijón. Since 2016, he has also been the bagpiper and flautist in the post-rock band Melandru, with which he has released two albums: their self-titled debut in 2018, which led them to perform at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, and II, released in 2024.
In 2018, he started the NÓS project alongside filmmaker Pablo Casanueva and the Banda Gaites Ribeseya. The concert-documentary premiered in 2019 and received five nominations at the AMAS.
Since 2021, he has been responsible for the musical direction of the Banda Gaites Ribeseya and has worked as a percussion teacher at the Ribadesella Municipal Music School, specialising in snare drum, side drum and bass drum.
In 2024, he began directing the Banda Gaites Camín de Fierro, representing the municipalities of Proaza, Teverga and Santo Adriano. He also rejoined Banda Gaites Villaviciosa - El Gaitero as a band member.
In recent years, he has resumed his career as a solo bagpiper, achieving first place in several competitions, including the Memorial José Huerta in Villaviciosa in 2024, the Gelu Cuervo in Ribadesella in 2024 and 2026, the Villa de Candás Bagpipe and Drum Duos Competition alongside Hernán Iglesias, and the Memorial Manuel y Antón de Cogollu in 2026.
He has continued to develop his skills as a solo bagpiper and his knowledge of bagpipe pedagogy with Ricardo Soberado. He also studies the preparation and manufacture of reeds for bagpipes and chanters with Balbino Menéndez at the Escuela de Música Tradicional Manolo Quirós in Oviedo.
In 2026, he takes on the role of Musical Director of the Banda Gaites Villaviciosa - El Gaitero, while also assuming responsibility for bagpipe teaching at the Escuela de Música Tradicional Banda Gaites Villaviciosa.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
EDU LLOSA
PERCUSSION DIRECTOR
Edu Llosa began his musical career in the field of traditional Asturian music with Banda Gaites Villaviciosa - El Gaitero, where he was trained to be a bagpiper and percussionist. Over the years, this experience allowed him to broaden his musical horizons and explore other styles, while also developing his skills as a drummer and percussionist in various musical projects and ensembles.
He continued his studies at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música de Gijón and the CONSMUPA, complementing his education with courses and masterclasses. He has also taken part in national and international concerts and numerous studio recording sessions.
Alongside the bagpipes and percussion, he pursues his musical career as a guitarist, composer and producer, taking part in a variety of projects. His work combines musical performance, composition and production with a strong commitment to teaching and preserving traditional music.
As a percussionist, he is a member of the Banda Sinfóncia de Gijón, performing in concerts and events at both local and national level. He also performs as a percussionist with the groups Alienda and Abéu, collaborating on live performances and studio recordings.
In the field of instrument making and maintenance, he recently established a workshop specializing in percussion instrument making and repairs, dedicated to crafting and restoring percussion instruments.
He is currently the Percussion Director and a teacher at the Escuela de Música Tradicional Banda Gaites Villaviciosa - El Gaitero, where he leads the percussion section and teaches drum and snare drum at the band's traditional music school, helping to shape new generations of musicians and preserve the continuity of Asturian musical tradition.
