Ernie
Ferra, blind since birth, displayed an early talent in music. At the
age of three he took an interest in playing the piano. Since then
he has been inspired by (and now plays professionally) various instruments
including the harp, piano, organ, keyboard, harmonica, guitar, and
accordian. Ernie can hear a song and play it without reading the music. He has participated in the mariachi band at both Arizona State University and South Mountain Community College. He studied the harp privately with well known harpists Alfredo Ortiz and Esther McLaughlin, and currently studies with Fermin Herrera of Cal State Northridge.
He has performed with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, and the groups Mariachi Cobre and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan at the Mariachi Conference in Tucson. Ernie has also performed at the Albuquerque Mariachi Conference. In addition to mariachi music, Ernie also enjoys performing pop, religious, children's songs, Christmas hymns, and classical pieces. He specializes in weddings and private events.
