by Birdie Jaworski

Billie Mathews remembers pressing the keys of an upright piano every Sunday morning. Her grandmother sat beside her on a polished bench. Mathews strung together the kind of eclectic melodies an untrained six-year old dreams, expressions of satisfied joy.

“I used to go to a little country church called Storrie Baptist. It was part of the old Storrie Projects.” Mathews laughed as she recalled her grandmother’s watchful eyes. “I pretended I could play the piano, just hit the keys for fun. When I was 8, the church closed because not many people lived there any more. They gave me the piano.”

Mathews began lessons with Methodist Church organist Mrs. Perrigo, and soon discovered a deep passion for music. She took up the flute, and continued to study and practice as she left Las Vegas to attend NM State, returning to study at Highlands. Mathews studied flute under Charly Drobeck and Barbara Stubbs. A revered West Las Vegas elementary teacher, she incorporates her skill and love of music with education.

“I wanted to be a musician, but making a living at any kind of art is tough,” explains Mathews. “I knew I had to get a degree in education so I could have a little easier life. I’ve learned how to balance work and my passion – music. I’m classically trained, but I’ve also played in Mariachi groups, and have just branched out into jazz. I’m excited to be a part of Trio Alegre. Martha and Monica are incredible musicians and dynamic ladies.”

Trio Alegre is the  combined musical force of flutist Mathews, guitarist Martha Spencer, and violinist Monica Ruiz.  Spencer, a medical lab-technician by day, studies classical guitar with Carl Bernstein and plays with the NMHU guitar ensemble. Ruiz, a California native, has a pharmacy degree from UNM and plays with the Santa Fe Community Orchestra. Ruiz also teaches in Las Vegas and works at the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute.

The group first began as a duo between Spencer and Ruiz, who developed a following while performing for patients at the Behavioral Health Institute. Mathews joined the group this year, and helped come up with the elegant name by which they are now known. Spencer and Ruiz started playing together with the hope that their music could positively affect the lives of those staying at the center, but they didn’t realize how moving – for both performer and listener – the experience would be.

“Some of the patients just listen quiety, and some of them come close to interact and talk with us,” describes Mathews. “It depends on how their day is going. It’s a nice change of pace. The staff is very appreciative, too. They sit and listen with the patients. One of the patients there is very non-verbal. She doesn’t talk much or interact with others. But our music livened her up. It was incredible!”

Trio Alegre performs at weddings, church services, nursing homes, galleries, and for local events such as brunches or meditation services. Their music is polished, sophisticated. At a recent gallery opening, the trio played classical and popular favorites, including a moving rendition of Pachelbel’s Canon in D. The women gathered their instruments close, eyes reverentially closed, as the gentle arpeggios cascaded into an etheric round. Spencer’s guitar provided a harmonic base to Ruiz and Mathew’s delicate arrangements. Gallery guests paused, their attention drawn from portrait to the three women who seemed to capture the vivid artworks and turn them into aural paint.

The ensemble plans to play another concert at the NM Behavioral Health Institute in mid-January, and is available to play for local functions. For more information on Trio Alegre, please contact Billie Mathews at 425-7626 or trioalegrelv@yahoo.com.