Steve “Cheveyo” Garay is a self-taught Native American flute player. He will be sharing his
talents with the community by teaching a Native American Flute Class at the Charles R. Hill
Community Center in Vinton on the five Monday nights in November.
Native American flutes are different than the typical school band flute– simpler and easier to
play. The sound they produce has been described as peaceful, meditative, calming, breathy, and
soulful. The flute typically features five or six holes, making it accessible for beginners without
requiring complex fingerings. This flute is held in front of your body.
Each participant in Garay’s class will receive their own Native American flute, a workbook, and
five hours of class time. The cost is $125 (half is due to reserve a spot in the class). The class is
limited to 25 students. The deadline to sign up is October 31.
Garay is well known in the Vinton community and at the Community Center where he also
teaches Tai Chi and Tai Chi Cane Defense. He has served as the pastor at Oakview Church of
God for over 25 years. While he recently retired from Keltech, he doesn’t seem to have retired
from any of his other interests, which just keep expanding. He is a leather craftsman, recently
founding Cheveyo LeatherWorks, and spends time at local craft shows and festivals where he
tends to draw a crowd with his flute-playing, in addition to his leather products. He is also, or has
been, a storyteller, columnist, and director of a Christian writers’ group.
Hearing the oral history of his Native American ancestry throughout his childhood, Garay was
able to confirm this through DNA documentation. Both maternal and paternal ancestors were
Native Americans. In a tribal naming ceremony, Garay was given the name of “Cheveyo,” the
Hopi word meaning “Spirit Warrior.”
He plays the Native American flute as a way to honor his roots.
The Native American Flute Class with Steve “Cheveyo” Garay is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. on
Monday nights in November, the 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th at the Charles R. Hill
Community Center located at 820 East Washington Avenue in Vinton. Visit
https://cheveyoleatherworks.net/events to register.
