Daniel Pizzoferrato says that the first time he heard someone play the zampogna, it felt like he was listening to the sound of his ancestry. That moment 10 years ago prompted Pizzoferrato to embark on a journey to master the ancient Italian instrument, which he now showcases at Italian-American Christmastime celebrations in the Chicago area.

He also occasionally plays with La Tosca Italian Mambo Ensemble, based in Chicago. So why was hearing the sound of the zampogna so touching for him that first time? “I grew up with a lot of music and people who played the Italian accordion, the organetto. Everyone would get together and dance to all these songs they knew from growing up on their farms,” says Pizzoferrato.