Meet Juan Rubén. Ramírez Hernández Ramirez-Hernandez | Violinist, Composer, Conductor and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Juan Rubén. Ramírez Hernández Ramirez-Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juan Rubén. Ramírez Hernández, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Mexico in Madero, Tamaulipas. Born in a musical family, music impacted me since my early childhood My parents introduced me to the compositions of classical composers, as well as to the Mexican folklore and traditional songs. I had music lessons on many instruments. As a teenager, my musical talent was reinforced by many eminent pedagogues at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City. I came to the US in 1966. In 1988, I moved to Boston to continue my music studies at the New England Conservatory of Music, concentrating on violin, composition, and orchestral studies with excellent teachers. Music has taken me to many cultural centers in Europe, USA, Mexico and South America. My life has been influenced by many musicians, composers and conductors, especially mentors such as Henryk Szeryng, Leon Barzin, Gunther Schuller and Leonard Bernstein.
As a violinist and member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for 50 years, and through the Atlanta Virtuosi Foundation’s programs, I have worked as a music advocate and educator in Atlanta, Mexico and Ecuador.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When you decide to have a career as a professional musician, many options are open in choosing the right path and direction you might go. In 1966 I decided to come to the USA, rather than going to Moscow to study at the famous Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music. Coming from Mexico City to the USA was not an easy task. Music Conservatories and colleges in the USA were expensive compared to Mexican music schools. In 1966, I left Mexico City to audition for a scholarship at the Emporia Teachers College in Emporia, Kansas. After traveling many hours by bus, carrying my violin, guitar and a small suit case, I practiced intensely to prepare for the audition. I passed the audition and was given a full scholarship and a position as second violinist of the string quartet in residence. This gave me some extra monies to survive economically. My travels from Mexico City to Emporia was a learning experience, not knowing much English. Finally, after a year I could communicate well in English. Musical talent for me was my passport to overcome difficulties, and with courage and lots of music preparation, I was able in 1968 to enter by audition to the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, Massachusetts and later to the New England Conservatory of Music, winning full scholarships and working in symphony orchestras in the Boston area.
Today I mentor many young students through the art of music who have successful careers not only in music but in many other professional fields. Mentoring continues in my life through the Atlanta Virtuosi Foundation’s educational programs: The Buckhead Youth Orchestra, Casa de la Cultura-Atlanta and Music for Success in USA, Mexico and Ecuador.
My profession as a concert violinist, composer and conductor has taken me to many parts of the world, performing in the cultural centers of Europe, Mexico and Ecuador.
My compositions have been performed in the USA, Europe, Mexico and Latin American.
“All children deserve an education in the arts, one that enables them to create, perform, and communicate their human expressions.
All children are born with creative imaginations and artistic curiosity.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To a nice symphony concert, to a fine restaurant, a tour to the city, a Farmer’s Market, and to my home enjoying together with family and friends a taste of my Mexican cooking.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Website: www.atlantavirtuosifoundation.org

Instagram: maestro_juan_ramirez

Linkedin: Juan Ramirez Casa de la Cultura-Atlanta at Buckhead

Facebook: Juan Ramirez Hernandez

Image Credits
Cheryl Crook Lisa Ellinger