S U P E R I O R S C H O O L O F M U S I C C O S T A R I C A
Tch. Andrés Gómez Guzmán
GENERAL DIRECTOR
Singing (lyrical and popular) - Piano (Classical and Popular)
He started his musical studies at 4 years old, starting his classical piano studies until he was 22 years old with Tch. Serafín Zapata Junnior, continuing his vocal and instrumental process (classical piano) at the Diocesan Superior School of Sacred Music in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (2002 - 2003). He has led the musical chair with renowned teachers both in music pedagogy, as well as in the specialty of lyrical singing and classical piano; The Superior School of Music Costa Rica, from its foundation to the present day, is the only institution in the country with international agreements with schools of high standards, which allows the Master. Gómez Guzmán let his students experience music outside the classroom in the reality that music demands.
With postgraduate studies in Mexico and Italy (Arrigo Boito Conservatory in Parma), he has led musical chairs, being a student with renowned international artists such as Tch. Domingo Lobato, Tch. Víctor Manuel Amaral, Tch. Íride Martínez Conde (acclaimed worldwide for being the only Costa Rican lyrical soprano on the best stages), Tch. Montserrat Caballé (where he debuted and held the International Lyrical Singing Contest in 2012) and the baritone Tch. Romano Franceschetto, with whom he had the opportunity to carry out postgraduate studies in lyrical singing, among others. As a Baritone, he has performed roles in operas such as "La Cambiale di Matrimonio, Barbero de Sevilla, Carmen, Tosca, Ariadne auf Naxos, Nabucco, Die Zauberflöte, Don Giovanni, among others", he has toured Spain, Italy, England, Switzerland , Germany, United States, Mexico, Panama.
As ESMCR's general director, his main goal is that the students of the institution achieve on a large scale with "freedom, study and passion" the musical discipline, he continues implementing methodological and pedagogical investigations, in addition to virtuosic techniques, which are incorporated in the administration of the school under his charge. He is currently active as a musician outside of Costa Rica, which also allows all of his students to obtain direct and indirect benefits with producers, teachers and schools of great prestige worldwide recognized. In April 2020, he will be a guest speaker at the Latin American Congress of Music Schools in the Dominican Republic (CLAEM XI)
Tch. Mauricio Ramirez Brenes
Artistic Coordinator
He began his musical studies at the age of 10 at the Municipal School of Music of Paraíso where he graduated and obtained the Middle Technician in Music with an emphasis on Trumpet, later he studied Musical Education, Teaching and Educational Administration at the Continental University of Sciences and Arts UCCart, Universidad San Macos, Universidad Florencio del Castillo, obtains an ALCM degree in Classical Trumpet from the University of West London in England through the international career program of the Higher School of Costa Rican Music.
He currently works as a professor and Academic Coordinator of the Costa Rica Higher School of Music and trumpeter of the Cartago Concert Band of the MCJ. Current Trumpet Professor at the Municipal School of Music of Jiménez and Municipal School of Music of the Union of Tres Ríos. He has participated as Principal Trumpeter in the Symphony Orchestra that accompanied tenor Plácido Domingo in his concert in Costa Rica in November 2008, Cartago Symphony Orchestra (2009) and the Bach Academy Symphony Orchestra, and as Trumpeter with the Band and Orchestra from the Municipal School of Music of Paraíso on several tours inside and outside the country, principal trumpeter in the operas El Barbero de Sevilla (2007) and Rigoletto (2008), trumpeter in the show Jairo Sinfónico (2009), Voces del Mundo orchestra ( 2005) in addition to various Creativity Festivals and Band Festivals at the national level, Symphonic Band of the National Institute of Music, Intermediate and Advanced Bands of the University of Costa Rica as well as in several National Band Selections (General Directorate of Bands of the MCJ ).
He has received classes and masterclasses with teachers Daniel Crespo (Argentina), Alejandro Gómez H. (Spain), Dr. Gilberth Johnson (USA), the Atlantic Brass Quintet (USA), Fred Sautter (USA) at the UNA 2009 Bronze Seminar and In 2010 and 2011 he participated with the ECOBRASS brass quintet in the prestigious “Rafael Méndez Brass Institute” Bronze Seminar at the University of Denver in Colorado, United States, organized by the Summit Brass where he received master classes with Martin Hackleman, Ronald Romm , Richard Cox and Alan Hood among others.
He participated as a trumpet teacher in the band festival that took place in Villa Carlos Paz Córdoba-Argentina in 2012 and as a guest soloist with the band of the municipality of Rafaela in Córdoba-Argentina in 2018 under the direction of Esteban Fernández, performing in the same tour holds master classes for bronze instrumentalists in the cities of Rafaela and Arroyito.
Tch. Gabriel Morera Córdoba
Composition and Classic Piano
He began his musical studies at the Mercedes Norte Municipal School of Music with Alisa Gorodensky. In 2008, he entered UNA, where he studied music and piano teaching with Rosa Quesada, Gerardo Meza, Ludmila Melzer and Alexandr Sklioutovski. In 2011, he entered the UCR where he studied composition with Professor MM Carlos Castro, and direction with Professor Dr. Alejandro Gutiérrez. In 2013 he was recognized by the University of Costa Rica as "first average" in composition and directing careers.
He has also participated in musical projects coordinated by the maestro MM Leonardo Gell; the “Reading of Costa Rican works” carried out in 2014 by the National Symphony Orchestra. In 2017 he graduated with honors from the Bachelor of Music program with an emphasis in composition and in 2018 from the Bachelor of Music career with an emphasis in direction, at the University of Costa Rica. His music has been selected twice in the international piano competition / festival "The Music of the Century", in its 2016 and 2018 editions. In 2019, his work "Venus" was winner of the national contest "young composers" and performed by the national symphony orchestra.
Tch. Roberto Antillón Freer
Guitar Specialist (Acoustic, Electric and Classical)
Graduate (Postgraduate level) in Sciences in Music Education, with an emphasis in Music Teaching, from the Free University of Costa Rica. He began his studies at the University of Costa Rica, in the areas of classical guitar with Maestro Mario Solera, and composition with Maestro Bernal Flores. After that, in Spain, he studied at the Tomás Luis de Victoria Conservatory in Madrid and with maestro Giovanni Rodríguez.
Currently, in addition to the electric and acoustic guitar, and also the Renaissance lute, Roberto has dedicated himself to the interpretation of Jazz music on guitar. Initially, as a student of the Brazilian guitarist Bruno Wagner, and later, with the American guitarists Ralph Pritikin, Lindsay Blair, Jeff Caldwell, Tom Dempsey and Rodney Jones. Mr. Antillón also studied jazz music at Florida International University, as well as National Guitar. Workshop in Los Angeles in 2010, at the Santa Catarina International Music Festival in Brazil in 2011 and the Julliard Jazz Camp held in Utah at Snow College in 2011. At the same time, he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Engineering from the International University of the Americas. Roberto has performed many times in the most important national concert halls: National Theater, Melico Salazar Theater, National Auditorium and Eugene O ́neil concert hall, with Costa Rican groups, such as the Big Band of Costa Rica, Sasha Campbell and also accompanists from international musicians such as: Maggie Carles and Oscar Stagnaro. In 1998 he was part of the International Orchestra of the OTI Song Festival, held in Costa Rica in 1998.
Mr. Antillón currently teaches guitar and Jazz music privately, as well as at the University of Costa Rica, being the creator and teacher of the Jazz Guitar course in the program: "Open Music Program", as well as at Casa of Culture of Ciudad Colón, and have also taught in different musical programs of the Ministries of Culture and Education such as: Santa Ana (Municipal School of Integrated Arts), Desamparados Municipal Music Schools, and Santa Bárbara de Heredia, from 2003 to 2013. He is currently a member of the groups: Salaberry Tango Quartet and Dúo A Grosso modo.
Tch. Andrés Mateus Anzola
Drums Specialist
Dozens of concerts in various stages of Colombia, the United States and Costa Rica, and various collaborations with artists from son, salsa, Latin jazz, hip-hop, Colombian music, rock and fusion, frame the life and artistic career of the young Colombian musician Andrés Orlando Mateus Anzola; His training as a Bachelor of Music Training with an Emphasis on the Execution of Latin Percussion from the El Bosque University of Colombia, his creativity and the excellence present in each of his projects and participations, have made him stand out in his work as a performer, pedagogue , ensemble director and researcher of Latin American music.
During his career he has shared on stage and in the studio with groups such as the Latin Grammy nominees Los Petit Fellas, Distrito Pacífico, The Woods Ensemble - Aguajé, La Kumba Sónica, Mr. Guatak, Big Band UnBosque, Banda Fiestera UnBosque and Grupo La Nuit, an ensemble that he directed for more than 4 years; in turn, he has been a speaker, special guest and performing instrumentalist at renowned festivals such as the XXV Jazz Fest at the University of Louisville in the United States, the II Berklee Latino Program in Colombia, the XLIV National Contest of Musical Bands of Colombia, and the 1st Mesoamerican and Caribbean Regional Meeting of FLADEM held in Costa Rica.
Tch. Dulce Santos Azurdia
Specialist in Singing and Choral Direction
Musical educator graduated from the “Jesús María Alvarado” Normal School for music teachers.
In 2010 she began her studies at the San Carlos University of Guatemala, specializing in Lyrical Singing with professors Byron Dardón, Francisco Guillén and Blanca Herrera, obtaining her degree in 2014.
She has been a member of the Victoria Choir within the soprano register, having the opportunity to travel to various countries in Central America, North America, Europe and Asia participating in festivals, refresher workshops and choral and artistic exchanges.
She was a member of the teaching staff of the National Conservatory of Music in the areas of Musical Language and Musical Audition (2011 – 2015) and of the Normal School for music teachers in the areas of vocal technique, musical language and choral ensemble ( 2013 – 2015).
In 2016 she traveled to Costa Rica to begin her specialty in Choral Conducting at the National University of Costa Rica, under the tutelage of the Master David Ramírez Alpízar, obtaining in 2021 the degree of graduate in choral conducting.
In Costa Rica she worked with the student promotion department of the National University of Costa Rica as a teacher of Popular Singing in the artistic workshops organized by said department (2019 – 2021) and at the “Victoria Cantabile” academy as a teacher of singing and choral direction. (2020). Likewise, she was a professor in charge of the singing area of the UNA window open to music project, as part of the pre-university program of the National University (2021).
Within her experience as a director is work with various choral workshops at the National University of Costa Rica throughout her Choral Conducting career, and with children's choirs as assistant to the “Niños Cantores de Guatemala” Choir and the Children's Choir. of the Spanish Center in Guatemala, as well as director of the Children's Choir of the Contexto Foundation, Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala; ADIDAC Children's Choir, Alajuelita, Costa Rica; SINEM Children's Choir, Pavas, Costa Rica; Athenian Goldfinch Choir and youth choir of Athens, Athens Music School, Costa Rica and “Adam Liszt” Choir of the Franz Liszt Schule.
In 2022, together with the Normal School for Music Education teachers and teacher Julio Santos, he organizes the training workshop in Choral Conducting developed in Guatemala City divided into three follow-up stages (March and July 2022, January 2023). Aimed at people aspiring to a career in choral conducting.
She currently directs the project “Liberum Voces, choral ensemble”, which she created in April 2023 independently in the city of Heredia, Costa Rica.
Tch. Alejandro Gómez Hurtado
Trumpet Specialist
At just 17 years old, he will obtain the diploma of superior trumpet teacher. Subsequently, he completed postgraduate studies at the Hochschule für Musik "Hans Eisler" in Berlin. He has been a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Spain (JONDE), the Gustav Mahler Jugend Orchester (records for EMI and Deutsche Gramophon) or the Lucerne Festival Academy. He has worked under the most prestigious batons of our time: Abbado, Boulez, Nagano, Rattle, Welzer-Möst, Thilemann, Rostropovich, López-Cobos,...
To date, two concerts have been composed inspired by his trumpet skills: “Cádiz 2012” (Timo-Kyllonen) commissioned by the Bicentennial Commission of the Cortes de Cádiz and “LORCA” (José Luís López-Mingo Ballesteros).
He is frequently requested to teach courses and masterclasses not only in Spain but also in other countries such as: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Germany, France, Portugal, Poland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Azerbaijan... He is a specialist in natural trumpet and key trumpet.
As a researcher, he already has four officially registered publications (ISNN) to his credit.
Parallel to his musical life, he develops a strong socio-cultural work, being a founding member of the NGO Institución Masonica Hospitalaria, of which he is its President. He is currently a trumpet player with the Municipal Band of Jaén, soloist with the Málaga Symphony Orchestra and FIDES artist.
Tch. Freddy Mora Quiros
Specialist in Clarinet and Musical Theory
He began his musical studies on clarinet at the Casa de la Cultura in Ciudad Colón in 2011, an institution where he had the opportunity to participate in the Wind Ensemble and Advanced Orchestra, in 2012 he joined the San José Municipal Band. where he served as principal clarinetist and with which he participated in the II Guatemalan International Band Championship (2015), where the Band won first place in the concert category.
In 2014, he entered the basic stage program of the University of Costa Rica in the specialty of Clarinet under the tutelage of Dr. Yamileth Pérez Mora, an institution where he completed his baccalaureate and undergraduate degree between the years 2016 - 2021. In the In 2021 he traveled to the United States to continue his master's studies in clarinet performance at The University of Southern Mississippi, which he concluded in 2023 under the tutelage of Dr. Jacqueline McIlwain.
As the winner of the 2022-2023 WPB Concert Competition at the University of Southern Mississippi, he had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Wind Ensemble of The University of Southern Mississippi the work “Black Dog, Rhapsody for Clarinet” by the American composer Scott McAllister, and as a member and founding member of the “Solstice” reed quintet in 2022 won first prize in the chamber music division of the Mississippi Music Teachers Association collegiate competition.
Freddy has received master classes with important clarinetists such as Dr. Julie Detweiler (Florida State University), Bettina Aust (Principal Clarinet of the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra), Kathya Galleguillos (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso), Antonio Saiote (Clarinetist and director of the Porto Academy Orchestra), Juan Ferrer (First clarinet of the Galician Symphony Orchestra), Philippe Cupper (Principal clarinet of the National Orchestra of the Paris Opera), Stephanie Zelnick (Kansas University), Fernando Domínguez (Autonomous University of Mexico), Akropolis Reed Quintet (professional chamber music group), among others.
Mtro. Mackdiel Barrios Molina
Especialista en Producción Musical y Bajo Eléctrico
Mack Barrios, un talentoso músico y educador costarricense, comenzó su viaje musical en la Universidad de Costa Rica, enfocándose en el contrabajo antes de avanzar a la Universidad Nacional para concluir sus estudios de Licenciatura en Música con énfasis en Educación Musical, destacándose como Estudiante Insignia por sus contribuciones al Departamento UNA Producción Musical y otros departamentos.
Como educador, participó en 4 Seminarios Latinoamericanos de Educación Musical en países como Costa Rica, México, Perú y Colombia, adquiriendo conocimientos de renombrados maestros latinoamericanos, especialmente bajo la tutela de Violeta Hemsy de Gainza en 'Pedagogías Abiertas'. Además, ha asistido a diversas clases maestras y seminarios nacionales e internacionales.
En el ámbito musical, se ha destacado como bajista de bajo eléctrico en la escena popular, participando en giras internacionales, ofreciendo clases magistrales para la Universidad de Costa Rica y colaborando en diversos géneros musicales, desde el pop e indie hasta el funk y la salsa. Ha recibido clases magistrales de músicos reconocidos mundialmente como Mike Stern, Tom Kennedy, Igor Saavedra, entre otros.
Su incursión como productor musical inició con el reconocido músico Dr. Carlomagno Araya Morera, colaborando en el disco 'Almas en Vuelo', trabajando con artistas como Humberto Vargas, Bernal Villegas y María Pretiz. Mack ha sido asistente de producción musical y luego ingeniero de grabación, mezcla y masterización en más de 50 proyectos, algunos premiados a nivel nacional.
En la actualidad, Mack continúa su formación, cursando una Maestría Internacional en Docencia Universitaria en dos universidades, la Universidad Europea del Atlántico (ES) y la Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana (MX), como parte de su desarrollo como educador en la educación superior.
