Faculty

RAFAEL REYES

Conductor and music educator graduated from the National University of Music (formerly the National Conservatory of Peru). Founder and director of RR Academy, an educational proposal supported by more than 15 years of experience. He serves as a music teacher at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International School, where he manages the choir, percussion ensemble, band, and string orchestra.

In July 2018, he attended the “AEYTB 2018 Festival” organized by the Spanish Association of Tubas and Euphoniums in Madrid, Spain. In June 2019, he participated in the «Orchestral Conducting Workshop» as one of the 20 selected conductors from a pool of over 100 applicants worldwide. This took place in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. In September 2019, he participated in the International Festival of Cusco held at the Municipal Theater of the same city, sharing the stage with ensembles from various Latin American countries and performing Mozart’s «Gloria» as a baritone soloist. In October 2021, he served as a guest conductor for the “Festival: Por Esto Cantamos Juntos” in Pasto, Nariño, Colombia, where he not only prepared and conducted the city orchestra of «El Tambo» but also led the «Orchestral Strengthening Workshop» aimed at young students and music teachers in the city.

In May 2023, he traveled to Quito, Ecuador, to be part of the preparation team for ensembles at the AMIS Honor Choir Festival, and in July, he traveled to Jaén as a conductor to participate in the 4th National Meeting of Orchestras and Choirs, conducting a youth orchestra with over 200 musicians on stage. In May 2024, he will return to participate in the AMIS HCF, this time in Bogotá, Colombia.

In June 2024, he traveled to Houston, Texas, as guest conductor of the Young Artists Music Festival, organized by The Americas Cultural Youth Orchestra. Last April, he conducted the Peruvian-American Orchestra at the historic Teatro Segura in Lima, featuring students from Martin High School in Arlington, United States.

He is currently the artistic director of the National Orchestra Festival organized in Lima and works intensively as a workshop leader for youth symphony orchestras in the interior of Peru.

He recently visited Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and the Cayman Islands as a singing and wind instrument instructor for the renowned AMIS international festival. Together with RR Academy, he is part of the Northern Music Community, an initiative that brings together symphony orchestras from Huacho, Jaén, and Lima in a project designed to benefit children and young people by providing access to musical training in a pre-professional environment.

 

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NICHOLAS LEH BAKER

Texas-born conductor, Nicholas Leh Baker, is quickly establishing himself as a dynamic conductor and teacher of conducting with expertise in leveraging in-depth knowledge and experience of the orchestral standard and contemporary repertoire. Praised for a great personable demeanor, strong work ethic, and high dedication to the success and comprehensive understanding of the importance of every students’ success in the orchestral environment. Nicholas has been recently been selected as a finalist for The 2023-2024 American Prize in Conducting. He has been praised for his conducting style, energy, and connection with the music. The Houston Chronicle has applauded Nicholas for his innovative programming, calling him The «Idea Man.»

Nicholas is currently the Artistic Director of The Americas Cultural Youth Orchestra, head faculty at The Lima Conducting Workshop in Lima, Peru with Rafael Reyes, and Festival Director and Chief Conductor of Young Artists Music Festival in Texas. He frequently assist and is cover conductor for ensembles at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music as well as assistant conductor of The Houston Brass Band.

In the past Nicholas made debuts with the Lviv Philharmonic in the Ukraine, The String Orchestra of Brooklyn with guest violinist, Giora Schmidt, the Austin Symphony and with the Syzygy Contemporary Ensemble at the Meadows School of the Arts. He has previously worked with professional ensembles including the, Alia Musica Pittsburgh, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, Shepherd School of Music, Sonus Chamber Orchestra, and held the principal guest conducting position with Houston Symphonic Band for 3 years. In addition, Nicholas has served as the resident conductor for The Foundation of Modern Music.

Nicholas has actively participated in several masterclasses and distinguished festivals, most notably with world-renowned conducting teachers, Marin Alsop and Gustav Meier at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and the International Conducting Workshop and Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Nicholas is also a dedicated violinist and chamber musician, known for founding Duo Scordatura, an ensemble dedicated to premiering numerous new chamber music works. His contributions have garnered praise from critics and composers alike, making him a promising talent. Duo Scordatura made their Carnegie Hall debut to a nearly sold out audience in 2016 under his leadership as the artistic director.

Nicholas Leh Baker is a graduate of SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts. His notable conducting teachers including Larry Rachleff, Don Schleicher, Gustav Meier, and Paul Phillips.