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          Born in Mexico City, Ricardo J. Montoya is an active violin performer and teacher currently based in Houston, Texas. 

Mr. Montoya received his Bachelor of Music from the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico, and his Master’s degree from Moores School of Music – University of Houston. During his master’s studies, he was a recipient of the Melcher Violin Fellowship, and a member of the Tomatz String Quartet, a representative ensemble of the MSM. Ricardo is currently pursuing his Doctoral Degree of Musical Arts in Violin Performance with a minor in Conducting at the University of Houston, where he is studying with Dr. Kirsten Yon and Franz Anton Krager as mentors. 

 

As an orchestral musician, Montoya has been a member of several orchestras in his home country, including Carlos Chavez Orchestra and Eduardo Mata Orchestra, performing in the principal venues of the country. He was also being invited to perform with professional orchestras such as Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional and San Luis Potosí Simphony Orchestra. Ricardo is now an active performer in the Moores School Symphony Orchestra and Moores School Opera orchestra.

In March 2018, Ricardo was the winner of the Concerto Competition by Carlos Chavez Orchestra, where he performed Goldmark’s Violin Concerto in A minor, op.28. 

 

Ricardo has actively participated in music festivals and masterclasses in Mexico, the United States, and  Spain such as the International Music Festival of Vitoria-Gasteiz, International Music Festival of Tequila, and Dudamel’s American Encounters, and having lessons with distinguished violinists and ensembles such as Sergei Kravchenko, Gil Shaham, the Formosa Quartet and the Modigliani Quartet. 

 

Mr. Montoya is also a faithful ambassador of Mexican culture and Mariachi music. He is an active member of Mariachi Pumas at UH and he is also an active performer in Mariachi Imperial de America.