RAMON CATALAN is a versatile Chilean born conductor, pianist and composer, winner of several prizes and special awards, with a vast experience in performing the symphonic repertoire, operas, and musicals, as well as the solo piano and chamber music repertoire.
Mr. Catalan received his early musical education in Chile under the tutelage of Lillian Gomez, Hilda Ferrada and Freddy Varela. Later on, he moved to Argentina, where he studied piano with Gustavo Gatica, graduating with honors from Universidad Nacional de San Juan. In 2000 he moved to the United States. He studied piano with Dr. Cassandria Hannah at Miami Dade Community College and later, under the guidance of Maestro Carlos Riazuelo and Prof. Kemal Gekic, Mr. Catalan completed his masters in Piano Performance and Orchestral Conducting at Florida International University. He also took conducting courses with Dr. Roby George and Maestro Stewart Robertson, developing an important role with ensembles and orchestras in the US. In 2005 he attended the Florida International University Conducting Symposium with Dr. Angela Woo, Dr. Thomas Lee, and Mr. Gary Hill. In 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015 Mr. Catalan attended the Conducting Seminars with Maestro Kurt Masur in Manhattan, New York City. In 2011-12 he studied conducting at the Juilliard School with maestro Vincent La Selva. In 2013 he was one of the 11 eleven conductors selected worldwide to participate in the International Masterclasses Berlin with Kenneth Kiesler and the Berlin Sinfonietta in Germany.
Praised by audiences in Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Germany and throughout the US, Mr. Catalan has collaborated with the Berlin Sinfonietta, Orquesta Juvenil Preparatoria de la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, U.N.S.J. Symphony Orchestra, The Kid's Village Chamber Orchestra, Florida International University Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, FIU Theater, FIU Symphony Orchestra, FIU Opera, The Toscanini Orchestra, FIU New Music Ensemble, FIU Wind Ensemble, The Coral Gables Chamber Symphony, Latin-American Ensemble, FIU Symphonic Band, The Alhambra Orchestra, New York University Film Scoring Orchestra, The Gold Coast Opera, 34th Senior High School Concert Bands, Blue Lake High School Symphony Orchestra, The American Orchestra, Olympus Youth Orchestra, The Classics Orchestra New York, Manhattan Camerata, St. Kieran Choir, Miami Dade College Gospel Ensemble, MDC-North Youth Ensemble, St. Thomas Ensemble, FUMC Chancel Choir, Pacer Choir, and St. John Bell Choir, among others. Premieres as a conductor include the musicals Birds Without Wings (Miami 2006), Miracle in Memphis (New York City 2009), O Night Divine (NYC 2010), and the operas Ektor, The Death of the Buddha (NYC 2010) and Il Pianista Disgraziato (NYC 2013).
Mr. Catalan has been invited to participate in several festivals: Spring Festival of the Arts at Wolfson Miami Dade College, Florida International University Music Festival, Sub-Tropics Contemporary Music Festival in Miami, Florida Atlantic University Film Festival in Boca Raton, 46th Annual Meeting of Composers Miami, Florida Music Educators Association Conference in Tampa, Florida; Southern Regional Conference for the College Band Directors National Association in Atlanta, Georgia; Hampden-Sydney Music Festival, Virginia; Blodgett Recital Series at BLFAC Music Festival, and CBDNA in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
A proud member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), Mr. Catalan's compositions, transcriptions and arrangements have been performed in prestigious venues in the city of New York such as Carnegie Hall, The New York Times building, Saint Jerome's Church, the National Arts Club and the Archdiocese of New York among others.
Mr. Catalan has been commissioned to compose and arrange for H.A.N.D.S. Community Center, Gabriela Mistral Foundation and for Listen to the City Breathe YouTube series. Some of his recent compositions are Misa Catalana for Symphony Orchestra, Soloists and Choir, The Composer (a new musical comedy), various Mass Settings parts, transcriptions for solo piano, and multiple arrangements, among them, The Chilean National Anthem and Gracias a la Vida for piano and strings.
A product of a successful Kickstarter campaign, his solo piano music CD Aires Surenos has traveled to Germany, Chile, Argentina and throughout the US.
As a church musician since 2000, Mr. Catalan has coordinated concerts, conducted operas, performed recitals, played the piano and/or the organ during services, taught music, and served as director and accompanist for adult and children's choirs. From 2000-2008 while living in Miami, FL, Mr. Catalan served at St. Monica Catholic Church, Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer, Jesus is Lord Worship Center, and Fulford United Methodist Church and performed as a guest at St. Kieran and at Iglesia Bautista Resurreccion. In New York City, Mr. Catalan was St. Jerome's music director from 2008 to 2018. During his tenure, he founded and directed St. Cecilia School of Music (2012-13). From 2018-2022, he held the position of music director at Mary, Mother of the Church in Brooklyn. From 2022-2024, he was music director at St. Benedict Joseph Labre in Queens.
He has been requested to play for Special Masses celebrated by Cardinal Egan, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Msgr. Josu Iriondo, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Robert Brennan, and Fr. John Grange among others; Special Masses for the IVE Anniversaries and Special Masses for a Chilean earthquake relief and for Jeronimas de Puebla Anniversary at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. Additionally, he has presented concerts at St. Cecilia Parish in El Barrio, at Christ & St. Stephen Episcopal Church and at Blessed Sacrament Church in the UWS. Other Churches he has played for in NYC are St. Luke, St. Barnabas, Immaculate Conception Church, St. Anthony, St. Theresa, Chapel of Immaculate Conception and St. Athanasius in the Bronx; St. Gabriel, St. Michael, St. Rita, Saints Peter and Paul, St. Catharine of Alexandria and St. John Cantius in Brooklyn; St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Paul, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Brigid in Manhattan; and St. Patrick's in Queens.
As a teacher, Mr. Catalan taught at the Franz Schubert Conservatory and Universidad Nacional de San Juan in Argentina; Miami Dade College and Florida International University in Miami; as faculty member at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan (2006-2017) where he served as assistant conductor of BL Opera and musical theater accompanist. Ramon has also taught Master Classes in the US and abroad and has been adjudicator in festivals and auditions, and has led the creation of several projects, such as, Toscanini Orchestra (Miami), Manhattan Camerata (New York) and St. Cecilia School of Music (New York) among others. He is a proud member of the Steinway Educational Partnership Program.
Mr. Catalan is an Artist Partner with Sing for Hope, a non-profit organization that strives to create outreach programs to connect artists to communities in need and to make art accessible to all throughout New York City. He also served as a member of the Artistic Board of the Gabriela Mistral Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization in New York. Other professional memberships include Ruben Dario Cultural Institute, Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society.
Honors and Awards:
1997 First Prize III Concurso de Interpretacion Musical, San Juan, Argentina
1998 Concerto Competition winner, CCAO-UNSJ, Argentina
1994-99 Scholarship at Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina
1999 Teaching Assistantship at Universidad Nacional de San Juan
2000 Mozarteum Argentino Special Award, San Juan
2000 Silver Medal and Honor Diploma, Universidad Nacional de San Juan
2001 Excellence in Piano Performance, Miami Dade Community College
2003 Teaching Assistantship at Florida International University
2003-05 Full Scholarship for Graduate Studies in Piano Performance at Florida International University
2005-07 Graduate Studies scholarship for Orchestral Conducting at Florida International University
2006 Special Award, Sociedad Gabriela Mistral, Miami
2006 Recommended for the Chancellor’s List
2006 Cultural Achievement Award, Ruben Dario Cultural Institute, Miami
2007 Concerto Competition finalist, Florida International University
2011 Acknowledgement Diploma, Panama City, Panama
2013 Selected worldwide to conduct the Berlin Sinfonietta (International Berlin Masterclasses)
2014 Steinway Educational Partnership diploma
2019 Notes for Growth Ambassador, New York
2021 Appointed Godfather of Orquesta Juvenil Liceo Bicentenario Santa Cruz de Larqui in Bulnes, Chile
Mr. Catalan has been a resident of New York City since 2008. Now he is Music Director at Ss. Peter and Paul / Epiphany in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He and his wife Angela and their little daughters, live in the neighborhood of Astoria in New York.
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RAMÓN CATALÁN, versátil director de orquesta, pianista y compositor con residencia en la ciudad de New York. Se ha presentado exitosamente en Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, México, Panamá, Alemania y a lo largo de los Estados Unidos. El público alaba su arte, precisión técnica, pasión y dedicación al más profundo mensaje musical que ofrecen los compositores del pasado y presente. Ha recibido numerosos premios y distinciones especiales. Su vasta experiencia abarca el repertorio sinfónico, óperas y musicales, así como también en el repertorio de piano solo y música de cámara.
El Sr. Catalán recibió su temprana educación musical en su Chile natal de la mano de Lillian Gomez, Hilda Ferrada y en Concepción con el prof. Freddy Varela. Posteriormente se graduó con honores en la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina, bajo la tutela del prof. Gustavo Gatica. En el 2000 se trasladó a los Estados Unidos, donde tomó lecciones de piano con la Dra. Cassandria Hannah en Miami Dade Community College. Más tarde completó sus estudios de masters en piano y dirección orquestal en la Florida International University, United States, bajo la dirección de Kemal Gekic y Carlos Riazuelo, respectivamente. También estudió dirección con el Dr. Roby George y con el maestro Stewart Robertson. En 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 y 2015 asistió a los Seminarios de Dirección Orquestal dictados por el maestro Kurt Masur en Manhattan, New York. Durante 2011-12 cursó estudios de perfeccionamiento con el renombrado maestro Vincent La Selva en la afamada Juilliard School de New York. En 2013 fue uno de los 11 directores seleccionados a nivel mundial para participar en International Berlin Masterclasses con el maestro Kenneth Kiesler y la Berlin Sinfonietta, Alemania.
Como director de orquesta, ha dirigido las premieres de los musicales Birds without Wings (Miami 2006), Miracle in Memphis (Nueva York 2009), O Night Divine (NYC 2010) y las óperas Ektor, The Death of the Buddha (NYC 2010) y Il Pianista Disgraziato (NYC 2013). También ha dirigido numerosas orquestas, destacándose sus actuaciones con la Berlin Sinfonietta, Florida International University Symphony Orchestra, FIU Opera, FIU Theater, The Toscanini Orchestra, New York University Film Orchestra, The Classics Chamber Orchestra New York, Apollo Opera Company, Blue Lake Opera, Blue Lake Chamber Orchestra, Orquesta Juvenil de la Escuela Juvenil de Música (Panamá), entre otras.
Como pianista, se ha presentado con las Orquestas: Sinfónica de la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Orquesta Preparatoria UNSJ, Florida International University Wind Ensemble, The American Orchestra, FIU New Music Ensemble, Coral Gables Chamber Symphony, Gold Coast Opera y con la Alhambra Orchestra, entre otras. Se ha presentado en los Grammy Latinos, Carnegie Hall, The New York Times, New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Steinway Gallery Miami y Wertheim Performing Arts Center, entre otros.
El Sr. Catalán ha tenido también una destacada participación en numerosos festivales: Spring Festival of the Arts at Wolfson, Miami; Southern Regional Conference for the College Band Directors National Association,Atlanta, Georgia; FIU Music Festival, Miami; Hampden-Sydney Music Festival, Virginia; Blodgett Recital Series at BLFAC Music Festival, Michigan; Sub-Tropics Contemporary Music Festival, Miami; Florida Atlantic University Film Festival, Florida; 46th Annual Meeting of Composers, Miami; CBDNA in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Florida Music Educators Association Conference in Tampa, Florida; I Christian Music Festival, Bronx, New York; Grumo Festival New York City. Compositor, miembro de ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), sus composiciones, transcripciones y arreglos han sido presentados en prestigiosos escenarios de la ciudad de New York, tales como Carnegie Hall, The New York Times building, St. Jerome's Church, The National Arts Club y en la Arquidiócesis de New York. El Sr. Catalan ha sido comisionado para componer y arreglar música para H.A.N.D.S. Community Center, Gabriela Mistral Foundation y para Listen to the City Breathe YouTube series. Algunas de sus más recientes composiciones incluyen: Misa Catalana para orquesta sinfónica, solistas y coro; The Composer (comedia musical); varias partes para Misa; Transcripciones para piano solo y múltiples arreglos, entre ellos el Himno Nacional de Chile y Gracias a la Vida para piano y orquesta de cuerdas.
Producto de una exitosa campaña Kickstarter, su CD Aires Sureños, con música original para piano solo, ha viajado hasta Alemania, Chile, Argentina y por todo Estados Unidos.
Como músico eclesiástico, desde el año 2000, el Sr. Catalán ha coordinado conciertos, dirigido óperas, tocado en recitales, tocado el piano y/o el órgano durante los servicios, dirigido coros, enseñado música y acompañado coros de adultos y niños. En Miami, Florida (2000-2008) el Sr. Catalan sirvió en las Iglesias St. Monica, Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer, Jesus is lord Worship Center y Fulford United Methodist Church y se presentó como artista invitado en St. Kieran y en la Iglesia Bautista Resurreccion. En New York City, el Sr. Catalán fue Director Musical de la Iglesia St. Jerome (2008-18). Durante su dirección, entre otras cosas, fundó y dirigió St. Cecilia School of Music (2012-13). Desde el 2018-2022 se desempeno como director musical y organista/pianista principal en Mary, Mother of the Church, Brooklyn. Desde 2022-2024 fue director musical en St. Benedict Joseph Labre, Queens.
Ha sido invitado para tocar en misas especiales celebradas por Cardinal Egan, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Msgr. Josu Iriondo, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Robert Brennan y Fr. John Grange, entre otros; para los aniversarios de IVE y para misas en St. Patrick 's Cathedral por el terremoto del 2010 en su natal Chile y para el aniversario de la Orden Jerónimas de Puebla. También ha presentado conciertos en St. Cecilia Parish en El Barrio NY, Christ & St. Stephen Episcopal Church y en Blessed Sacrament UWS, Manhattan. Otras Iglesias para las que ha tocado en la ciudad de New York son: St. Luke, St. Barnabas, St. Theresa, Immaculate Conception Church, St. Anthony y St. Athanasius en el Bronx; St. Gabriel, St. Michael, Saints Peter and Paul, St. Catharine of Alexandria y St. John Cantius en Brooklyn; St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Paul, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel y St. Brigid en Manhattan; St. Patrick 's en Queens.
Como docente, enseñó en el Conservatorio Franz Schubert y Universidad Nacional de San Juan (Argentina); Miami Dade College y Florida International University (Miami); y en Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (Michigan),donde se desempeñó desde el 2006 al 2017 como director asociado y pianista en el programa de ópera y teatro musical. Además ha dictado Master Classes en Estados Unidos y en el extranjero y ha sido jurado en certámenes y audiciones. También ha liderado la creación de numerosos proyectos tales como Toscanini Orchestra (Miami), Manhattan Camerata (New York), Apollo Opera (New York) y St. Cecilia School of Music (New York) entre tantos otros. Es a su vez miembro de Steinway Educational Partnership Program.
El Sr. Catalán es Artist Partner de Sing for Hope, una institución sin fines de lucro cuyo fin es conectar artistas con la comunidad y así hacer el arte más accesible en todo New York. Se desempeñó también como miembro del Consejo Artístico de Gabriela Mistral Foundation Inc., una organización sin fines de lucro basada en New York. Otras membresías a nivel profesional incluyen Ruben Dario Cultural Institute, Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society y Golden Key International Honor Society.
Premios y Reconocimientos:
1994-99 Becado en la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina
1997 Primer Premio, III Concurso de Interpretación Musical, San Juan, Argentina
1998 Ganador Concerto Competition, CCAO-U.N.S.J., Argentina
1999 Profesor Asistente, cargo ganado por concurso en la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina
2000 Premio Mozarteum Argentino, San Juan
2000 Diploma de Honor y Medalla de Plata, Universidad Nacional de San Juan
2001 Excellence in Piano Performance, Miami Dade College
2003 Teaching Assistantship, Florida International University
2003-05 Becado, Graduate Studies in Piano Performance, Florida International University
2005-07 Becado, Graduate Studies in Orchestral Conducting, Florida International University
2006 Special Award, Sociedad Gabriela Mistral de Miami
2006 Recomendado para The Chancellor's List
2006 Cultural Achievement Award, Ruben Dario Cultural Institute, Miami
2007 Finalista Concerto Competition, Florida International University
2011 Diploma de Reconocimiento, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
2013 Seleccionado a nivel mundial para dirigir la Berlin Sinfonietta (International Berlin Masterclasses)
2014 Diploma Steinway Educational Partnership
2018 Es nombrado Piano Ambassador para Notes for Growth Foundation, New York
2021 Es nombrado Padrino de la Orquesta Juvenil del Liceo Bicentenario Santa Cruz de Larqui en Bulnes, Chile
En la actualidad se desempeña como Director Musical en Ss. Peter and Paul / Epiphany en Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Está casado con la pianista Angela Leising y juntos, con sus pequeñas hijas, hacen su hogar en la ciudad de New York.
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Since his first public appearance in 1983, Mr. Catalan has performed extensively with numerous orchestras, ensembles and opera companies in the American and European continents. Some of them are:
OPERAS
E. HUMPERDINCK Hansel and Gretel Blue Lake Opera, Michigan
G. LUPIS Il Pianista Disgraziato (World Premiere, NYC) Apollo Opera Company, New York City
G.C. MENOTTI The Telephone Apollo Opera Company
P. MOLINA La Sargento de la Concepcion Independent Production, New Jersey
W.A. MOZART Bastien und Bastienne Apollo Opera Company
Der Schauspieldirektor Apollo Opera Company
Der Schauspieldirektor Blue Lake Opera
J. NIBLOCK The Last Leaf Blue Lake Opera
Ruth and Naomi Blue Lake Opera
G.B. PERGOLESI La Serva Padrona Apollo Opera Company
G. PUCCINI La Boheme Blue Lake Opera
G. TELEMANN Pimpinone Apollo Opera Company
G. TSOURIS Ektor (World Premiere, NYC) Apollo Opera Company
The Death of the Buddha (World Premiere, NYC) Apollo Opera Company
OPERETTAS
G. BIZET Le Docteur Miracle Blue Lake Opera
J. OFFENBACH Le 66 Apollo Opera Company
The Island of the Tulipatan Florida International University, Miami
The Marriage under the Lanterns Florida International University
The Marriage under the Lanterns Apollo Opera Company
MUSICALS
G. AMIR A Free Bird (Sneak Peek-NYC) A Free Bird Organization Production
B. FERRADAS Birds without Wings (World Premiere, Miami) Independent Production
KIRSCHNER-COYLE O Night Divine (World Premiere, NYC) Silver Phoenix Entertainment
M. LOWE Miracle in Memphis (NYC Premiere) On Stage City Productions
A. ROCCELLA Does New York Heart Me?
S. SONDHEIM A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum Florida International University
CH. STROUSE Bye Bye Birdie Moore Catholic High School, Staten Island, NYC
G. TSOURIS - R. CATALAN The Composer
OTHER OPERA EXPERIENCES
J.P. CARRENO Drenka Balich Actor/Pianist (World Premiere, Miami) FIU Independent Experimental Production
G. PUCCINI Tosca (Pit Musician) Gold Coast Opera, Florida
ORCHESTRAS, ENSEMBLES & OPERA COMPANIES
ARGENTINA
Orquesta Preparatoria UNSJ, San Juan; Orquesta Sinfonica UNSJ, San Juan.
GERMANY
Berlin Sinfonietta.
PANAMA
Orquesta Juvenil de la Escuela Juvenil de Musica; Red Orquestal Aguas del Chorrillo (ROAC).
UNITED STATES
FIU Symphony Orchestra, Miami; FIU Wind Ensemble, Miami; FIU Symphonic Band, Miami; FIU Opera, Miami; FIU New Music Ensemble, Miami; FIU Contemporary Music Group, Miami; FIU Theater, Miami; O Night Divine cast and band, New York; Miracle in Memphis cast and band, New York; Apollo Opera Company, New York; Kid's Village Chamber Orchestra, Doral; LSC Opera Orchestra; Toscanini Orchestra, Miami; Gold Coast Opera, Palm Beach; The Coral Gables Chamber Symphony, Miami; The Latin American Ensemble; The Alhambra Orchestra, Miami; 34th Senior High School Concert Bands, Miami; Goldsworthy Park Band, Michigan; Blue Lake High School Symphony, Michigan; Blue Lake Musical Theater ensembles, Michigan; Blue Lake Chamber Orchestra, Michigan; Blue Lake Opera, Michigan; The American Orchestra; Olympus Youth Orchestra; Manhattan Camerata, New York; The Classics Chamber Orchestra New York; MDC-North Youth Ensemble, Miami; NYU Film Scoring Orchestra, New York; Astoria Community Orchestra Project, New York.
CHOIRS
Religious Family of the IVE Choir; St. Thomas Ensemble, Miami; St. Kieran Ensemble, Miami; St. Gabriel Choirs, New York; St. John Cantius Choirs, New York; St. Louis Bell Choir, Miami; MDC Gospel Ensemble, Miami; Pacer Choir, Miami; FUMC Chancel Choir, Miami; St. Monica Children's Choir, Miami; St. Cecilia Children's Choir (St. Paul), New York; St. Jerome Children's Choir, New York; St. John Lutheran Church Chorus, Passaic, New Jersey; St. Luke Unity Choir, New York; St. Benedict Joseph Labre Choirs, New York; Holy Child Jesus Choirs, New York; St. Joseph Astoria Choirs, New York.
Sala Schaeffer, Chillan-CHILE