Rafael Ramirez

Began his music studies at an early age in Venezuela and got involved in classical music with “El Sistema” Simon Bolivar in 1992. After immigrating to the United States, he studied at the New World School for the Arts/University of Florida, earning his bachelor's degree with Honors. Rafael Ramirez holds a master's degree from Florida International University, an Artist Diploma, and a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Miami.

His honors include being a two-time winner at the Binational Colombia-Venezuela Mandolin Competition in Capacho, Venezuela, an Award with the Slava Bogu String Quartet Bogotá, Colombia, and a two-time First Prize winner of the chamber music competition at Florida International University (2006 and 2007).

Engagements have included appearances as a soloist with the Albany Symphony, Gainesville Orchestra, Sarasota Chamber Orchestra, Sarasota Opera, Miami Bach Society, Opera Tampa, Venice Symphony Chamber Players, DeSota Baroque Ensemble, Youth Symphony Orchestra of Táchira State, Venezuela, Camerata San Cristobal, and The Broward Symphony.

Rafael Ramirez is a member of the Venice Symphony, the Lakeland Symphony, The Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, and the Gainesville Orchestra.

As a music educator, Dr. Ramirez has created Music Educational Tools®, didactic tools to aid string performers to acquire the necessary skills to develop technique. Dr. Ramirez is an adjunct Faculty at Florida Southern College.