Rafael Rodriguez
Assistant Professor of Conducting,
Director of Orchestra and Jazz Studies at
Augsburg State University, Minneapolis, Minnesota
“Rafael’s ability to bring musicians together into a cohesive whole is truly remarkable, his preparation of my scores is admirable, his professionalism on the podium is a delight, and I have always felt confident and secure knowing that my music is in good hands and is being prepared immaculately well.”
-Reinaldo Moya
Composer
“Conductor Rafael Rodriguez led the excellent pit-band... who made a vivid impression.”
-Star Tribune
Minneapolis, MN
"Rafael Rodriguez has adapted the score for a smaller group while still striving to maintain the original character (and) provided perspectives on Spanish diction for the cast"
-Daily Camera
Boulder, CO
Highly regarded as a conductor and clinician with an international appeal, Rafael’s professional work has taken him throughout the Americas to Peru, Colombia, the Amazon region of Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Honduras, and to Costa Rica where he lived and worked for many years before returning to the United States. Following a successful appearance at the Black Sea Conducting Festival in 2012, Rafael was invited to conduct the Romanian National Opera Orchestra in Constanza in September 2013 with additional performances in Romania and in Bulgaria the following year. He was selected as a Conducting Fellow with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica in 2015 and subsequently served as Assistant Conductor with the Boulder Philharmonic for two years during his doctoral residency at the University of Colorado from 2015 – 2017.
In Costa Rica, Rafael served as Artistic Director for the 130-member national youth orchestra Manuel María Gutiérrez representing the Sistema Nacional de Educación Musical from 2010 – 2012 culminating in an international tour to Mexico including performances at such prestigious venues as the Sala Nezahualcóyotl in Mexico City. His conducting work extends to the wind band appearing frequently as a guest conductor with the National Bands of Costa Rica since 2007, in concert with the Air Force Band of Peru, and delivering a master class on military and musical leadership for the Navy Band of Peru in the port of Callao coordinated by the Peruvian Association of Symphonic Band and Ensemble Directors.