Luis D.

Luis, originally from Albuquerque, is a student, teacher, violist, and musician. He began music studies at age 12 and has since gained fascination in all things music, especially teaching and performing. Luis is a 4th year undergraduate studying Music Education and String Pedagogy at The University of New Mexico. He studies with Dr. Cármelo de los Santos and Professor Kimberly Fredenburgh. While studying at UNM, Luis has studied the pedagogies of many upper string pedagogues including Galamian and Suzuki among others. He has gained most of his violin/viola teacher training from the renowned pedagogue Susan Kempter. As a Suzuki violin teacher, Luis works diligently to explore the details that go into playing violin with the body in mind in order to prevent and avoid sustained injury often seen in string players. As a performer, Luis enjoys working with musicians from around the country in solo, chamber, and orchestral works. In 2019, he attended the Montecito International Music Festival in Southern California, where he found a new appreciation for contemporary music. In May and June 2020, Luis participated in the inaugural Emerald Coast Chamber Music Festival, this endeavor was originally scheduled to be held in Niceville, Florida and was later held in a Virtual form. In 2020, Luis was named Rising Star in the Strings Division of the 2020 Jackie McGehee Young Artists' CompetitionJMYAC, In 2021, he won third prize in the Strings Division of the JMYAC. Luis performs on a viola made in 2017 by Klarissa Petti. This instrument has been regarded as having a huge variety of colors, having a gorgeous tone, and being very responsive. Outside of music, his hobbies include espresso making and biking!