Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal is the 2020 Second Prize Winner of the XI Fidelio Competition for Piano Composition in Madrid, Spain. A Spanish composer, pianist and organist established in the Washington DC area. His love for music started in Melilla (Spain), listening to his older sister Celia practicing at their old Aeriol piano, which their father rescued from a piano-bar in Morocco.
Despite its worn out condition, this was Gabriel’s favorite childhood instrument, and the catalyst of his musical journey. Since then, Gabriel has performed recitals in many countries as piano soloist, chamber music, concerti with orchestras, including premieres of his own compositions. He also serves as a jury member in competitions.
He has received numerous awards during his performance career and today he is proud to enjoy a diversified musical portfolio, not just limited to the classical repertory. Gabriel is known as a composer, instructor, classical and jazz pianist. He is a recording artist covering a range of musical styles from Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin, to Spanish composers and his own works. He has participated in film scoring collaborations, and one of the films he scored received a New York Emmy nomination. His scores have been performed on both sides of the Atlantic.
Gabriel is very grateful to the extraordinary teachers that he has worked with. His childhood teacher, Carmen Arana, then Alfredo Gil and Bernat Ríos at the Conservatorio Superior de Música in Málaga, Spain, Eva Pierrou at Levine School of Music in Washington, Elizabeth Caluda and Bob Larson at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA and Jacinto Choza, his doctoral advisor at the University of Sevilla, Spain, have all had a profound influence on Gabriel’s music. Gabriel pursued additional studies at Yale University and NYU Steinhardt. Currently he is Senior Faculty at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC where he teaches classical and jazz piano, applied composition, and serves at the evaluation jury panels.
During free time, Gabriel and his wife Lisa enjoy traveling, hiking, and kayaking. They travel frequently to Spain to visit family and friends.
Despite its worn out condition, this was Gabriel’s favorite childhood instrument, and the catalyst of his musical journey. Since then, Gabriel has performed recitals in many countries as piano soloist, chamber music, concerti with orchestras, including premieres of his own compositions. He also serves as a jury member in competitions.
He has received numerous awards during his performance career and today he is proud to enjoy a diversified musical portfolio, not just limited to the classical repertory. Gabriel is known as a composer, instructor, classical and jazz pianist. He is a recording artist covering a range of musical styles from Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin, to Spanish composers and his own works. He has participated in film scoring collaborations, and one of the films he scored received a New York Emmy nomination. His scores have been performed on both sides of the Atlantic.
Gabriel is very grateful to the extraordinary teachers that he has worked with. His childhood teacher, Carmen Arana, then Alfredo Gil and Bernat Ríos at the Conservatorio Superior de Música in Málaga, Spain, Eva Pierrou at Levine School of Music in Washington, Elizabeth Caluda and Bob Larson at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA and Jacinto Choza, his doctoral advisor at the University of Sevilla, Spain, have all had a profound influence on Gabriel’s music. Gabriel pursued additional studies at Yale University and NYU Steinhardt. Currently he is Senior Faculty at the Levine School of Music in Washington, DC where he teaches classical and jazz piano, applied composition, and serves at the evaluation jury panels.
During free time, Gabriel and his wife Lisa enjoy traveling, hiking, and kayaking. They travel frequently to Spain to visit family and friends.
Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal, ganador del Segundo Premio del Concurso Internacional de Composición para Piano "Fidelio" de Madrid, es un compositor, pianista y organista español establecido en Washington, D.C. (EEUU). Su afición por la música comenzó en Melilla (España) y continuó en Málaga, escuchando a su hermana mayor Celia también pianista, y estudiando en un viejo piano "Aeriol" que su padre rescató de un piano-bar de Marruecos.
Lo que comenzó en Melilla continuó en el Conservatorio Superior de Música de Málaga con el profesor Alfredo Gil. Desde entonces ha desarrollado una trayectoria que le sitúa en el presente. Conciertos como solista, música de cámara y conciertos con orquestas, a veces estrenando sus propias composiciones. También ha formado parte de tribunales de concursos de interpretación musical.
Gabriel ha recibido numerosos premios durante su carrera y en el presente reside en College Park, el área metropolitana de Washington DC (EEUU) con su esposa Lisa. Disfruta ejerciendo actividades musicales diversificadas, y no limitadas al mundo de la música clásica. Se le conoce como compositor, profesor, pianista de repertorio clásico y jazz, y organista de plantilla en una del las dos catedrales en Washington DC. Sus grabaciones, las cuales abarcan repertorio de J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin incluyen también compositores españoles Albéniz, Falla y Granados. Es también intérprete de sus propias composiciones. Gabriel participa en colaboraciones como compositor, y orquestador para música de escena y pantalla. Uno de sus proyectos recibió una nominación para un Emmy en Nueva York.
Gabriel está muy agradecido a los maestros que han pasado por su vida. Desde la profesora de piano de su niñez, Carmen Arana, a sus principales profesores en el conservatorio superior, Alfredo Gil (piano) y Bernat Ríos (trompa), Eva Pierrou fue su profesora en Levine School of Music de Washington DC. Elizabeth Caluda (piano clásico) y Bob Larson (piano jazz) en Shenandoah University de Winchester, Virginia (EEUU). Jacinto Choza fue su director de tesis doctoral en la universidad de Sevilla, También ha atendido Yale University y NYU Steinhardt para estudios complementarios. En el presente, es profesor con grado de "Senior Faculty" en la "Levine School of Music" de Washington, D.C.
En su tiempo libre, Gabriel y su esposa Lisa suelen viajar, caminar en senderos y navegar en kayaks. Viajan a España con frecuencia para visitar a la familia y amigos.
Lo que comenzó en Melilla continuó en el Conservatorio Superior de Música de Málaga con el profesor Alfredo Gil. Desde entonces ha desarrollado una trayectoria que le sitúa en el presente. Conciertos como solista, música de cámara y conciertos con orquestas, a veces estrenando sus propias composiciones. También ha formado parte de tribunales de concursos de interpretación musical.
Gabriel ha recibido numerosos premios durante su carrera y en el presente reside en College Park, el área metropolitana de Washington DC (EEUU) con su esposa Lisa. Disfruta ejerciendo actividades musicales diversificadas, y no limitadas al mundo de la música clásica. Se le conoce como compositor, profesor, pianista de repertorio clásico y jazz, y organista de plantilla en una del las dos catedrales en Washington DC. Sus grabaciones, las cuales abarcan repertorio de J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin incluyen también compositores españoles Albéniz, Falla y Granados. Es también intérprete de sus propias composiciones. Gabriel participa en colaboraciones como compositor, y orquestador para música de escena y pantalla. Uno de sus proyectos recibió una nominación para un Emmy en Nueva York.
Gabriel está muy agradecido a los maestros que han pasado por su vida. Desde la profesora de piano de su niñez, Carmen Arana, a sus principales profesores en el conservatorio superior, Alfredo Gil (piano) y Bernat Ríos (trompa), Eva Pierrou fue su profesora en Levine School of Music de Washington DC. Elizabeth Caluda (piano clásico) y Bob Larson (piano jazz) en Shenandoah University de Winchester, Virginia (EEUU). Jacinto Choza fue su director de tesis doctoral en la universidad de Sevilla, También ha atendido Yale University y NYU Steinhardt para estudios complementarios. En el presente, es profesor con grado de "Senior Faculty" en la "Levine School of Music" de Washington, D.C.
En su tiempo libre, Gabriel y su esposa Lisa suelen viajar, caminar en senderos y navegar en kayaks. Viajan a España con frecuencia para visitar a la familia y amigos.
- Education
- Doctor of Philosophy. Universidad Hispalense de Sevilla, Spain
- Masters in Piano Performance, Classical piano and Jazz. Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia
- Bachelors Degree and Title of Professor. Piano, French Horn, Music Theory. Conservatorio Superior de Málaga, Spain
- Continuing studies in Music. Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
- Workshops and studies on film scoring (ASCAP). New York University Steinhardt, New York City
- Composition studies. Frances McKay DMA. Levine School of Music, Washington, D.C.
- Continuing studies in Music Technology. Chris Brown. Levine School of Music, Washington, D.C.
- Teaching Positions
- Senior Faculty. Piano Department and Jazz-piano Department. Levine School of Music. Washington, D.C.
- Visiting Faculty. Department of Music. University of Seville, Spain
- Adjunct Faculty (former). Piano Department. Shenandoah University. Winchester, VA
- Composer / Orchestrator
- Compositions by commission for the concert stage. Works for orchestra, choirs, soloists, instrumental ensembles and soloists
- Compositions for film and documentaries. Working with film directors and producers individually or as part of team of composers
- Orchestrator and collaborator with composers. Projects include composing sections, developing themes, orchestrating, preparing orchestra parts, arranging, rehearsing with musicians, preparing and directing recording sessions. Conducting recording sessions, editing, mixing and final delivery.
- When away from music...