Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal is a Spanish pianist, organist, harpsichordist and composer established in the Washington DC area. His love for music started in Melilla (Spain), listening to his sister Celia practicing at their old Aeriol piano, which their father rescued from a piano-bar in Morocco.

Despite its worn out keys, this was Gabriel’s favorite childhood instrument, and the catalyst that began his musical journey. Gabriel has performed recitals in many countries as piano soloist and with fellow musicians, 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 concert performer. 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 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 had the opportunity to work with. His childhood teacher, Carmen Arana, Alfredo Gil and Bernat Ríos at the Conservatorio Superior de Música in Málaga, Spain, 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.

In his free time, Gabriel enjoys being on the water, sailing and paddling his kayaks. He also enjoys biking, traveling and spending time outdoors. He travels often to Spain, and also  has visited Central and South America, Turkey, Morocco, Japan and most countries in Europe. His most recent trips took him to Iceland, Mexico, Ireland, Spain, and he has just returned from a visit to Greece.

Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal Es un pianista, organista, clavecinista y compositor español establecido en Washington, D.C. (EEUU). Su atracción por la música comenzó en Melilla (Spain) escuchando a su hermana Celia estudiando en el viejo Aeriol piano que su padre rescató cuando lo encontró abandonado en un piano-bar de Marruecos.

Teclas gastadas, pero ese viejo piano era el instrumento favorito de su infancia, y desde entonces ha desarrollado una trayectoria que le sitúa en el presente. Conciertos en muchos países como solista y con compañeros, conciertos con orquestas, a veces estrenando sus propias composiciones, y a veces formando parte de tribunales de concursos de interpretación musical.

Gabriel ha recibido numerosos premios durante su carrera y en el presente disfruta ejerciendo actividades musicales diversificadas, y no limitadas al mundo de la música clásica. Se le conoce como compositor, profesor, concertista de repertorio clásico y jazz, y por sus grabaciones, las cuales abarcan repertorio de J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin incluyendo también compositores españoles, y sus propias obras. Gabriel ha participado en colaboraciones componiendo, y orquestando música de cine y documental, y uno de sus proyectos ha recibido una nominación para un Emmy en Nueva York. Sus composiciones han sido presentadas en concierto en ambos lados del Atlántico.

Gabriel está muy agradecido a los maestros que han pasado por su vida. Desde la profesora de piano de su niñez, Carmen Arana, a Alfredo Gil y Bernat Ríos en el Conservatorio Superior de Música de Málaga (Spain), Elizabeth Caluda y Bob Larson en Shenandoah University en 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 en la :Levine School of Music: de Washington, D.C.

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Gabriel disfruta pasando su tiempo libre en el mar con sus kayaks.  También disfruta senderismo en bicicleta, viajes y actividades al aire libre.  Viaja a España con frecuencia, y sus últimos viajes le han llevado a Islandia, México, Irlanda y el más reciente, Grecia.

• 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
• Former Faculty. Piano Department. Shenandoah University.  Winchester, VA

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• Composer / Orchestrator

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• 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.