Ricardo Castellano

Musician/Pianist

Phone:

(915) 242-3006

Email:

rocastellano251@gmail.com

Social Media

Instagram: @CardoKeys

Twitter: @CardoKeys

Date of Birth:

July 3, 2003

My Perspective

I have been playing my main instrument, piano, for upwards of 9 years, and began studying Jazz throughout my middle school and high school years. Since the 6th grade, I have had experience with a large variety of percussion instruments and feel comfortable preforming on them.

Education

Montwood High School: 2017-2021

El Paso Community College:

2019-2021

I began high school in the PLTW engineering program SYNERGI4 Academy. I have maintained a firm position within the top 10% with a GPA of 3.9. Each year I pushed myself to not only strive for learning more, but to grow with my peers and develop a deeper understanding of the world.

Throughout high school, I had been enrolled in dual-credit courses in which I would gain additional college credits. A few courses include British Literature, Calculus, U.S. History, Government, and Communication. I have successfully completed each dual-credit course with above average grades.

Experience

All-Region

2015-2021

Hanks Jazz Fest

2018-2021

SISD Jazz Band

2020

Marching Band & Jazz Essemble

2017-2021

Synergi4 Academy

2017-2021

My All-Region career consists of 2 years of concert band my 7th and 8th grade year. Then, the last 3 years, I was accepted to participate as 1st chair in the All-Region Jazz Ensemble on Piano. I then continued to compete for an All-State position those same years.

My 11th grade year, I participated with the Montwood High School Jazz Band at the Hanks Jazz Fest, an annual city competition. I was awarded the Outstanding Rhythm Player/Soloist award for my rendition of Body and Soul.

This year, I was accepted into the Socorro Independent School District Jazz Band in which I was given multiple solo performing moments based off my merit.

Throughout all four of my high school years, I have been an outstanding member of both Montwood's Marching and Jazz ensembles.

I was a member of the Synergi4 STEM program for 4 years and was an active participant of their engineering pathway. Each year I was pushed to learn the various concepts in STEM and was taught how to organize my thoughts as an engineer.

Skills

Leader/Team Player

Outgoing

Problem-Solver

Hard-Worker

For the last few years, I have been involved in numerous small and large ensembles. Because most of these groups were self-organized, I have learned much about cooperating with others, and taking the lead when necessary.

I always believe that pushing one's self is a fantastic way to grow as a person. I have fought hard to tackle every challenge thrown at me. Despite the challenges, giving up was never an option.

My favorite thing is to find an issue and resolve it. Whether that be in my daily life or in the music I create. Especitally when I make music with my peers, it has become a passion of mine to find minute error and correct them, no matter how tedious.

Nothing ever comes easy, especially when your task at hand is a competitive concept. For myself, I work day in and day out on my musical and academic abilities to ensure that my grades are exceptional and that my playing is beautiful.