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SERGIO HERNANDEZ
Pianista

Born into a family of outstanding musicians in Jalisco, Mexico, Sergio began his musical studies at the age of 19, studying piano, organ, harmony and composition at the School of Sacred Music of Guadalajara, under director Pbtro. Manuel de Jesús Aréchiga, and noted composers Domingo Lobato, Hermilio and Hernandez.

After only three years he graduated with honors with a degree in Canto Gregoriano.

Upon graduation he entered the National Conservatory in Mexico City, studying piano under the tutelage of Aurora Serratos. During his years of study in Mexico City he was also accompanist for the Music School´s Male Chorus, as well as performing in numerous recitals and chamber music concerts.

In 1985 Sergio was invited to continue to perfect his piano studies under noted Maestro Nichols Reveles in San Diego, California.
For five consecutive years after this, he continued studying piano with renowned pianist Richard Tetley-Kardos, professor emeritus of the University of Ohio.

In 1989 Sergio received first place in piano in the National Competition Nuevos Valores (Breakthrough Performers), organized by the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Society of Mexican Composers, directed by world-renowned composer Armando Manzanero.

In the summer of 1989 Sergio moved to Europe to specialize in lied and operatic accompaniment, as well as opera coaching, under Rudolf Bautz and René Granz in Aachen, Germany. During this time he performed concert tours in Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

In the fall of 1993, together with Dr. Harlan Charles Snow, he co-founded the 40-voice Schola Cantorum as Assistant Director and accompanist. For five years this distinguished musical institution promoted young Mexican talent and made possible scholarships with principal universities and conservatories in the United States, on all bachelor, masters, and doctoral levels. All in all, 17 young Mexican musicians were awarded complete academic scholarships at different musical institutions in the U.S.

He has performed several times as harpsichordist with the world class flautist Horacio Franco and has also accompanied the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México´s Ballet Company as piano soloist.
He has also been the titular accompanist of the State Choir of Jalisco, the Guadalajara Autónoma University Symphony, and the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra.

In November of 2004 he was invited by AMEX to perform nine concerts in Switzerland with great success. He has 16 different recordings, including one with Radio Argentina.
He has participated as backstage director in seven different operas during seasons in Guadalajara: Rigoletto, Madame Butterfly, Turandot, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Masked Ball, Manuel de Falla´s La Vida Breve.

In 2005, for the Zapopan Opera Season, he was invited as opera coach for the performances of Purcell´s Dido and Aeneas and Puccini´s Gianni Schichi.

From October to December in 2005 he was invited to be guest director by the State Choir of Jalisco, directing a rigorous concert schedule containing several premieres never before sung in Jalisco.

In 2006 he took on the role of coach and directed video projection for Manuel de Falla´s La Vida Breve, in collaboration with the artistic directors of the Colón Theatre of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

During Guadalajara´s October Cultural Festival in 2006 he adapted, translated, produced and directed the Mexican premiere of W. A. Mozart´s opera El Empresario, serving as piano accompanist as well.

During the culminating event of Guadalajara´s May Cultural Festival in 2007, Sergio was invited as technical director for the world premiere in Spanish of Robert X. Rodriguez´s opera Frida.

Sergio is currently the titular director of the State Choir of Jalisco, Dept. of the Secretary of Culture of the State of Jalisco.