Today we’d like to introduce you to Omar Herrera Arizmendi
Hi Omar, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Omar Herrera Arizmendi has established himself as one of the most committed and multifaceted artists championing the music by the great composers from Latin America. His knowledge of the repertoire coupled with his understanding of cultural issues have enabled him to understand and diagnose the root at the lack of representation of the Latin American repertoire in the concert halls.
As founder of PONCE PROJECT MUSIC FOUNDATION, and in collaboration with public and private partners, he has developed unique projects that have major consequential and transformative impacts in society, especially among the young.
Critics have described him as “an artist dedicated to bringing a wealth of unheard music to light”, and his performances as “truly fine piano playing”. PONCE PROJECT MUSIC FOUNDATION, under his leadership and in partnership with numerous institutional partners, has initiated the resuscitation of the works by some of the most important Mexican composers of the past. This includes the publication of more than 200 music scores, audio and video recordings, an international competition, and concert series in Mexico and the USA.
A native of Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, Omar Herrera Arizmendi earned his undergraduate degree at UT Austin, his master’s degree at Rice University and his doctorate degree at University of Houston. He is a proud direct descendant of one of Mexico’s most important composers Manuel M. Ponce.
PONCE PROJECT MUSIC FOUNDATION is a non-profit organization founded by Mexican pianist Omar Herrera Arizmendi. Promoting the Latin American repertoire had always been in his mind and in the early 2000s he started performing intimate piano recitals at private homes. After securing enough private donors to support an opening season the organization was born in the summer of 2019.
The opening 2019-2020 season included five concerts taking place, of all places, at the Czech Center Museum in Houston, Texas. The pandemic forced canceling the last two events and in early 2021 a Virtual Season reached thousands of viewers.
The organization has matured in just a few years and its focus has changed from only having a performance season to devoting many resources to the research and production of music scores and recordings.
After securing major grants from different organizations, the 2024 season will present some of its most ambitious and far-reaching projects. One is PONCE 243: complete works for piano. It consists of 16 solo recitals plus 1 with orchestra, featuring 22 pianists from different nationalities in coordination with 13 institutions. It will be presented in the most important halls in Mexico City in August 2024, and in Houston in September 2024. One key aspect of PONCE 243 is the publication of all 243 works by Ponce.
The other equally important event is the SECOND INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION featuring works by Ponce. It is the only of its kind in the world and its main goal is the promotion of the repertoire among the young.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. The most difficult thing has been to start everything from zero and realizing that we are competing with well established institutions in the city that have plenty of advantages, specifically regarding funding.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Omar Herrera Arizmendi has established himself as one of the most committed and multifaceted artists championing the music by the great composers from Latin America. His knowledge of the repertoire coupled with his understanding of cultural issues have enabled him to understand and diagnose the root at the lack of representation of the Latin American repertoire in the concert halls.
As founder of PONCE PROJECT MUSIC FOUNDATION, and in collaboration with public and private partners, he has developed unique projects that have major consequential and transformative impacts in society, especially among the young.
Critics have described him as “an artist dedicated to bringing a wealth of unheard music to light”, and his performances as “truly fine piano playing”. PONCE PROJECT MUSIC FOUNDATION, under his leadership and in partnership with numerous institutional partners, has initiated the resuscitation of the works by some of the most important Mexican composers of the past. This includes the publication of more than 200 music scores, audio and video recordings, an international competition, and concert series in Mexico and the USA.
A native of Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, Omar Herrera Arizmendi earned his undergraduate degree at UT Austin, his master’s degree at Rice University and his doctorate degree at University of Houston. He is a proud direct descendant of one of Mexico’s most important composers Manuel M. Ponce.
What matters most to you? Why?
Changing the stereotype of the latino in the United States. Show that we come from a very rich culture that goes well beyond mariachi, tacos and cumbia.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ThePonceProject.org
- Instagram: @ponceproject
- Facebook: @ponceproject
- Twitter: @proyectoponce
- Youtube: @ponceproject
Image Credits
Tragaluz
