Cuarteto de cuerda Switchgrass

The Switchgrass String Quartet plays a variety of styles of music with an emphasis on intricate folk and popular rhythms and improvisation. Featuring styles from around the world, they create an individual and unique sound. They are adept at engaging with their audience; interlacing interesting stories about composers and genres as they perform. The Switchgrass String Quartet is a fresh look at the classical genre of the string quartet that audiences of all types and ages will enjoy. They are all seasoned music educators and consummate musicians who delight in working with others. 

Dr. Ramiro Miranda is a native of Asunción, Paraguay and came to the United States to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in violin performance at Pittsburg State University. Miranda holds a Master’s degree from Illinois State University in violin performance and orchestral conducting, and a Doctoral in Musical Arts in orchestral conducting from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. He is the recipient of many awards and honors, including first place in the Rosa Mistica violin competition in Brazil in the year 2000, the revelation award in the Cardozo Ocampo music competition in the year 2002, two Concerto Aria competitions, chamber music prizes, and a grant from Illinois State University’s Friends of the Arts for a full production of Igor Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale.

Antes de venir a los Estados Unidos, Miranda era un activo profesor e intérprete, tocando el primer violín para la Orquesta de la Universidad del Norte, y como instructor de cuerdas en la Escuela Musical Miranda y el Proyecto Sonidos de la Tierra. Sigue dando recitales y conferencias para profesores y estudiantes de cuerda en Paraguay y supervisa el intercambio de profesorado internacional con la Escuela Musical Miranda, una de las mejores de Paraguay.

He has appeared with orchestras, chamber groups, and as a violin soloist in the United States, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Ramiro has conducted several orchestras at the collegiate level, including the recent performances of Mark Adamo’s acclaimed opera “Little Women” and Mozart’s “Cosí fan Tutte” with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Opera program, and youth orchestras in Kansas, Paraguay and Argentina. He has participated in international festivals and conducting workshops in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Spain, with instructors of high acclaim such as Paul Vermel and Enrique Garcia Asensio. He recently attended the European American Musical Alliance-Nadia Boulanger Institute in Paris.

Rob Loren toured as a fiddler/violinist with country legend Ray Price and has worked with artists as diverse as Charlie Daniels, Johnny Mathis, Jerry Hahn, Phil Keaggy, Pavarotti, and other nationally known artists. After getting his Bachelor’s in Music Education degree (with Distinction) from the U of New Mexico, he taught for years with the Wichita public schools and has also taught fiddle and improvisation at Wichita State University. He works regularly throughout the Midwest playing chamber and symphonic music, as well as folk, country, jazz, and popular styles.

Tim Snider: With a career now spanning international borders, music has led Tim to tour throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Brazil, Central America, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.  He has written and recorded countless string arrangements for artists across the globe, including hip-hop Icon Talib Kweli, Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush, Kairo, Baby Fisher, Justine Sky, Hire, Satsang, and many more. He has shared the stage as a featured guest with legends such as Dispatch, the Colorado Symphony, OAR, John Butler, Michael Franti, G-love, Donovan Frankenreiter, Mike Love, and many others. During his five-year tenure with Nahko and Medicine for the People, he played on iconic stages to sold-out crowds in amphitheaters like Red Rocks and The Greek to stadiums like Suntrust Park and Rogers Centre. As well as some of the world’s biggest music festivals: Bonnaroo, Byron Bay Blues, Caliroots, and Glastonbury.

Dra. Susan Mayo forma parte del paisaje musical de Kansas desde hace más de 30 años. Ha impartido clases en la Universidad Estatal de Emporia y actualmente es profesora invitada en la Universidad Estatal de Wichita. Se licenció en la Universidad del Pacífico (BM: Interpretación de violonchelo) y realizó estudios de posgrado en el Conservatorio de Música Peabody, la Universidad Estatal de Wichita (BME en Educación Musical Especial) y la Universidad de Kansas (DMA en Interpretación de violonchelo). Ha actuado en todo el mundo con conjuntos clásicos y alternativos y actualmente es codirectora ejecutiva de Flint Hills Counterpoint, un proyecto artístico ecológico con sede en el condado de Marion (Kansas), directora musical del evento de otoño Woodfest de Symphony in the Flint Hills, presidenta de la junta del Historic Sunflower Theatre, profesora invitada en la Universidad Estatal de Wichita y miembro de la Wichita Symphony.

El Switchgrass String Quartet toca una variedad de estilos musicales con énfasis en intrincados ritmos folclóricos y populares y en la improvisación. Con estilos de todo el mundo y muchas composiciones originales, crean un sonido individual y único. Son expertos en conectar con el público, entrelazando interesantes historias sobre compositores y géneros mientras tocan. El Switchgrass String Quartet es una nueva visión del género clásico del cuarteto de cuerda que gustará a públicos de todo tipo y edad.

• Fee up to $8,500, depending on the project
• $400 para una única presentación educativa/comunitaria en el mismo día.

El cuarteto es adecuado para una amplia variedad de escenarios, como ciclos de conciertos, festivales, campus universitarios, centros de mayores y de jubilados, y escuelas públicas.

Todos los miembros del cuarteto son experimentados educadores musicales. Los posibles talleres y clases magistrales podrían abarcar temas como la pedagogía de la cuerda, el coaching de música de cámara, clases particulares, talleres de improvisación y presentaciones sobre diversos tipos de ritmos y estilos folclóricos.