“Juan Ramirez, 73, has performed in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra violin section since he arrived in Atlanta from Boston in the mid-’70s,” writes Jon Ross in Wednesday’s (12/5) Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “During that time, the Mexican immigrant has become a highly visible leader in the community who has helped educate young musicians and shape community orchestras for three decades. Ramirez is the founding artistic director and conductor for the Buckhead Youth Orchestra, and the music director and conductor of the Atlanta Community Symphony, a position he’s held for 19 seasons…. As a key organizer of ASO community outreach programs, Ramirez brings tailored musical programs to events around the city…. For his tireless dedication to community outreach, Ramirez has won two awards … Last summer, the League of American Orchestras presented him with the Ford Musicians Award, which recognizes five musicians around the country each year for their outreach work. That work is essential to the viability of orchestras, said John-Morgan Bush, director of learning and leadership programs for the League … In October, during a concert at the Atlanta History Center’s Day of the Dead celebration, Javier Diaz de Leon, consul general of Mexico in Atlanta, gave Ramirez the Ohtli Award in recognition of his decades of work in Atlanta’s Latin communities.”
Posted December 7, 2018
In photo: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra violinist Juan Ramirez plays Spanish guitar during a performance at the Day of the Dead celebration at the Atlanta History Center in October. Photo: Steve Schaefer.
