One of the most important things as a teacher is that our program is free for the kids. That’s something I really believe in. If I didn’t have access to free lessons as a child, I would never have been able to pursue music.
Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Ramón began his musical journey through his local El Sistema program. Though he initially hoped to play the violin, he was assigned the viola—and quickly fell in love with it. His passion and dedication led him to the Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra, where he performed with world-renowned conductors like Gustavo Dudamel.
Ramón’s hard work brought him to the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music performance. His accomplishments include touring with the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, premiering James Ra’s Concerto for Three Violas, and 2023-2025 appointment with Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, a prestigious fellowship combining performance, teaching, and advocacy.
When Ramón isn’t performing with world-class ensembles around the city, he’s at UpBeat several days a week, teaching and inspiring the next generation of musicians.
For the past eight years, Ramón has been a vital part of the UpBeat family. He credits his own success to the free, high-quality music education he received as a child—and he carries that on as a steady, inspiring mentor to dozens of UpBeat students who look up to him as a musician and as someone who shows them what’s possible.