Roberto’s humble beginnings growing up in a musical family in Puerto Rico inevitably shaped him to become the driven and high-spirited performer that he is today. Praised by his colleagues for his ability to identify a melody, Roberto’s fierce passion and knowledge for orchestral repertoire runs deep. Those who know him best can attest that he is most himself when he has his horn in his hands and is making music with others.

 

An active orchestral musician, Roberto has held horn positions with the Puerto Rico Symphony and the Puerto Rico Philharmonic. He has played alongside the Bayamón Symphony Orchestra, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra, the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Gatineau Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestra of Northern New York. He was also an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, one of the United States’ premier training programs for emerging professional musicians.

 

In the summer of 2022, Roberto will hone his orchestral skills under the guidance of the musicians of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in their inaugural Mentorship Program. This unique side-by-side program will connect him with 50+ musicians from around the world and provide him with performance opportunities and constructive strategies that will aid him in the development of his orchestral career.

 

As a chamber musician, Roberto has regularly performed with the Doors Open for Music series at Ottawa’s Southminster United Church and can frequently be heard around the city with his horn group, the Maple Leaf Quartet. Recent appearances include a recital at the Music and Beyond Festival and a live steamed recital with the Music Performance Trust Fund.

 

A former student of Chicago horns Dale Clevenger, David Griffin, and Johnathan Boen, Roberto received his Master of Music degree and Orchestral Studies diploma from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. He was the recipient of the Alice R. Clevenger Scholarship. 

 

When not practicing or performing, Roberto can be found spending quality time with his wife, Lindsay (a flutist) and their dog, Murphy.