Gerson Medina
VIOLA
ARTIST DETAILS
ARTIST INFORMATION
Meet the Musician
Where were you born?
Venezuela
Where did you study? Who did you study under?
Shenandoah University (Akemi Takayama) B.M.A., Lynn Conservatory (Guillermo Figueroa) M.M., Michigan State University (Mike Chen, Dmitri Berlinsky) D.M.A.
When did you first discover your instrument? How old were you?
Ten years of age, but I couldn’t start playing until two years later at ‘El Sistema.’ The reason is that I needed to learn some music theory first to get provided with an instrument.
Who is a musician/mentor who inspires you? What makes them special?
Mike Chen. His commitment to music, his students, and his family.
What is your favorite piece you’ve ever played? What did it feel like to play?
Mahler Symphony No. 1. It felt triumphal under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle and next to 300 musicians no older than 15 years of age.
What do you love most about Kalamazoo? What are your hobbies/interests outside of the music world?
The KSO’s viola section is probably one of the best in the State. My hobbies include car mechanics, board games with my family (Sister, Nephew, and Girlfriend), and Video Games occasionally with long-distance friends.
Your playlist recap is here…who is your most listened-to artist? (of any genre)
Boleros (Julio Jaramillo, Angel Canales, Cheo Feliciano, Los tres Panchos)
