The Dominican Republic is generally not at the top of the list when thinking of Latin American nations known for their music. It is however, home to innumerable talented people who have experienced international acclaim for their talents. Some have left their native country and traveled to the US or Spain in search of fame, others have chosen to stay on the little Caribbean island and foster their craft. Here we take a look at two more musicians who call the Dominican Republic their home.
Juan Francisco Ordonez was born in 1961 in Santo Domingo. He earned himself a degree in economics from a university in Santo Domingo, but had always studied guitar on the side. Juan learned formal music composition at the Dominican National Conservatory, and later became part of the folk group Convite. Later on he found a more comfortable place as lead guitar for Transporte Urbano and stayed with that group for more than 25 years. During those years the band toured the world, even performing in the former USSR.
Outside of his band life, Juan worked on fusion projects with other musicians and eventually put together a Caribbean trio called Trilogia. Juan has a unique sound all his own that has tones of blues, rock, jazz; all of which come together to create the now popular guitar language bachata. For that reason along he is considered the father of bachata.
Aisha Syed Castro was born in 1989 in Santiago, Dominican Republic. At the age of four Aisha began studying violin and flute with the internationally acclaimed professor Henry Disla. At the age of six Aisha was a member of the Children's Symphony Orchestra. At eleven years old she made a solo performance with the National Symphony Orchestra and attended a violin symposium at the Julliard School in New York.
Aisha was the first Latin American person to be admitted to the Yehudi Menuhim School in London, also winning herself a scholarship for her impressive grades. Even at the young age of 22, Aisha has performed around the world, in front of international heads of state and well respected musicians. Clearly this young woman has a bright future in music, and all from meager roots in the Dominican Republic.
These two people are excellent representatives of the talent existing in the Dominican Republic, both in folk and classical genres of music. One has embraced the nuances of Caribbean rhythms, the other has found a love in the soothing melodies of the classics. Would it not be interesting to have both on one stage creating a whole new sound?
Juan Francisco Ordonez was born in 1961 in Santo Domingo. He earned himself a degree in economics from a university in Santo Domingo, but had always studied guitar on the side. Juan learned formal music composition at the Dominican National Conservatory, and later became part of the folk group Convite. Later on he found a more comfortable place as lead guitar for Transporte Urbano and stayed with that group for more than 25 years. During those years the band toured the world, even performing in the former USSR.
Outside of his band life, Juan worked on fusion projects with other musicians and eventually put together a Caribbean trio called Trilogia. Juan has a unique sound all his own that has tones of blues, rock, jazz; all of which come together to create the now popular guitar language bachata. For that reason along he is considered the father of bachata.
Aisha Syed Castro was born in 1989 in Santiago, Dominican Republic. At the age of four Aisha began studying violin and flute with the internationally acclaimed professor Henry Disla. At the age of six Aisha was a member of the Children's Symphony Orchestra. At eleven years old she made a solo performance with the National Symphony Orchestra and attended a violin symposium at the Julliard School in New York.
Aisha was the first Latin American person to be admitted to the Yehudi Menuhim School in London, also winning herself a scholarship for her impressive grades. Even at the young age of 22, Aisha has performed around the world, in front of international heads of state and well respected musicians. Clearly this young woman has a bright future in music, and all from meager roots in the Dominican Republic.
These two people are excellent representatives of the talent existing in the Dominican Republic, both in folk and classical genres of music. One has embraced the nuances of Caribbean rhythms, the other has found a love in the soothing melodies of the classics. Would it not be interesting to have both on one stage creating a whole new sound?
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