On Passion and Paying it Forward: A Conversation with Samuel Vargas

To wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month, we are excited to share our conversation with Samuel Vargas, a highly accomplished Venezuelan violinist, entrepreneur, and educator.
Chapters:
Intro: 0:00
About Samuel: 0:28
Balancing Teaching, Performing, and Learning: 2:09
Inspiration: 4:36
Growing up in Venezuela: 8:08
Advice for other Hispanic Artists: 14:48
New Projects: 21:09
How to Get Involved: 23:42
Outro: 24:37
Violinist Samuel Vargas Teixeira leads a diverse career as a performer, educator, and entrepreneur. He is the winner of the 2021 Sphinx Competition, a 2019 Yamaha Young Performing Artist, and the grand prize winner of the 2019 Georgia Philharmonic Competition, among other accolades.
Samuel began his musical career as a student in Venezuela’s El Sistema program under the tutelage of Luis Miguel Gonzalez, and currently studies with Professor Sergiu Schartz at the Schwob School of Music at CSU as a recipient of the Woodruff Award.
He is the founder and president of the Samuel Vargas International Music Foundation, an organization committed to enriching communities and society through the power of classical music, emphasizing a holistic approach to music education supporting students in all areas of studies and well-being. Through his passionate work and entrepreneurship, he has founded 8 active Venezuelan chamber orchestras and currently mentors young musicians in the US and South America.
Spanish:
Para concluir el Hispanic Heritage Month, nos complace compartir nuestra conversación con Samuel Vargas, violinista, empresario y educador venezolano de gran talento.
Acerca de Samuel:
El violinista Samuel Vargas Teixeira ha construido una trayectoria multifacética como intérprete, educador y emprendedor. Debido a su gran maestría artística, ha sido ganador de diversos premios, entre ellos el Primer Premio de la Competencia Sphinx (2021), el Yamaha Young Performing Artist (2019) y el Primer Premio en el Georgia Philharmonic Competition (2019).
Vargas comenzó su carrera musical siendo estudiante del programa El Sistema de Venezuela bajo la tutela de Luis Miguel González. En 2017, ganó el prestigioso premio Woodruff que le permitió estudiar con su mentor y profesor actual Sergiu Schwartz en la Escuela de Música Schwob en CSU.
Samuel es el fundador y presidente de la Fundación Internacional de Música Samuel Vargas, una organización comprometida con enriquecer a las comunidades y la sociedad mediante el poder de la música clásica. La fundación prioriza un enfoque integral de la educación musical, brindando apoyo a los estudiantes en todas las facetas de su formación y bienestar.
Debido a su dedicación y espíritu emprendedor, ha fundado 8 orquestas de cámara venezolanas hoy en día activas y se desempeña como mentor para jóvenes músicos en los Estados Unidos y Sudamérica.
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