Adjunct — Instructor of Music, Double Bass
Jose Saavedra is currently section bass of the Amarillo Symphony, Texas, and Executive Director at the Bradteich Foundation based in Denton, Texas. Mr. Saavedra graduated with a Masters in Music at the University of North Texas, under the instruction of Prof. Jeff Bradetich, and is currently a doctorate student at this same institution. As an orchestra musician, soloist, and chamber musician, Mr. Saavedra has performed in: Brazil, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico and USA.
A native from San Jose, Costa Rica where he started his musical career, he has performed among the most active ensembles in the country, such as Orquestra Sinfónica de Heredia and Costa Rica's National Symphony. In the United States, he has performed with Richardson Symphony Orchestra, McKinney Philharmonic, Music School Festival Orchestra at Chautauqua Institution, and University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Saavedra has also participated in numerous masterclasses with world recognized double bassists, including: Owen Lee, Curtis Burris, Theirry Barbé, Catalin Rotaru, Michael Wolf, DaXun Zhang, Thibault Delor, Milton Masciadri, Brian Perry, Eric Hansen, Michel Veillon, Rumano Solano, Jack Unzicker, and more.
As a teacher, Mr. Saavedra has expanded the horizons of his private students in the USA and Latin America by using a goal focused approach to double bass learning. His recent students' achievements include the All Region and All State Orchestras, Interlochen Arts Academy, and Universidad de Costa Rica.
As Director of the Bass & Cello Conservatory and the Virtual Bass Conservatory, Mr. Saavedra has led an innovative teaching system developed by Dr. Gudrun Raschen, founder of the Conservatory. Jose is also Co-owner and Media Editing Manager at Off the Grid Music Studio, a recording company based in Denton, Texas, dedicated to increasing the recording awareness among classical musicians.
In his free time, Mr. Saavedra enjoys hiking, yoga, and photography.