Watching Leonard Bernstein conduct the Vienna Philharmonic on TV in 1983,
Listening to the Chopin Etudes and Mozart Piano Concerti,
Dr. Alfred Kanwischer;
Favorite composers:
Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Brahms;
My schools:
San Francisco Conservatory of Music, MM 1992,
San Jose State University, BM 1989
Joseph Ordaz began studying the piano at age 8 with Faith Peterman while growing up in Gilroy, CA. He received his Bachelor of Music Degree from San Jose State University and his Master of Music Degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His primary teachers were John Delavoryas and Alfred Kanwishcer at SJSU, Milton and Peggy Salkind at SFCM, and Miyoko Lotto in New York. He has also studied harpsichord with Laurette Goldberg while at SFCM. He has performed as soloist with the Mission Chamber Ochestra, Ft. Worth Chamber Orchestra, South Valley Symphony, San Jose State University Symphony, New England Symphonic Ensemble, and at the TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute and University of Maryland International Piano Festival. He has performed in masterclasses with such noted pianists as Gary Graffman, Richard Goode, Leonard Hokansen, Jose Fegahli, Tamas Ungar. Since 1991, Mr. Ordaz has also performed as a member of the Monterey Symphony and has performed in numerous recitals throughout the Bay Area. Along with his piano studies, he has also studied conducting at the Conductor's Institute at the University of Hartford and at the Pacific Music Festival. Has received awards from the San Jose Music Study Club and TCU/Cliburn Piano Institute.
Currently, Mr. Ordaz serves as Coordinator of the Olympiad of the Arts Piano Competition in Saratoga, CA and is on the Board of Directors of the Steinway Society - The Bay Area. Mr. Ordaz has previously taught at Gavilan and Foothill Colleges and currently is the Chair of the Music Department at Mission College in Santa Clara, CA where he has been on the faculty since 1997.
Hey Josesph! Thanks for finding us! How are things? Hopefully you can eventually come to one of my gigs with Phil! Alright, well I hope all is well. Bye!
