Dr. Geronimo Oyenard
Violinist Bio
Dr. Geronimo Oyenard
Violinist Bio
Uruguayan violinist Geronimo Oyenard has studied with Ludmilla Cavallaro, Amos Lawrence, Lee-Chin Siow, Kevin Lawrence, Hal Grossman and Gregory Lee. After serving as concertmaster for the National Youth Orchestra and as the youngest member of the National Symphony Orchestra in his native country, Geronimo attended the College of Charleston on a full scholarship, where he obtained his Bachelor’s in Arts and an Artist’s Certificate in Performance. He then furthered his musical studies at the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA), where he received a Master’s Degree in Performance, and at the University of Oklahoma, where he completed his DMA in Performance.
After winning the 1999 Jeunesses Musicales Competition, Dr. Oyenard soloed with the SODRE National Symphony (Uruguay). He has also acted as concertmaster and soloist with the Lynchburg Symphony, the New River Valley Orchestra, and the College of Charleston and UNCSA orchestras. As orchestral musician, Dr. Oyenard has performed in a variety of roles with the Charleston Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the West Virginia Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, the Richmond Symphony, the Roanoke Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Opera on the James, and the Williamsburg Symphonia. He is currently Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Arkansas, and plays regularly with the Tulsa Symphony and Ballet and other regional orchestras.
As chamber musician, Dr. Oyenard as been a member of the Charleston Promusica early music ensemble, and the Stern Scholar and Blue Ridge string quartets. He has also participated in numerous summer chamber music workshops and orchestral festivals in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Austria, Spain, and France. Dr. Oyenard has performed frequently as recitalist for the Roanoke College, Hollins University, College of Charleston, and Dallas Baptist University faculty and chamber music series. He is currently a member of Die Kunst Ensemble.
Dr. Oyenard plays a copy of a 1768 Nicolaus Gagliano violin, made by luthier Robert Brode in 2014. The original instrument is currently owned by Julianne Lee, Assistant Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
To download my full C.V., click HERE.
For a selection of newspaper reviews, interviews, and articles, click HERE (in English) and HERE (in Spanish).
People ask me all the time, "Why do you play the violin?"
“When I perform, I play for four distinct audiences. My focus always changes, but somehow they are always present. I play for the composer, because I wish to faithfully interpret their music through my own lens; for myself, because I enjoy self-expressing through music and enjoy playing my instrument; for my teachers and mentors, because they invested in me and I am grateful for how they helped me grow as a musician; and, most importantly, for the audience, regardless of size, because I enjoy sharing what I have to say musically with them.
This is usually followed by: "what do you like the most about being a musician?
Recent Live Performances
A. Vivaldi-O. Respighi: Sonata in D Major, RV 10
I. Moderato (a fantasia) - II. Allegro moderato - III. Largo - IV. Vivace
Recorded live at the University of Oklahoma, April 2017. Sam Magrill, Piano.
J.S. Bach: Sonata no. 2 in a minor, BWV 1003
I. Adagio
Recorded live at the University of Oklahoma, April 2018.
W.A. Mozart: Concerto no. 5 in A, K. 219
I. Adagio - Allegro aperto
Lead-in by Robert D. Levin. Original cadenza by G. Oyenard.
E. Grieg: Sonata no. 3 in c minor, Op. 45 I. Allegro molto ed appassionato
Recorded live at the University of Oklahoma on April 14, 2017.
Sam Magrill, piano.
L. van Beethoven: Konzertsatz in C Major, WoO5 (Excerpts)
A. Glazunov: Violin Concerto in a minor, Op. 82
I. Moderato
Recorded live on campus at the University of Oklahoma (April, 2018).
Sam Magrill, piano.
S. Barber: Concerto, Op. 14
I. Allegro
Recorded at Heights Community Church (Roanoke, VA) in 2013.
A. Dvorak: Romance in F, Op. 11
Recorded live at Virginia Tech University, spring 2012.
New River Valley Symphony, conducted by James Glazebrook.
“The Vivaldi Concerto was, once again, a remarkable showcase for Concertmaster Geronimo Oyenard”
Diario El Pais (Uruguay), Jan. 30 1998
“The Vivaldi Double Concerto was the tightest work on the program, with great performances by its two soloists. Concertmaster Geronimo Oyenard was very precise in the difficult passagework (…) It is important to mention the continuing loyalty of these young musicians to their Youth Orchestra, despite the fact that many of them are already playing in our national Symphony and Philharmonic orchestras. Months ago, 16 year-old Oyenard performed this same work and yet the following morning ranked first in the SODRE Orchestra’s violin section substitute audition.”
Diario El Pais (Uruguay), September 12 1998
“College-bound Geronimo Oyenard’s farewell recital program was put together very thoughtfully. He opted to forego shallow virtuosism for musical hierarchy, with works by Mozart, Kreisler, Sarasate, Elgar, and Haydn.”
Diario El Pais (Uruguay), January 2000
“Handel’s music in the third set brought to the stage violinist Geronimo Oyenard. It’s hard to believe he is just a sophomore in college. He plays with great sensitivity and restraint, and the interplay of violin and voice was outstanding.”
"Newcomer shines in Early Music Series," by Mary Solomon (The Charleston Post & Courier, May 2000)
“Violinist Geronimo Oyenard played a Mozart concerto (no. 3 in G Major, K. 216) with style and musicianship.”
The Charleston Post & Courier, November 24 2002
"One of the most versatile and committed musicians I have had the pleasure of working with. Any orchestra in the U.S. should feel honored to have a musician of Mr. Oyenard’s status in its ranks."
Lorenzo Muti
Conductor and Artistic Director,
The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle
"I spent six weeks working with Mr. Oyenard at the International Festival Institute at Round Top in 2007. I have a vivid memory of his warm personality and vibrant view of what music inspires in young people and what it asks of the musician making it happen. His accomplishments since then speak volumes to how these qualities have evolved through evidence of his teaching activities, entrepreneurial skills in forming chamber music ensembles and winning leadership positions in several orchestras."
Jorja Fleezanis
Former Concertmistress, Minnesota Orchestra
Violin Faculty, Indiana University
"Geronimo was always a first choice for leadership roles for the many projects at NCSA in which he participated, be it the top graduate string quartet or as concertmaster for opera premieres. He was a great leader of the orchestra as well as someone to whom his fellow students could look up to for motivation and support."
Sheila Browne
Viola Professor, Tianjin-Juilliard (China)
"Clearly Geronimo Oyenard is a violinist of extraordinary ability, which has been demonstrated by sustained international acclaim.”
Raymond M. Hair, Jr.
President, American Federation of Musicians
"It is my opinion that Mr. Oyenard has a level of talent and ability far above that usually found in musicians. His playing combines exquisite refinement and compelling emotional communication with an unusually strong command of violin technique."
Kevin Lawrence
Chair, String Department, UNCSA
Artistic Director, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival
"The presence of a musician of Mr. Oyenard's character end accomplishments make him a vital asset to our community. His service as a professional musician and music educator enhances the quality of life in our region in extraordinary and unique ways."
Scott Williamson
Artistic Director, Opera Roanoke