Biography
Fernando Fernandez Jr. is an active music educator and mentor in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he is the current Director of Vocal Ensembles for Flour Bluff ISD. Throughout his 29-year career in education, teaching assignments have included classrooms and rehearsal spaces from elementary to collegiate levels. The early parts of his career were in the band realm, but he eventually became a full-time choir director and still occasionally works with orchestras and bands. His undergraduate studies were at Phillips University and St. Gregory’s University, and his graduate studies were at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. His master’s thesis and project were on El Sistema history and foundations, music curriculum, the introduction of social change in public school music programs, and a new teacher’s guide to the classroom. Among his many teaching awards, Fernando is a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction, a Longy School of Music IMPACT Award winner, and a Berlioz International Music Competition gold award winner for Innovative Writing. His performing choirs and students receive awards and recognition regularly. Fernando also sits on many boards and committees locally and throughout the states. He has even recently served as an invited guest for the Alabama State Council on the Arts grant committee. He enjoys writing short stories, academic essays, and musical compositions. His hobbies include cooking, reading, and collecting pop culture memorabilia and books. He also loves raccoons.