Our Teachers and Artists
JUAN CASTILLO
OBOE, PANAMA 🇵🇦
Juan Castillo is Principal Oboist of the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, Professor of Oboe at Panama’s National Institute of Music (formerly the National Conservatory), and Music Director of the Natá de los Caballeros Youth Symphony Orchestra Foundation.
He is the founder and artistic director of the Central America, Mexico, and Caribbean Double Reed Festivals, which have been held continuously since 2004 and have become a cornerstone in the development of double reed performance and education throughout Latin America.
As a soloist, he has performed with numerous distinguished orchestras and ensembles, including the Irving Symphony (Dallas, Texas), the Honduras Philharmonic Orchestra, the El Salvador Symphony Orchestra, the Zulia Symphony Orchestra (Venezuela), the Symphony of the Americas (USA), the Fort Lauderdale Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of the University of Chiriquí, the Chamber Orchestra of the University of Panama, the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, the Republican Band of Panama, the Clarinon Chamber Group, and the Música Viva Orchestra.
He also presented his double reed ensemble DECARÍSIMO at the International Double Reed Society (IDRS) Conference in Redlands, California.
Throughout his career, Castillo has given masterclasses, workshops, and recitals across Central America, Mexico, Cuba, the United States, and Venezuela. As an educator, he has trained a generation of oboists who now perform and teach throughout the Americas and Europe, helping establish a strong Panamanian school of oboe playing while making a lasting contribution to the advancement of the instrument across Latin America.
JOHN ARMSTRONG
Oboe, English horn, and Bassoon manufacturer Australia 🇦🇺
John Armstrong is an Australian oboist, instrument maker, and oboe designer internationally recognized for his extensive experience in both performance and double-reed instrument manufacturing. Throughout his career, he has worked with some of the most prestigious companies in the industry, including T.W. Howarth (London, United Kingdom), Rigoutat (Paris, France), KG Reed Company (Shanghai, China), as well as Jinyin and Bailicheng (Hebei, China).
Since beginning to make oboes in 1989, John has dedicated his career to developing instruments that combine craftsmanship, innovation, precision, and reliability. In 2006, he partnered with renowned instrument maker Tony Ward to create the Armstrong Ward Oboe, a model originally designed for the Australian market that later evolved into the KG Oboes line in Shanghai.
Driven by a continuous pursuit of excellence, John continued refining his designs and ultimately developed the Armstrong Werth brand, with the goal of offering professional-level instruments that provide an exceptional balance of quality, performance, and value. By incorporating modern manufacturing techniques and high-quality components, his oboes deliver a playing experience that respects the instrument’s tradition while meeting the needs and expectations of today’s oboists.
Today, instruments designed by John Armstrong are played by students, teachers, and professional musicians in numerous countries, establishing his reputation as one of the most innovative and respected makers in the oboe world.
MOHAMED SALEH
OBOE, QATAR 🇶🇦
Dr. Mohamed Saleh Ibrahim is an internationally acclaimed oboist and dedicated educator, recognized for his expressive artistry, refined tonal beauty, and distinguished international career. He began studying the oboe at the age of 12 and quickly emerged as an exceptional talent, joining the Cairo Opera Orchestra as a solo oboist at just 17 years old. He currently serves as Assistant Principal Oboe of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Doha, Qatar.
He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the Cairo Conservatory, where he studied with Professor E. Kocinski. He later completed a Master of Music degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago under the guidance of renowned oboist Alex Klein. Continuing his advanced studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock (Germany), he earned the prestigious Artist Diploma (Konzertexamen) under Professor G. Witt. He subsequently received a Doctor of Arts degree in Oboe Performance from the Academy of Arts in Cairo.
Throughout his career, Dr. Saleh has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Heidelberg Sinfoniker, the Norddeutsche Philharmonie Rostock, the Philharmonic of the Nations, and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Barenboim, of which he is a founding member. He has also participated in projects such as Rivers of Sound, conducted by Amir ElSaffar.
In 2026, he was honored with the prestigious Bravo International Music Award in Moscow following a critically acclaimed performance at the historic Bolshoi Theatre, recognized for its musical sensitivity, beautiful tone, and artistic maturity.
During his distinguished career, Mohamed Saleh has shared the stage with many of the most celebrated figures in classical music. Among the renowned vocalists are Waltraud Meier, René Pape, Andrea Bocelli, Plácido Domingo, Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, and Jesús Cura. He has also performed alongside legendary cellists Yo-Yo Ma and Mischa Maisky, as well as internationally acclaimed pianists including Denis Matsuev, Rudolf Buchbinder, Martha Argerich, Lang Lang, Yefim Bronfman, Nikolai Lugansky, and Mitsuko Uchida.
He has worked under the baton of many of today’s leading conductors, including Valery Gergiev, Daniel Barenboim, Han-na Chang, Dmitri Kitayenko, Lorin Maazel, Marc Minkowski, James Gaffigan, David Afkham, Philippe Auguin, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Pablo Mielgo, Alastair Willis, James Shearman, Karl-Heinz Steffens, and Michalis Economou.
During his tenure with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, he has also collaborated with world-class soloists such as Sarah Chang, Julian Rachlin, Emmanuel Pahud, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Mathieu Dufour, Alisa Weilerstein, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, and Marios Papadopoulos, among many others.
A passionate educator, Dr. Saleh is deeply committed to teaching through masterclasses and private instruction, with a particular emphasis on tone production, musical expression, and stylistic understanding. In addition to his work as an oboist, he is also an accomplished saxophonist and duduk player, bringing a broad and versatile artistic perspective to his teaching and performances.
EDINO BIAGGI
OBOE, USA 🇺🇸
Edino Biaggi comes from a distinguished Argentine musical tradition. He is the great-nephew of the legendary tango composer, pianist, and conductor Rodolfo “Manos Brujas” Biaggi (1906–1969), one of the most influential figures in the history of Argentine tango. Inspired by this remarkable artistic legacy, he has built an international career as an oboist, educator, entrepreneur, and professional oboe reed maker.
He began his musical studies at the age of four under the guidance of his mother and, at six, entered the Silvio Agostini School of Music in Cruz Alta, Córdoba, Argentina. At the age of nine, he embarked on his first concert tour under the direction of Maestro Héctor Gatti, marking the beginning of a musical career that would establish him as one of the most internationally active Latin American oboists of his generation.
His professional training continued for nine years with Luis Giavón of the Rosario Symphony Orchestra, followed by advanced studies with Rubén Albornoz, Principal Oboe of the Teatro Colón Orchestra in Buenos Aires. From an early age, he served as Principal Oboe of the Rosario Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Rosario Symphony Orchestra, Rosario Pro Música, the Rosario Contemporary Ensemble, and the Rosario Chamber Orchestra. He was also invited to perform as Principal Oboe of the MERCOSUR Symphony Orchestra, one of South America’s most prestigious youth orchestras.
As a performer, Biaggi has appeared in many of Argentina’s most prestigious concert venues, including the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Teatro El Círculo in Rosario, Centro Cultural Recoleta, Teatro San Martín, Teatro La Comedia, and the Municipal Theatre of Santa Fe. His career has since taken him throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia as a soloist, chamber musician, and guest professor. His performances have been broadcast by internationally renowned classical music stations, including WFMT Classical Chicago and WQXR New York.
In 2001, he was awarded a full scholarship to Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he earned his Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance. There he studied with two internationally respected artists: Alex Klein, former Principal Oboe of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Grover Schiltz, the orchestra’s longtime English horn player.
He later continued his studies at Queens College of the City University of New York (CUNY), earning both a Master of Arts in Oboe Performance (2008) and an Artist Diploma (2011) under the legendary Maestro Humbert Lucarelli. During his time at Queens College, he was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society and received numerous prestigious awards, including the Dorothy and Morris Grosser Woodwind Award, the Ronald Roseman Woodwind Award (twice), the Adele Lerner Chamber Music Prize, and the Discimus ut Serviamus Award. He later joined the faculties of Queens College and Brooklyn College (CUNY) as Adjunct Professor of Oboe.
Alongside his performing and academic career, Edino Biaggi has become one of the most respected figures in the field of handcrafted oboe reed making. After decades of research and refinement, he now oversees a production system capable of producing approximately 5,000 completely handmade professional oboe reeds each year—an exceptional output in a field traditionally defined by small-scale artisan production. His reeds are distributed by some of the most respected specialty retailers in the United States, including Nielsen Woodwinds, Charles Music, Forrests Music, Hodge Products, and Hickey’s Music Center. He is also the exclusive reed supplier for the prestigious Laubin Oboes, one of the world’s most highly regarded oboe manufacturers.
Today, Biaggi maintains an active international career as a concert artist, educator, lecturer, and consultant specializing in double reed instruments. He is the founder of Argendonax and Canal Reed Co., companies dedicated to the development, distribution, and promotion of professional instruments, accessories, and educational initiatives for oboists and bassoonists throughout the Americas. His work combines artistic excellence, innovation, and a strong commitment to music education, making a lasting contribution to the international double reed community.
In addition, Edino Biaggi serves as the Official Distributor of Armstrong Werth (AW) Double Reeds for North, Central, and South America, overseeing the distribution of AW professional oboes, English horns, bassoons, and accessories while expanding access to high-quality double reed instruments throughout the Western Hemisphere.
EDWIN MONTENEGRO
OBOE, MEXICO 🇲🇽
Edwin Sargith Montenegro is a distinguished Panamanian oboist whose career reflects a unique combination of artistic excellence, educational commitment, and leadership in the development of the double reed community throughout Latin America.
He began his musical studies under the guidance of Maestro Juan Castillo before continuing his education at the National Conservatory of Panama. He later earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Panama, graduating with the university’s highest academic distinction as a member of the Sigma Lambda Honor Chapter.
Throughout his career, Montenegro has collaborated with the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama and has performed in major concert venues across Panama, the United States, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Aruba. As a member of the acclaimed Panamanian double reed ensemble Decarissimo, he represented his country at International Double Reed Society (IDRS) conferences, sharing the stage with distinguished international artists while promoting Panamanian musical excellence abroad.
Since 2016, he has been based in Mexico, where he has established a successful professional career. After performing with the Oaxaca Symphony Orchestra, he joined the Acapulco Philharmonic Orchestra, with which he regularly performs in symphonic seasons, educational concerts, and national tours. His artistic career has taken him to some of Mexico’s most prestigious concert venues, including the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the International Cervantino Festival.
As a soloist, he has performed major works from the oboe repertoire, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Winds and Ludwig August Lebrun’s Oboe Concerto No. 1, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to promoting the classical repertoire for the instrument.
In addition to his orchestral career, Edwin is deeply committed to educating the next generation of oboists through private instruction and masterclasses, helping to inspire and develop young musicians across the region.
At Canal Reed, Edwin serves as the National Armstrong Werth (AW) Coordinator for Mexico, leading the company’s activities throughout the country and coordinating instrument tours, product demonstrations, and educational programs. Working closely with Edino Biaggi and the international Canal Reed team, his mission is to provide students, educators, and professional musicians with access to world-class instruments while strengthening Mexico’s double reed community and supporting the development of the next generation of artists.
MOISÉS PENA
OBOE, BRAZIL 🇧🇷
Moisés Pena is a distinguished Brazilian oboist, recognized for his versatility as a soloist, conductor, and chamber musician, with an accomplished career spanning orchestral performance and music education.
He received his musical training in Brazil and the United States, where he earned a Master of Music degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York under the guidance of the legendary oboist Humbert Lucarelli. Throughout his career, he has been a member of major Brazilian orchestras, including the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra–UFF.
As a performer, Pena has appeared as a guest musician with several of Brazil’s leading ensembles, including the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra (OSESP), and has also performed with organizations such as the Bahia Symphony Orchestra.
Deeply committed to music education, he has been invited to teach at prestigious music festivals and has served as a faculty member of NEOJIBÁ (State Centers for Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Bahia), one of Brazil’s most influential music education programs.
He currently serves as Associate Principal Oboe of the Claudio Santoro National Theater Symphony Orchestra in Brasília, Brazil.
CARLOS VILLANUEVA
OBOE, COLOMBIA 🇨🇴
Maestro Carlos Villanueva has distinguished himself throughout his career as a highly skilled professional, not only as a performer but also as a pedagogue. He has been a winner of the Young Performers series at the Luis Ángel Arango Concert Hall with the Carivato Ensemble and the Waira Trio. His career is marked by a constant pursuit of artistic challenges, always seeking to develop projects that broaden the horizons of performers and break established paradigms.
Among the ensembles in which he has participated through competitive auditions are the National Symphonic Band of Colombia and the Bogotá Symphonic Band. For more than 11 years, he served as Principal Oboe and English Horn of the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia. He has also been a member of the Valle Philharmonic Orchestra and has been invited to perform with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra. As a soloist, he has appeared at the Teatro Colón, performing works by J. S. Bach, Rimsky-Korsakov, among others.
He is co-author of the book “Guide to Oboe Initiation”, commissioned by the Colombian Ministry of Culture.
He currently serves as Associate Professor at the Conservatory of the National University of Colombia, teaching oboe and chamber music. He graduated from this institution as an oboist with an emphasis in chamber music and holds a Master’s degree in Artistic Education. He has also been a faculty member at the Pedagogical University of Colombia, the District University, the University of Valle, and the Tolima Conservatory of Music.
He has studied with renowned oboists such as Andreas Schneier, George Merwein, Nicholas Daniel, Ingo Goritzki, Hansjörg Schellenberger, Alex Klein, and Thomas Indermühle.
NORMA PUERTO DE DIOS
OBOE, MEXICO 🇲🇽
Maestra Norma Puerto de Dios is one of Mexico’s most distinguished oboists, recognized for her outstanding orchestral career, exceptional artistry, and unwavering commitment to educating the next generation of musicians.
Originally from Villahermosa, Tabasco, she studied at the Faculty of Music of the University of Veracruz under the guidance of the renowned oboist Esther C. Gleason. Throughout her career, she has continued to refine her artistry through masterclasses with many of the world’s leading oboists, including Hansjörg Schellenberger, Alex Klein, Dwight Parry, Thomas Indermühle, Christoph Hartmann, Francesco Di Rosa, Jacqueline LeClair, Joseph Shalita, James Roe, and Rafael Palacios, among others.
Her dedication to artistic excellence has led her to participate in prestigious festivals and specialized training programs, including Instrumenta Verano, the University Oboe Festival, Jornada Musical Xalapa, and the First National Oboe Week in Mexico City. In 2012, she was awarded Second Prize at the First University Oboe Competition, establishing herself as one of Mexico’s most promising young oboists.
Throughout her professional career, she has performed as a guest musician with many of Mexico’s leading orchestras, including the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, the UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra, the Minería Symphony Orchestra, the Bellas Artes Theatre Orchestra, the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Aguascalientes Symphony Orchestra, the San Luis Potosí Symphony Orchestra, the Chiapas Symphony Orchestra, as well as numerous university symphony orchestras.
Since 2012, she has been a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the country’s premier symphony orchestra. In September 2021, she had the honor of appearing as a soloist with this prestigious ensemble at the iconic Palacio de Bellas Artes, one of Latin America’s most celebrated concert halls.
HERIBERTO PÉREZ
OBOE, EL SALVADOR 🇸🇻
Heriberto Pérez Ramírez was born in El Salvador in 1970, during a period marked by profound sociopolitical turmoil. The country was experiencing political instability, economic inequality, and growing social tensions that would soon culminate in the Salvadoran Civil War. It was within this challenging environment that his early years unfolded.
In 1980, he began his musical education with members of his family in the department of Chalatenango. Despite the hardships brought about by the armed conflict, he pursued his studies with dedication and perseverance, finding in music a path toward personal and professional growth.
In 1995, he began studying the oboe under the guidance of Maestro Germán Cáceres, the distinguished oboist and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of El Salvador.
He later became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of El Salvador, where he served as Principal Oboe and appeared on numerous occasions as a soloist, earning recognition for his expressive artistry and unwavering musical commitment.
Since 1998, Pérez has devoted much of his career to educating future generations of musicians as a professor within El Salvador’s Youth Orchestra System. He currently serves on the faculty of the San Salvador Symphony Orchestra, where he continues to promote the development of the oboe while mentoring young musicians and inspiring the next generation of performers.
Through his extensive artistic and pedagogical career, Heriberto Pérez Ramírez has become one of the leading advocates for oboe education in El Salvador, leaving a lasting legacy that has significantly contributed to the growth of both oboe performance and orchestral music in his country.
RAVI SHANKAR DOMINGUES
OBOE, BRAZIL 🇧🇷
Dr. Ravi Shankar Domingues is Professor of Oboe and Chamber Music at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Brazil, where he also serves as a permanent faculty member of the Graduate Program in Music (PPGM/UFPB). He began his musical education at the School of Music of Brasília (EMB), earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Brasília (UnB), and completed advanced performance studies (Künstlerische Ausbildung) at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock in Germany. He later received both his Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in Performance from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).
As a performer, Dr. Domingues has built an outstanding international career, appearing with major orchestras in Brazil, Germany, Canada, and Mexico, including the Mecklenburgische Staatskapelle Schwerin, Neubrandenburger Philharmonie, Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra. He has also participated in prestigious international festivals such as the Junge Künstler Bayreuth Festival (Germany), the Amazonas Opera Festival, the Virtuosi Festival of Recife, and the Artes Vertentes Festival in Tiradentes. He was also a member of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, performing under the direction of the internationally acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
His artistic excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including First Prize in both the Eleazar de Carvalho Young Soloists Competition and the Young Soloists Competition of the Experimental Repertoire Orchestra.
In addition to his performing career, Dr. Domingues is deeply engaged in academic research and higher education. He is a member of the International Double Reed Society (IDRS), the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT), and the Observatoire interdisciplinaire de création et de recherche en musique (OICRM). He also coordinates the Interdisciplinary Center for Musical Performance (NIPMus).
A passionate advocate for the advancement of Brazil’s musical community, Dr. Domingues is the founder of the Brazilian Double Reed Association (ABPD) and the Brazilian Network for Artists’ Health (RBSA). His work brings together performance, research, and education to promote artistic excellence, musician well-being, and the sustainable development of performing artists.
JOSE MEDEIROS
OBOE, BRAZIL 🇧🇷
Jose Medeiros is one of Brazil’s most distinguished oboists of his generation, recognized for his outstanding career as a soloist, orchestral musician, chamber performer, and educator.
A native of Patos, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, he completed postgraduate studies in Education at the Instituto A Vez do Mestre in Rio de Janeiro and earned his Bachelor of Music in Oboe from the Federal University of Paraíba, where he studied under Maestro Roberto Carlos Di Léo. He later refined his artistry with the legendary oboist Humbert Lucarelli (Italy–United States), one of the most influential oboe pedagogues of the twentieth century.
Throughout his career, Medeiros has served as Principal Oboe of several of Brazil’s leading orchestras, including the Paraíba Symphony Orchestra, the Recife Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the historic Theatro da Paz in Belém, and the North-Northeast Philharmonic Orchestra. He currently serves as Principal Oboe of the Claudio Santoro National Theater Symphony Orchestra in Brasília, one of Brazil’s most prestigious symphony orchestras.
As a soloist, he has appeared with many distinguished ensembles, including the Paraíba Symphony Orchestra, the Claudio Santoro National Theater Symphony Orchestra, the Goiás Symphony Orchestra, the Camerata Antiqua de Curitiba, and the Eleazar de Carvalho Camerata, establishing himself as one of the foremost ambassadors of the Brazilian oboe tradition.
His commitment to music education has had a profound impact on the development of new generations of oboists. He has taught at the Federal University of Amazonas, the University of Brasília (UnB), and the Carlos Gomes Conservatory in Belém do Pará, while also serving as a guest professor at numerous festivals and specialized courses throughout Brazil and abroad. In 2012, at the invitation of Maestro Humbert Lucarelli, he presented masterclasses at The Hartt School and the University of Hartford in the United States.
Medeiros has also enjoyed an active chamber music career. As a member of the renowned Brasília Wind Quintet, he participated in the recording of the album Brincadeira a Cinco (2009). In 2013 and 2014, he was featured as an artist in Sonora Brasil, the acclaimed cultural project of SESC, completing an extensive national tour that included recitals and masterclasses in more than 130 cities across every Brazilian state.
In 2010, he released his debut solo album, Oboé do Brasil, on the Meta Cultural label, reaffirming his commitment to promoting the Brazilian oboe repertoire while showcasing the country’s rich musical heritage.
Combining artistic excellence, orchestral leadership, an outstanding commitment to education, and a lifelong dedication to advancing the oboe, José Medeiros has established himself as one of the most respected and influential figures in Brazilian classical music.
DELBERTH CASTELLÓN
OBOE, COSTA RICA 🇨🇷
Delberth Castellón Mora is one of Costa Rica’s most distinguished musicians of his generation, widely recognized for his artistic excellence as an oboist, conductor, and educator. He is a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, a Latin GRAMMY® Award-winning ensemble, where he has established an outstanding career as one of the country’s leading orchestral musicians.
As a soloist, Castellón has been invited to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica for five consecutive seasons, interpreting some of the most celebrated works in the oboe repertoire, including concertos by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Richard Strauss, Giovanni Benedetto Platti, and Ludwig August Lebrun. These performances have established him as one of Central America’s foremost oboists.
He began his musical studies with the Costa Rican Youth Symphony Orchestra (now the National Institute of Music), where he studied under Daniel Weber and Jorge Rodríguez. He later refined his artistry through masterclasses with internationally renowned oboists, including Alex Klein, legendary former Principal Oboe of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; John Dee, former Principal Oboe of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra; and Claudio Bondi, further broadening his artistic perspective at the highest international level.
His conducting studies were pursued over a period of three years under the mentorship of the distinguished Maestro Carl St. Clair, former Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, receiving comprehensive training in orchestral leadership and symphonic conducting.
Throughout his career, Castellón has enjoyed an active international performing career as both a soloist and orchestral musician, appearing in Germany, Spain, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Japan, Taiwan, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, and Cuba. Among his notable appearances was the prestigious International Cervantino Festival, one of the most important cultural festivals in the Spanish-speaking world.
As a guest conductor, he has led the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica on five occasions and has also directed the orchestra’s woodwind section. In addition, he has conducted the Heredia Concert Band, the woodwind section of the San José Concert Band, and served as Music Director of both the Symphonic Band and the Chamber Orchestra of the Pérez Zeledón School of Symphonic Music (National University) from 1997 to 2024. During his tenure, he led numerous artistic projects and recorded the album Diez Años de Historia Musical (“Ten Years of Musical History”).
Since 2007, he has served as Director of the Casa de la Cultura de Mora Wind Ensemble (ADERHAC), where he has played a vital role in promoting cultural initiatives and advancing music education within the Costa Rican community.
Education has remained a defining element of Castellón’s career. He is the founding professor of both the Oboe and Orchestral Conducting departments at the Pérez Zeledón School of Symphonic Music (National University), as well as at the Casa de la Cultura de Mora. Through these institutions, he has trained numerous musicians who now perform in professional orchestras and concert bands throughout the region.
As a pedagogue, he has presented courses and masterclasses at the National University of Costa Rica, the University of Costa Rica, multiple campuses of Costa Rica’s National Music Education System (SINEM), the National School of Arts of Cuba, as well as specialized institutions in Panama, Nicaragua, and the Conservatory of Mexico City, further establishing his reputation as an internationally respected educator.
Combining exceptional artistry, inspirational leadership, and an unwavering commitment to music education, Delberth Castellón Mora continues to be one of the most influential figures in oboe performance and orchestral conducting in Central America, inspiring new generations of musicians through his lifelong pursuit of artistic excellence and cultural development.
RONALD BULGIM
OBOE, MEXICO 🇲🇽
Ronald Bulgim’s journey with the oboe began during his childhood at Holt Park Middle School in Leeds, England, after hearing Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for music and ultimately shaped his musical vocation.
After returning to Panama, he began his musical studies with Maestro Efraín Castro and later continued under the guidance of Juan Castillo, who became his principal artistic mentor. At the age of 19, he joined the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, marking the beginning of his professional career as an orchestral musician.
Throughout his career, Bulgim has participated in international festivals, masterclasses, and educational programs, including projects with the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. In addition to his classical career, he has cultivated a strong interest in modern jazz and chamber music, broadening his artistic perspective across multiple musical styles.
Alongside his musical career, Ronald serves as CEO and President of Graficorp, a leading provider of industrial graphic solutions for manufacturing and production industries throughout Latin America. His leadership has earned international recognition, including the International Leadership Accreditation awarded by the Embassy of the United States.
A polyglot with a deep passion for technology, industry, and history, Ronald has built his career on the principles of excellence, discipline, and service, with faith and family serving as the foundation of both his professional and personal life.
His personal philosophy is reflected in one of his favorite quotations:
“There are no impossible things—only people who are unwilling to achieve them.”
Ronald currently performs on an Armstrong Werth AW Regal Rose Gold oboe alongside his beloved 1984 Rigoutat, embracing a new chapter in his artistic journey. Speaking about Armstrong Werth, he describes the instruments as:
“The perfect combination of craftsmanship, innovation, and a deep understanding of the needs of the modern oboist.”
International Strategic Advisor – Armstrong Werth
Ronald Bulgim serves on the international leadership team of Armstrong Werth as International Strategic Advisor, contributing to the company’s global expansion, the development of strategic partnerships, and the continued strengthening of its presence within the worldwide oboe community.
Drawing upon his unique experience as both a professional musician and successful entrepreneur, he brings a comprehensive perspective rooted in excellence, innovation, and a commitment to advancing world-class musical instruments.
Throughout his career, Ronald continues to find in music the same inspiration that first led him to discover the oboe, firmly believing that true excellence is achieved through the union of passion, discipline, and purpose.