-- Biography --
Jorge Ibáñez's music has been characterized by its lyricism, clarity of form, a Bolivian elegance, spontaneity, and an uncanny ear for sonority and instrumentation.
Born in La Paz, Bolivia, Mr. Ibáñez started his musical studies under the guidance of his parents, both outstanding Bolivian musicians. He studied at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in La Paz. Upon graduation he taught there for three years before moving to the United States. He holds degrees from Longy School of Music (Graduate Diploma), the New England Conservatory of Music (Bachelor of Music), and Carnegie Mellon University (Master of Music). In addition he has ABD in Doctor of Musical Arts in composition at Boston University. His principal teachers have been Lukas Foss, Theodore Antoniou, Leonardo Balada, John McDonald, Malcolm Peyton, and Robert Kyr, composition; and Sally Pinkas, Gustavo Navarre, Alicia de Justiniano, piano.
Mr. Ibáñez is the winner of several awards. In 1998 he won the third prize in the Teresa Rivera de Stahlie National Composer Competition, Bolivia. He received an Honorable Mention in the Composer Competition at Carnegie Mellon University in 1995. He won the second prize in the Humberto Viscarra Monje Piano Competition, Bolivia in 1985. He was awarded the second prize in the Simon Bolivar National Composers Competition in 1983.
He performs regularly throughout South America and New England as a member of Duo Ibáñez, a violin and piano ensemble, and Ritmos 3, a violin, piano, and percussion ensemble. He has been in the faculties of New World School for the Arts and Broward Community College in Florida. Currently he teaches at Winchester Community Music School, and Roxbury Community College. He lives in Boston with his wife Deborah, his daughter Katarina and his son Mateo.