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Biography

I started studying music in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic at the age of nine. I only played the piano at the very beginning, but soon realised that playing the violin would mean engaging and playing with other people in a group. As soon as I started violin lessons, I joined the National Youth Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, where I made lifetime friends. We toured many cities within the country and travelled to Germany and the United States. The experiences of connecting with all kinds of people, travelling around the world, and becoming a better person through music, made such a profound impact in my life. It was then that I realised I wanted to be a musician.

I started studying music in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic at the age of nine. I only played the piano at the very beginning, but soon realised that playing the violin would mean engaging and playing with other people in a group. As soon as I started violin lessons, I joined the National Youth Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, where I made lifetime friends. We toured many cities within the country and travelled to Germany and the United States. The experiences of connecting with all kinds of people, travelling around the world, and becoming a better person through music, made such a profound impact in my life. It was then that I realised I wanted to be a musician. 

Looking for better opportunities for my career and future, I left the Dominican Republic to study in the United States. During my college years, I toured with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, and graduated from their Global Leaders Program. I was able to travel to Canada, Jamaica, and Haiti to partner with El Sistema inspired programmes, working with the underserved and underprivileged youth. As a strong advocate for music education, I believe music has the power to break cultural barriers and change people’s lives. Nowadays, I continue my journey with a reinforced sense of this calling. On a regular basis I am able to see how music continues to touch me, and all the others around. When we make personal and meaningful connections with music, we become more sensitive and are empathetic towards each other. 

Whenever I am not playing music, I am catching up with friends from all over the world, exploring outside in nature, enjoying different cultures through their language, art, food, and people. I always try to do something different everyday, because habit is a good servant but a bad master.


EDUCATION

Graduate Artist Certificate, University of North Texas
Texas, USA

Master of Music, University of North Texas
Texas, USA

Bachelor of Music, Florida International University
Florida, USA


QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS

What do you love about classical music? 
I love the fact that classical music has remained with us after hundreds of years of existence. It breaks through the barriers of time and cultures to speak directly to our spirits, dignifying and elevating our souls. It serves as the means of noble expression and refuge to our lives. To put it simply, it is one of the most outstanding creations of humanity.

What’s on your playlist right now? 
I always enjoy listening and discovering all kinds of music. Currently in my playlist you can find music from all over the world. There is Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Beethoven’s string quartets, some British rock from the 60s, Caribbean musicians such as Calle 13, Buena Vista Club, Juan Luis Guerra, Johnny Ventura, Bob Marley and Desmond Dekker. There is also Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, some good funk from Motown artists, rappers Notorious BIG and N.W.A. The list goes on and on.


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TORKE'S ASH

Hear Usman discuss Michael Torke's Ash
TORKE'S ASH
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BEETHOVEN'S SEVENTH

Watch Usman perform a quartet arrangement of Beethoven's Symphony No.7 - Allegretto
BEETHOVEN'S SEVENTH
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Blog

10 for 10: Alumni Q&A with Usman Peguero

09 March 2020
To celebrate ten years of the partnership between Southbank Sinfonia and EFG Private Banking, and to highlight how together we have helped musicians from across the world build successful and varied careers, we are presenting 10 for 10: 10 alumni stories over 10 months shining a spotlight on the achievements of our brilliant alumni.
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