Biography
Described recently by "El Sol de México" as one of Mexico's most interesting profiles in classical music, orchestra conductor Claudio Ordaz is increasingly recognized as a versatile, dynamic and elegant orchestra conductor, known for his vibrant performances of the orchestral and operatic repertoire. Educated in México, USA, Czech Republic and Estonia, Mr. Ordaz draws strengths from the new and old worlds, placing him as one of today's young generation of deeply informed musicians. His clear and expressive conducting technique combined with the latest performance practice research and an energetic personality, have created an inviting and enriching musical atmosphere that communicates with orchestras and audiences at rehearsals and performances.
Already known as an orchestra builder, Mr. Ordaz is the founder of the Savonlinna Camerata in Finland, and holds the distinction of being the first Mexican conductor that has established an orchestra in Europe. As Music Director of the Savonlinna Camerata, Ordaz is acclaimed for his success in reaching out to the community and increasing the size and diversity of audiences through innovative programming and deepening relationships with many of the leading arts organizations and artists in Finland. Mr. Ordaz's remarkable musicianship, community, fundraising and administrative skills have made possible that in a short period of time and under his leadership, The Savonlinna Camerata is receiving rave reviews and has developed according to the East Finland newspaper into a: "High-caliber chamber orchestra"; and in 2015, The orchestra was awarded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation. He is also the founder and Artistic Director of the Nayarit State Philharmonic Orchestra in México.Ordaz has recently conducted the Romanian Symphony, National Estonian Symphony, Orchestra of Tartu city Opera, Parnu Symphony, Kuopio Symphony, Joensuu Symphony, St. Michael Chamber orchestra Savonlinna Symphony. In 2004, Mr. Ordaz made he made his Czech Republic debut with a successful performance with the Praga Sinfonietta and has led orchestras such as the Olomouc Symphony, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Moravian Sinfonietta, Chihuahua Symphony, Durango Symphony. Mr. Ordaz is passionate about teaching, conducting and mentoring young musicians, which has led to numerous invitations and positions with educational institutions. These, include The Estonian National Youth orchestra, Tallinn Youth Symphony, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Prague Conservatory of Music, Savonlinna Music Institute, Kuopio Conservatory Symphony, Joensuu Conservatory Symphony, Oulu University, Petrozavodsk Conservatory Symphony in Russia, and many others.
El Sol de México: "To Claudio Ordaz, music emanates from the very heart… He is a virtuoso and truly inspiring conductor…"
Ellyn Hutton, a music critic from Cincinnati described him as "a very energetic young conductor with a lot of personality…"
Karjalainen (Finnish newspaper): "Claudio Ordaz has a wide musical experience, unique visions and a radiating joy for making music. He is an extremely valuable mentor for young orchestra musicians… The intensity of the performance given by Claudio Ordaz and the orchestra was absolutely astonishing…"
SavonSanomat (Finnish newspaper): "Claudio Ordaz possesses a very unique and personal conducting style combined with a strong experience…"
Ita-Savo (Finnish newspaper): "Claudio Ordaz is a very inspiring conductor". "The rhythmical fireworks worked incredibly well. He combined all the musical elements gloriously… the concert was an absolute joy…"
An accomplished violinist, Claudio Ordaz has performed extensively with several orchestras and chamber music ensembles in countries such as Estonia, Czech Republic, Spain, Finland, United States, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Luxemburg and has worked with world-renowned conductors Kurt Masur, Neville Marriner, Gurer Aykal, Nicolai Alexeev, Lorin Maazel, Paavo Järvi and Zdenek Macal. He has been taught in violin and chamber music by Jaroslav Foltyn, Alban Berg Quartet, Tokyo String Quartet, Beijing Quartet, Victor Rosemblum, and Oscar Shumsky.
A strong advocate of new music, Mr. Ordaz has closely collaborated with Grammy winning award composer Arvo Pärt, and has conducted the world premiere performances of works written by composers Ester Mägi and Jan Mikael Vainio.
Claudio Ordaz holds a bachelor of Music in violin performance from the University of Texas at El Paso, a Master and PhD in Orchestral Conducting from the prestigious Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he studied under the legendary Estonian Conductor Eri Klas. His post-graduate training in orchestra conducting was made at the Prague Conservatory of Music with Prof. Miriam Nemcova, and has participated in numerous international masterclasses by renowned conductors such as Neeme Järvi, Gennadi Rozhdetsvensky, Juri Alperten and Jorma Panula to be among his most influential mentors.
From 2010-2015, Mr. Ordaz served as Eri Klas´s assistant in numerous operatic and symphonic productions, as well as in different pedagogical activities with institutions including The Estonian National Opera, The Novaya Opera of Moscow, The Estonian National Symphony, The Birgitta Opera Festival, The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Ordaz´s doctoral dissertation focuses on issues dealing with late nineteenth-century "Performance Practice". Mr. Ordaz is recognized as culture ambassador of México. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Lambda Honor Society, and in 2009 and 2010 consecutively, he was awarded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation. From 2018-2019, Mr. Ordaz taught violin and chamber music at the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences and works closely with the Autism Foundation Finland.