2005 IPPEC Examiner

Dr. Sergio H. Ruiz

Sergio H. Ruiz, a California native, is the Director of Keyboard Studies at Sam Houston State University. Prior to this appointment, he was the Head of the Music Program at Sul Ross State University. He received his doctoral degree from Rice University, his Master's degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and his Bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University. His teachers include Robert Roux, Paul Schenly, and Hans Boepple.

Dr. Ruiz has performed in many cities around the U. S., including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cleveland, New York City, Houston, Barcelona, and Quito, Ecuador. Most recently, he appeared on KUHF's The Front Row with host Dean Dalton. In 2000 he won a Wagoner scholarship, an academic scholarship enabling Dr. Ruiz to study in Barcelona, Spain under the tutelage of the great pianist Alicia de Larrocha. He has coached chamber music with many distinguished artists such as Paul and Martha Katz, Donald Weilerstein, Jon Kimura Parker, Kathleen Winkler, Anne Epperson, and Jeanne Kierman and Norman Fischer of The Fischer Duo.

As an adjudicator and clinician, he has judged at several piano competitions and festivals in Texas and California. Dr. Ruiz has also given concerts and masterclasses at the Franz Liszt Conservatory in Quito, Ecuador and was invited back to judge the First Annual National Piano competition of Ecuador. He has also participated in many state and international competitions, including the Cleveland International, Gina Bachauer, and Concert Artist Guild competitions. In 1998, he was a finalist at the Carmel Music Society Competition. In 1995 he performed with the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, as a result of winning the school concerto competition. Dr. Ruiz enjoys playing contemporary music. In April 1998 he premiered a solo piano work Escapade #3 by Philip Rothman, which was written and dedicated to him. Dr. Ruiz joined the faculty at Sam Houston State University in 2004.
　

Message from Dr. Sergio H. Ruiz

10 October 2005

Dear Charlene,

This past summer was a wonderful memory and experience for me. I enjoyed the professionalism and hospitality of you and your staff, working with the students and teachers of Taiwan, and I especially enjoyed experiencing the Taiwanese culture.

It is very important to see how other countries have examinations to better the level of their students and teachers. I hope the teachers and parents know what a privilege it is to have this type of examination process. Your examinations are very thorough and the examination schedule is very well organized.

Thank you for this wonderful memory and I look forward to working with you and IPPEC in the future. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

Sincerely!