Ricardo Castro – Brasil

Despite his youth, Ricardo Castro was exceptionally accepted to join the School of Music and Performing Arts of the Federal University of Bahia at only 5 years of age. In 1984 he began his studies in Europe, joining the Superior Conservatory of Music in Geneva in the virtuosity class of M. Tipo, while also attending the conducting class of A. Gerecz. He completed his piano studies in Paris with D. Merlet. In 1987 he was the exaequo winner of the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, which kickstarted his international career. In 1993 Castro also received the first prize at the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in England, becoming the first Latin American to win the competition since its foundation. Throughout his career, he has played or conducted in some of the most important concert halls in the world alongside great and renowned orchestras. He has been a professor at the Haute École de Musique de Lausanne in Switzerland and at a prestigious school the Fiesole School of Music. From September 2020 on he’s engaged as a piano teacher at the prestigious Haute École de Musique de Geneve and from 2021 he is also head of the keyboard department. Invited by the Government of the State of Bahia, Castro created NEOJIBA (State Centers for Youth and Children Orchestras of Bahia). In 2013, he became the first Brazilian to receive the Honorary Membership from the Royal Philharmonic Society.