Hernan Constantino, violinist with the San Diego Symphony, finds time in our busy Symphony schedule to be the Music Director of the Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra which has about 200 kids in the program. Mr. Constantino also directs the Advanced Orchestra (70 students), and the Intermediate Orchestra (60 students). You’ll see him offering his services for orchestra clinics and masterclasses to various schools and organizations in the Southern California area.
Beyond those offerings, he has a private music studio solosoli.com and teaches violin and viola privately (and in chamber music group settings). He’s been teaching in the San Diego area since 1996, so he’s shared his knowledge with literally hundreds of aspiring young students. He has guided students to wonderful universities such as The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Eastman University, Manhattan School of Music, Indiana University , University of Southern California, as well as University of California in Los Angeles to name a few.
(photo courtesy of the San Diego Union-Tribune)
It’s not only about the music. In his words:
“Besides teaching the students how to play, I want to make sure that I also teach them how to be good citizens in our community, through outreaches to local hospitals and retirement homes; being fair and supportive with others and proper values and morals. I always felt that all students have learned a lot when they leave for college: lessons in patience, goals, work habits, expectations, and enjoyment. One of my favorite stories is seeing a parent of a former student, 3 or 4 years later and he mentioned how his daughter continues to use the tools that she has learned from me – and she is finishing up her nursing degree.”
What is your favorite part of teaching?
“Seeing the potential at the 1st meeting and making what I envision for that student happen. Feeling proud of how they improve and for the students to value the time working on it and sharing their rewards whether it is in school appearances to winning or placing in local and regional instrumental competitions.”
In the Community: Hernan Constantino