José Cerón-Ortega

Awarded by the Vancouver Musicians' Association as the 2023 Community Activist of the Year, Maestro Jose Ceron Ortega has developed an intense musical activity in various countries as instrumentalist, conductor, coach, adjudicator and adviser.

He collaborated for over 20 years in the development of the National Youth Orchestral System of Venezuela (known worldwide as “El Sistema”), as coordinator of the Ceron’s Musical Initiation System.

Born in México City, Ceron Ortega holds a Bachelor’s Degree in violin from the National University of México (UNAM), a Diploma in Orchestral and Operatic conducting from the Rimsky Korsakov State Conservatoire in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation and a Certificate in Music Conducting from Capilano University in North Vancouver.

Jose was adviser of “El Sistema” México, founder director of the Amadeus String Orchestra and Chief Conductor of the Simon Bolivar Regional Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela, Music Director of Buenos Aires Regional Symphony Orchestra, Professor of the National University of San Juan, and adviser of “El Sistema” Argentina.

Since 2017, Jose is in charge of the Orchestral Program at Saint James Music Academy in DTES Vancouver and is Musical Director of the Coast Symphony Orchestra in Gibsons.