About

Latin Grammy-nominated and American Prize-winner conductor Luis Viquez continues to gain attention as one of the most influential Central American artists of his generation for his versatile career as an orchestral, opera, and wind band conductor. A native of Costa Rica, he currently serves as the Director of Orchestral Studies and Assistant Professor of Orchestral Conducting at the University of Rhode Island, following an acclaimed seven-year tenure as the Director of Orchestral Activities Endowed Chair and Music Director of the University of South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and the University of South Dakota Opera from 2016-2023.

A sought-after guest conductor, Luis has led featured performances throughout the United States, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, and England, recently making his debut with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica and also collaborating with ensembles such as the Orquesta Sinfónica de Heredia (Costa Rica), the Cartago Municipal Orchestra (Costa Rica), the National Wind Orchestra of Guatemala, the Cherokee Symphony (IA), the Emporia Symphony Orchestra (KS), the Midwest Chamber Ensemble (KS), and also as Music Director finalist for the Hastings Symphony Orchestra in Nebraska. Recently, he held conducting fellowships with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra (PA), the Saratoga Orchestra (WA), and the Chamber Orchestra of New York.

His discography includes the albums Costa Rica desde Afuera recorded with the Heredia Symphony Orchestra, Observations On... recorded with the University of South Dakota Symphony Orchestra; and El Ruido del Agua - Music by Eddie Mora, nominated for the 23rd Latin Grammy Awards in the category of Best Classical Music Album.

Parallel to his career as a conductor, Luis is an accomplished clarinetist. He has appeared as a soloist with the South Dakota Symphony, the Sioux City Municipal Band and the Heredia Symphony. In the early years of his career, he served as a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica and toured with the World Youth Wind Orchestra in Taiwan. His chamber music performances have been broadcasted by the South Dakota Public Broadcasting and the University of Costa Rica Broadcasting System.
 
Dr. Viquez holds degrees from the University of Costa Rica (BM – Clarinet Performance), Truman State University (MA – Clarinet Performance & MA - Wind Band Conducting) and UMKC Conservatory (DMA – Orchestral Conducting). He is a clarinet artist for the brands Royal Global Clarinets and D’Addario Woodwinds USA.

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Awards & Recognitions

THE AMERICAN PRIZE IN OPERA CONDUCTING / 2023
Winner - 3rd Place 

23rd LATIN GRAMMY® AWARDS / 2022
Nominee Artist. Best Classical Music Album
"El Ruido del Agua - music by Eddie Mora" (Musitica Records)

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA PRESIDENT'S LEGACY AWARD / 2022

THE AMERICAN PRIZE IN ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE / 2022
Winner - 2nd Place. University of South Dakota Symphony Orchestra

THE RESPIGHI PRIZE IN ORCHESTRAL CONDUCTING / 2022
Honorable Mention
Awarded by the Chamber Orchestra of New York and the City of Bologna.

THE AMERICAN PRIZE IN ORCHESTRAL CONDUCTING / 2021
Honorable Mention. Professional Orchestra Division with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Heredia

SOUTH DAKOTA OUTSTANDING YOUNG MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD / 2021
Winner.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA PRESIDENTIAL RESEARCH AWARD / 2019
Winner. President's Award for Creative Research

TRUMAN GOLD MEDAL CONCERTO COMPETITION / 2014
Winner.

NATIONAL COMPETITION OF BANDS OF COSTA RICA / 2011
Winner. Outstanding Conductor Award.