As a performer throughout the tri-state area, Suzzette has performed in such venues as The Kimmel Center, The Mann Music Center, Zanzibar Blue Jazz Club, Villanova Performing Arts Center, La Feria del Barrio, the Bethlehem P.R Festival, The Wayne Jazz Festival (all Philadelphia/ PA area venues), the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Festival (in Atlantic City,NJ), and El Flamingo Night club in Manhattan, NYC. She has studied piano with the likes of Cesar "Pupi" Pedroso (of the world famous Cuban group, Los Van Van), Orlando Fiol, Philadelphia jazz phenom, Jimmy Amadie, and has shared the stage with artists such as, Tito Puente, Nestor Torres, Eddie Palmieri, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Compay Segundo (of the Cuban based Buena Vista Social Club), Brenda K. Starr and Hilton Ruiz. Her international performance credits include the International FestiJazz of La Paz, Bolivia, Venezuela, the Jazz Festival in Cuba, venues such as the Kimmel Center and Zanzibar Blue.
A true advocate of education Ms. Ortiz earned her bachelor degree in piano performance at El Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico, as well as a master degree in education and composition at Temple University of Philadelphia, PA. Since the completion of her collegiate studies, Suzzette has continually sought out workshops and learning opportunities in her constant quest to grow as a musician and educator. These efforts have resulted in two trips to study Latin piano, rhythm and composition in Cuba, many national and international choral workshops, a workshop on vocal improvisation with master, Bobby McFerrin and his Voicestra, as well as post graduate credits in choral conducting at Philadelphia's University of the Arts, and New York City's Julliard School of Music.
Along with the latter accomplishments, Suzzette Ortiz's dedication as an educator has brought great prestige to herself as well as her students. She began her career in education with the highly acclaimed, San Juan Children's Choir, continuing on religious, cultural, and A.M.L.A. (Asociacion de Musicos Latinos Americanos) related choirs in the Philadelphia area to eventually find her home as the vocal director of the Camden, New Jersey's High School for the creative Arts. Despite many obstacles, Ms. Ortiz created history for Camden when she facilitated two consecutive trips for a select group of students to attend Verona, Italy's international vocal competitions of 2003 and 2004. After lots of hard work and faith, both groups came home victorious each year, winning three gold cups in the categories of ethnic/folk music and sound/interpretation. In 2005 she and her students climbed to another level of musical accomplishment by winning the Gold Award at the Heritage Festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico. On February 2006, Suzzette completed a toured to Ghana, West Africa where she performed in various venues with her school's concert choir and five dancers.
brThis past summer, 2007 Suzzette returned from a concert tour in Tuscany, Italy with the Christina Cultural Art Center singing ensemble "Fruits of the Spirit" Suzzette is hired at CCAC as Artist in Residence to conduct the new ensemble. She happily works with Mr. Dennis Fortune, a great jazz piano player arranger and composer who is also the assistant director for Fruits of the Spitit.Overcoming many social and cultural obstacles to share her message of hope and love though music, Suzzette Ortiz is truly making a difference.
Although Suzzette Ortiz has received countless awards, commendations, and medals from Camden's City Council, Camden's Board of Education, the New Jersey State Senate, V.S.A. (an organization that promotes music for special education students), Arts of New Jersey, and even Camden's Mayor, her greatest reward is spreading the passion of music to her students, along with teaching them the value of making a difference.
brLast May 2007 Wal-Mart along with members of the community named Suzzette Teacher of the Year and gave the school $1,000.00 for her next trip with the school's concert choir. Last october 12th Suzztte learned that she had won the Wal-Mart teacher of the year in the entire state of New jersey. Camden City Major Wendolyn Faison proclaimed October 12th, 2007 the Suzzette ortiz day in the city of Camden. Her school recieved 10,000 dollars from Wal-Mart .
Overcoming many social and cultural obstacles to share her message of hope and love though music, Suzzette Ortiz is truly making a difference.
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