Biography

Ana Catalina Ramírez Castrillo is a Costa Rican clarinetist known for her versatility as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician.

Born in San José, Costa Rica, she began her musical studies at the National Institute of Music of Costa Rica in 1992. In her country Ms. Ramírez was principal clarinet of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, first clarinet of the National Band of San José, second clarinet of the National Symphony Orchestra for a season, and twice winner of the Costa Rica Young Soloist Competition, appearing several times as a soloist with both Youth and National Symphony Orchestras.



In 1997 Ms. Ramírez traveled to perform outside her country for the first time, and since then her artistry has taken her to many different countries and prestigious halls around the world including: Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Argentina’s “Teatro Colon,” Portugal, Spain, China, Venezuela, and USA’s Carnegie Hall.

She has performed with the New England Youth Orchestra, Orchestra of the Americas, Brockton Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts, the International Youth Orchestra in Murcia, Spain, Opera North in New Hampshire, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra as principal clarinet for two years, YouTube Symphony Orchestra, and Network for New Music, Philadelphia's leading contemporary ensemble.

In her continuous search to improve as a musician and clarinetist, Ms. Ramírez sought to study abroad while receiving numerous scholarships. Today she holds an Undergraduate Performance Diploma with distinction from Longy School of Music, a Master of Music Performance and Education from University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Temple University in Philadelphia. Her main teachers include: Marvin Araya, Frankie J. Kelly, Jonathan Cohler, Michael Sussman and Ricardo Morales.

Ms. Ramírez specializes in music from Latin America and commissions and premieres new works from the region. Her recording of Carlos Escalante Clarinet Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica was nominated for the Latin Grammy in 2014, and in 2010 Clariperu’s international jury chose her as clarinetist of the year for all Spanish-speaking countries.

Today Ms. Ramírez resides in Costa Rica with her husband, daughter, and two cats where she teaches clarinet at the National University in Heredia, and at SINEM (National Music Education System). She is also a freelance musician and principal clarinet of the Heredia National Concert Band.