Javier Valerio
Artist's Favorite Rousseau Mouthpieces
Biography:
Dr. Javier Valerio is widely recognized worldwide as one of the pioneers and leaders of classical saxophone in Latin America. He is the first saxophonist in Costa Rica and Latin America to obtain a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degree in his discipline.
Valerio is currently the Professor Saxophone at the University of Costa Rica, founding President of ALASAX (Alianza Latinoamericana de Saxofonistas), Secretary of the prestigious International Saxophone Committee and Director of Sax Fest Costa Rica International.
After graduating in 1993 from Indiana University School of Music, as a student of the world-renowned saxophonist, Eugene Rousseau, Valerio returned to his home country, Costa Rica. Since 1994, he has been Professor of the Chair of Saxophone, Director of the Instrumental Department, Director of Instrumental Department, Coordinator of the Winds and Percussion Section, Coordinator of the Chamber Music Course of the School of Musical Arts of the University of Costa Rica. In addition, Dr. Valerio has been director and founder of Sax Fest Costa Rica International, a member of the CIS (Comité Internacional de Saxofón) and a founding member of the renowned saxophone and percussion quintet, SONSAX.
Dr. Valerio was a professor of classical saxophone chair at Florida International University School of Music, New World School of the Arts, Miami, and the University of Kansas and a member of the Florida Saxophone Quartet.
Valerio has also been very active in the popular music scene with jazz bands, combos and Latin ensembles over the years.
Dr. Valerio has been invited to perform as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, Castella Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, and other orchestras and symphony bands in several Latin American countries. He has performed numerous times at the World Saxophone Congresses, the American Saxophonist Alliance, the Montreal Jazz Festival and numerous major Latin American festivals.
Dr. Valerio has been invited as a jury to international saxophone competitions including the Adolf Sax International Competition in Dinant, Belgium, Marcel Mule Saxophone Competition, Mexico. As a director, he has directed different wind assemblies in Latin America.
As a soloist and SONSAX member, Valerio has traveled by offering recitals, clinics, master classes and concerts in countries such as Russia, Croatia, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, The United States, Chile, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, France, Germany, Scotland, Switzerland, Belgium, Mexico, Central America and Panama.
Dr. Valerio earned his PhD degree from the University of Kansas, as part of the KU-UCR convention initiated in 1958.
