Mr. Sanchez?s passion for percussive sound began as a curious toddler with several distinctive performances of his self-orchestrated masterpiece entitled 'Annoying Child with Metal Pots and Pans.' As a performer who has never allowed social constraints to impede creative expression attempts by his mother to tie kitchen cabinet doors shut proved to be both futile and incredibly galvanizing for the young percussionist. The intrinsic tonal qualities of metal surfaces notwithstanding Mr. Sanchez?s ambitious nature soon lead him from the dusty kitchen floor to the sparkle of the concert stage.
After substituting cookware with a set of professional timpani Mr. Sanchez years later was named Acting Principal Timpanist of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra for the 2008-2009 season. His diverse credits include featured performances of works ranging from Mahler?s Symphony No. 9 Shostakovich?s Symphony No. 1 and Tchaikovsky?s Symphony No. 4 to Stravinsky?s Symphony of Psalms Barber?s Second Essay and Rouse?s Trombone Concerto featuring Chicago Symphony Trombonist Michael Mulcahy on WCVE live public radio broadcasts. In addition to his duties as principal timpanist Mr. Sanchez participated in the Richmond Symphony?s Musical Ambassadors Program. This program educates students about music?s capacity to develop essential life skills such as patience communication and teamwork. As a member of the symphony?s Percussion Duo he helped propel the program and duo into a popularity among educators not witnessed in any year prior to his appointment.
As an ardent solo and chamber performer Mr. Sanchez has been privileged to perform with a number of the world?s most talented and influential percussive icons. These artists include Bob Becker Michael Burritt Evelyn Glennie Dave Samuels Gordon Stout and Paul Wertico of the Pat Metheny Group. As a soloist Mr. Sanchez has been featured with the Eastman Marimba Ensemble CIM Percussion Ensemble Aspen Percussion Ensemble and the Richmond Symphony.
Mr. Sanchez?s active performance schedule includes past and present engagements with the Atlanta Symphony Savannah Philharmonic West Virginia Symphony Greenville Symphony Columbus Symphony Macon Symphony Virginia Opera Richmond Symphony and the Richmond Ballet and Opera. As a past music festival participant he has performed in venues across the United States and Europe ranging from the Aspen and Brevard Music Festivals to the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz Austria.
Mr. Sanchez received his Bachelor of Music degree in Applied Percussion from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY. As a student of professor emeritus John Beck he was nominated by the faculty for the prestigious Performer?s Certificate recognizing outstanding instrumental performance and musical achievement. Subsequent graduate studies continued at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra timpanist Paul Yancich.
Mr. Sanchez?s expansive interests include custom design and repair of timpani mallets sports cooking and playing golf. He has personally repaired mallets for principal members of the Dallas and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras. Mr. Sanchez hopes to one day play a round of golf at the illustrious Augusta National Golf Club in his home state of Georgia. Mr. Sanchez has proudly served on the University of Richmond faculty since fall of 2009.
