About Me
Artist Bio:
Born in Sylmar, Ca, December 29 1989, The San Fernando Valley Area, Los Angeles into a Family of immigrants from central and south america. He was always around all kinds of music in especially, world music and improvisation based. At age 12, Started to be involved in music as a career for the future and ever since then he has strived to be the best in what he does, play the flute in all aspects of music and be in the overall process as a musician; perform, compose, arrange, educate, produce, among other skills. He took the challenge of taking up flute and be able to revolutionize it overall. He started music as a classically trained musician and then expanded after that to different realms of music. Being immensely and widely diverse, His focus ever since starting jazz and improvisation has been to make the flute more widely respected and known. His main focus as an artist is to be a complete musician no matter what style or genre he may be set upon. He has been a part of several ensembles since starting his musical career being in Concert Bands, Honors Ensembles, Marching Bands, Chamber Ensembles, Wind Symphonies, Symphony Orchestras, Jazz Bands, Jazz Combos, Choirs, Contemporary/Fusion Bands, Church Ensembles, Latin and World Music Ensembles; Mariachi Bands, Folklore Ensembles, Salsa Bands, Latin Jazz Ensembles, Norteño/Banda Ensembles, Ensembles of all sizes as well as solo unaccompanied. He has a great love and passion for music so he plays it all in every context which is always a challenge and learning process. The basis of his experience, is to never stop learning and developing as an Artist, in which progressing and finding a way to go to deeper levels is fundamental in context and through his artcraft; Music.
He has performed and has had musical instruction with World Renowned Artists of all genres/styles.
Artists Taught by:
Artists Rafael has either Performed, Recorded, and or Collaborated with, (Grammy Award Winners, International and Industry professionals):
Born in Sylmar, Ca, December 29 1989, The San Fernando Valley Area, Los Angeles into a Family of immigrants from central and south america. He was always around all kinds of music in especially, world music and improvisation based. At age 12, Started to be involved in music as a career for the future and ever since then he has strived to be the best in what he does, play the flute in all aspects of music and be in the overall process as a musician; perform, compose, arrange, educate, produce, among other skills. He took the challenge of taking up flute and be able to revolutionize it overall. He started music as a classically trained musician and then expanded after that to different realms of music. Being immensely and widely diverse, His focus ever since starting jazz and improvisation has been to make the flute more widely respected and known. His main focus as an artist is to be a complete musician no matter what style or genre he may be set upon. He has been a part of several ensembles since starting his musical career being in Concert Bands, Honors Ensembles, Marching Bands, Chamber Ensembles, Wind Symphonies, Symphony Orchestras, Jazz Bands, Jazz Combos, Choirs, Contemporary/Fusion Bands, Church Ensembles, Latin and World Music Ensembles; Mariachi Bands, Folklore Ensembles, Salsa Bands, Latin Jazz Ensembles, Norteño/Banda Ensembles, Ensembles of all sizes as well as solo unaccompanied. He has a great love and passion for music so he plays it all in every context which is always a challenge and learning process. The basis of his experience, is to never stop learning and developing as an Artist, in which progressing and finding a way to go to deeper levels is fundamental in context and through his artcraft; Music.
He has performed and has had musical instruction with World Renowned Artists of all genres/styles.
Artists Taught by:
- Catherine Barron (Flute)
- Matthew Krejci (Flute), Principal Flutist of Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, and Chamber Music Society of Sacramento
- Caryl Mae Scott (Flute), Former Principal Flutist of Stockton Symphony, Studied under Julius Baker, and Jean Pierre Rampal (Legendary Flutists)
- Paul Novros (Jazz + Improvisation, Composition)
- Art Holton (Music Education, Conducting, Woodwind Specialization)
- Phil O’Connor (Pedagogy, Mentorship, Performance)
- Larry Koonse (Jazz Improvisation)
- David Roitstein (Mentorship)
- Steve Lehman (Performance, Composition)
- Aashish Khan (North Indian Classical Music, Bansuri, Improvisation, Composition, Performance)
- Eyvind Kang (Musicology, Composition, Performance and Pedagogy)
- Andrew Grueschow (African Music and Dance, Pedagogy, Performance)
- Art Lande (Mentorship, Improvisation, Pedagogy)
- Brian Kendrick (Jazz Band and Combo Director, Mentorship)
- Aaron Garner (Music Theory, Jazz Theory and Improvisation)
- MJ Wamhoff (College Dean)
- David Rosenboom (CalArts Dean)
Artists Rafael has either Performed, Recorded, and or Collaborated with, (Grammy Award Winners, International and Industry professionals):
- Paul Novros
- Brian Schlegel
- Art Holton
- Phil O’Connor
- Mike Vax
- Bob McChesney
- Scott Colley
- Kenny Werner
- Antonio Sanchez
- Sal Lozano
- David Sanchez
- Eric Marienthal
- Andy Martin
- Rick Shaw
- Gordon Goodwin
- Gilbert Castellanos
- Bob Mintzer
- Charles McNeal
- Mic Gillette
- Wynton Marsalis
- Sulley Imoro
- Victor Nani Agbeli
- David Roitstein
- Larry Koonse
- Joe LaBarbera
- Houman Pourmehdi
- Michael Pisaro
- Darek Oles
- Andrew McIntosh
- Steve Lehman
- Ulrich Krieger
- Aashish Khan
- Eyvind Kang
- Alphonso Johnson
- David Johnson
- Andrew Grueschow
- Vinny Golia
- Randy Gloss
- John Fumo
- Swapan Chaudhuri
- Pirayeh Pourafar
- Chad Lefkowitz-Brown
- Zach Brown
- Javier Santiago
- Lucas Pino
- Brian Chahley
- Colin Stranahan
- Jonathan Kreisberg
- Kudsi Erguner
- Art Lande
- Bobby Bradford
- Edwin Livingston
- Michael Skloff
- John Baffa
- Matthew Baer
- Mark Ferber
- Heitor Pereira
- Chris Garcia
EXPERIENCE / SKILLS:
- Proficient in Computer technology
- Fluent in Spanish
- Knowledgeable with Music Notation software
- Sound Engineering
- Logic software
- Adobe Photoshop
- GarageBand software
- Video and Audio Editing
- Problem solving
- Copywriting
- Data Analysis
- Accounting
- Planning/Event planning
- Bookkeeping
- Proficient in Creativity
- Teamwork
- Self-motivation
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Time management
- Communication
- Ability to work under pressure
- Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office including; Excel and Powerpoint, Social Media and Promotional Marketing
- Flexible
- Responsible
- Organized
- Efficient
- Detail-oriented
- Multitasking
- Internet Savvy
- Music Education
- Music composition
- Music arranging
- Sound design
- Pedagogy
- Counseling
- Psychology
- Music Performance
- Production
- Administration
- Fluent language translator
- Management
- Knowledgeable in Education
- Specialized in Flute performance
- Tutoring and Guidance
AWARDS / RECOGNITION:
- NAMM “BELIEVE IN MUSIC WEEK”- for Musescore; Education Ambassador (2021)
- Got Music Talent - Music Magazine, Artist Interview, Promo, EPK and PR (2021)
- Got Music Talent - Music Magazine - Spotify Playlist placement for "Best of 2021", "Wave" from my album "Vortex" (2021)
- Luxembourg Art Prize Certificate (2020)
- Part-time Applicant POOL for Neighborhood Music School (2020)
- Part-time Applicant POOL for the Performing Arts department, LONG BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (2020)
- Musescore Education Ambassador (2019)
- VoyageLA Magazine; Featured Artist (2019)
- Art at the Rendon: Rhythms of the City-“A love Song to Los Angeles” Participation and Performance with “The Raf Collective” (2019)
- ICARO Film Festival in Guatemala,Screening; Friday,September 27th, 6pm (2019)
- Performed/Workshopped for Various Courses at Calarts in Music dept (2014-Present)
- Audition for 2nd round placement for Turku Philharmonic Orchestra in Finland (2019) (Participant)
- Tripod Boom, EP Album (Trio- Rafael Luna, Tamir Kedem, Cedar Lange), Self produced music, Recorded by Alberto Cruz, Mixed and Mastered by Bradley Butterworth, and Grammy Award winning engineer; John Baffa (2019)
- Alumnx Council Seed Grant awarded (2019)
- LA Workshop and Performance of Son Jarocho music at 3 schools (PUC school; Highland Park, Aspire Antonio Maria Lugo Academy; Huntington Park, Calarts; Valencia) with visiting guest artist “Lucerio Farias” (March 20, and 21, 2019), Also served as a Translator/Interpreter.
- “A Shift in Color” (Duo- Rafael Luna and Jason Oberman) Album Endorsement by David Rosenboom (Grant), and David Roitstein (Endorser) (2019)
- Calarts Expo 2019, Accepted, “The Art of Practice” by Rafael Luna (Performance) + other collaborations
- Lilac Atassi Spring 2019 Composition Recital - Credit for Title of a piece, “Still, Observant, but lurking”- Calarts Roy O.Disney concert hall.
- Latin Arts Festival 2019 ( Production, Alumni Artist, Advertising, Budget and Finance committee) (Calarts 2019)
- Calarts Musical Production 2019 - Performer(Flutist “We Are Here” by Socks Whitmore & Evan Johnson
- The NAMM Show 2019 - D’Addario & Company,INC - Exhibitor Artist
- Calarts New Works; Theater Production- Performer- “String of Butterflies” 2018
- Calarts Expo 2018 : Collaboration with Josephine Wang: “Spectrum”, Collaboration with Brandon Chang “Captain Planet”
- Calarts Student Union: “A Celebration to Graduates” Saturday April 28th, 2018 at Thymele Arts - Music Submission, “Omission” and “Routes” © rafaellunamusic
- Calarts Graduation Recital MFA The Journey, “A Calarts Story” Rafael Luna (2018) Multimedia Production
- Latin American Arts Festival 2018 (Production, Curation, Artist, Budget and Finance committee) (Calarts 2018)
- Mentioned with Musical Chairs (2018) - Profile link: https://www.musicalchairs.info/musicians/8924
- School for Improvisational Music NYC Intensive Workshop (2017, Accepted)
- Yale University’s Literary and Art Magazine “Palimpsest” (2017 Participation), 2 original works
- LA Opera Masterclass (2017, Accepted)
- European American Musical Alliance Summer Institute, Paris, France, (2017 Accepted)
- 24th Jeunesses International FLUTE Competition Dinu Lipatti, Bucharest, Romania, (2017, Accepted)
- Calarts Digital Arts Expo (2017 participation), 2 original works accepted(“The Fountain of Knowledge” and “Surrealism”)
- Calarts Expo (2016 participation), Collaboration with Alberto Cruz, “Ball Pit”
- Christ Lutheran Church in Valencia,Ca, Instrumentalist (Fall 2016- Summer 2017)
- Calarts Masters program; Provost’s Merit Scholarship, Richard Seaver Scholarship, Calarts Grant, Calarts Supplemental Grant (Fall 2016-Spring 2018)
- Calarts Mid Residency Recital MFA “The Journey” Rafael Luna (2016)
- Calarts Masters Program Acceptance (Fall 2016)
- Calarts BFA Graduation Ceremony (Spring 2016)
- Capitol Records Studio A Recording Studios (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- Calarts Jazz Album performance participation (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- Performed in the Calarts World Music Festival (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
- Performed at the Troubadour in North Hollywood, Los Angeles (2015)
- Calarts Soccer Club President (Fall 2015-Fall 2017)
- Calarts Honor Roll - 3.0-3.99 GPA, (2014-2015), (2015-2016), (2016-2017), (2017-2018)
- Calarts Graduation Recital BFA “The Journey” Rafael Luna ( 2015)
- Performance Recording in Culver City, LA, at Sony Pictures Entertainment (2014, 2015)
- Calarts New Works: Theater Productions (Composer/Performer- “Familia Elefante” 2014- Composer - “Familia Elefante” 2015, Composer- “Cancion de Quetzal” 2016)
- Performed in the Royal Disney Concert Hall(ROD) and Wild Beast at Calarts (2014-present)
- Calarts Grant (Fall 2014-Spring 2016)
- Herklotz Scholarship, Dale Melbourne for Calarts (Fall 2014-Spring 2016)
- Cal Grant A and B (Fall 2014-Spring 2016)
- Accepted to Calarts, BFA Program (California Institute of the Arts) (Fall 2014)
- Knights of Columbus 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree Member (2013-present)
- Performed at Carnegie Hall at the International Music Festival (2008, 2010, 2012)
- Full Music Scholarship, Delta College (2008)
- CMEA Honor Symphonic Wind Band and Symphony Orchestra (2008)
- Semper Fi Outstanding Musician Award (2008)
- Outstanding High School Senior Band Award (2008)
- Pit Orchestra Award (2007)
- Outstanding High School Junior Band Award (2007)
- Orchestra Award (2006-2007)
- Outstanding High School Sophomore Band Award (2006)
- Band Award (2005-2008)
- SAT Certificate of Achievement (2005-2008)
- Outstanding High School Freshmen Band Award (2005)
- Performed at Disneyland Resort/California Adventure, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band All Stars, Jazz Combo All Stars in Los Angeles (2004-2008)
- Recorded at Disneyland Resort, Disneyland recording studios, Main studio, Symphonic Wind Orchestra in Los Angeles (2004-2008)
- Outstanding Citizen award in Middle School (2004)
- Honor Band Award (2003-2008)
- Jazz Award (2003-2008)
- Soloist Award (2003-2008)
- 1st Chair Honor Band (2003-2008)
- Lincoln High School Honor Roll - 3.0-3.99 GPA (2002-2008)
| rafael_luna__resume_2021_.pdf |
| rafael_luna__cv_2021_.pdf |
| teaching_philosophy_-_rafael_luna.pdf |
| rafael_luna_-_diversity_statement.pdf |
| raf-_statement_of_research_and_scholarly_activity_and_interests.pdf |
| music_and_professional_references-_rafael_luna.pdf |