GABRIEL BALDERRAMA + SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL orchestras

Gabriel Balderrama (Mr. B) is a violinist, violist, electric bassist, conductor, composer and arranger for the past 19 years. Previously, Mr. B was the director of Lee Middle School in San Angelo, Texas where he led the orchestra to many distictions including: 2017 UIL Stage Superior Rating, 2017 Bluebonnet Classic Festival Superior Rating and Outstanding Performance, 2018 Bluebonnet Classic Superior Rating, 2019 UIL Sweepstakes, and 2019 Soundwaves Festival Superior Rating, Outstanding Performance, and Best in Class. He also served as the Vice President of the Concho Valley Youth Orchestra last year teaching students from grades 7-12.

Mr. B graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in the Fall of 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. He was a member and manager of the UTSA Orchestra, where he got the opportunity to perform in Venice, Florence and Rome, Italy in 2012 and with the rock band Kansas in 2011 at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He was also a member of the UTSA Opera Orchestra in 2011 and 2014 performing on electric bass in "Secret Garden" and violin in "The Mikado". 

Mr. B is apart of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and the American String Teachers Association where he stays up to date with teaching strategies for the orchestra to constantly perform at the highest levels.

In his freetime, Mr. B plays electric bass with the Freedom Praise Band. They have released two albums, "Free" and "In Need of a Savior", on various streaming services. The Freedom Praise Band has played at various venues around the San Antonio area and have been invited by Sam Ash Music to play at their "Longest Day" fundraiser event the past 4 years benefitting the research of a cure for Alzheimer's disease. He is also an avid fan of video games and basketball.