Rubencito Toledo

I'm more than fortunate to have entered into this beautiful relationship with music from a very young age. I'll never forget that wind band concert at my church where they performed several movie themes, which led me to feel an enormous passion for this art form. At nine years old, I formally began taking my first percussion classes, but it wasn't until I was 13 that I took seriously my desire to learn to play a musical instrument: the guitar. Not a day went by without Mr. Rodríguez playing the guitar at school that I didn't want to emulate exactly the same thing. I started formal classes with Mr. Olivero and then began participating in all the church activities. I made my first attempts at composition without knowing how to read a musical staff; I only followed the reference sounds of the music notation program Mr. Pastrana had installed for me.

 

Then, at 17, thinking that my university life would take a different direction, on February 25th everything changed. My father, along with a group of friends in the living room of our little house, told me: "Give yourself the opportunity to study music." This phrase was followed by a beautiful explanation of why I should do it. Without hesitation, I affirmed that I would do it and followed the advice of him, my beautiful mother, and my other friends.

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At 18, I entered the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, where I earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music Education with a concentration in General Music with Summa Cum Laude average. I also completed a research project focused on classroom practices and strategies in specialized music schools. Among the academic opportunities offered by the Conservatory, I was also able to prepare myself in other very important skills such as composition, musical arrangements, technology, recording, production, and even Alexander Technique.

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At 25, I began working at the Puerto Rico Department of Education, specifically at the most prestigious specialized music school in Puerto Rico and the entire Caribbean: the Escuela Libre de Música de San Juan. This educational center has received recognition and awards throughout its existence for more than 75 years, and it has been an honor for me to have served for more than 13 years as a professor of Harmony, Composition, and Music Fundamentals, Concert Band Director, and Director of the Cuatro and Guitar Ensemble, among other courses. Additionally, I have participated in the creation of courses as well as in the direction of work committees, as president of the School Council, on negotiation and work committees with several agency secretaries, and in the organization and logistics of various artistic events.

 

This has led me to have the opportunity to share and collaborate with great producers and artists, such as Luis Fonsi, Tommy Torres, Kany García, Andy Montañez, Pirulo, Giselle Blondet, Carlos Vives, Eduardo Cabra, Ángel "Cucco" Peña, Marcos Sánchez, Alberto Carrión, and Miguel Zenón, among others. Thanks to these experiences, life has given me the opportunity to share with other artists, companies, and projects outside of school, which have filled me with wonderful experiences, such as Alexandra Fuentes, Roselyn Sánchez, Ediciones Santillana, Mitsubishi Puerto Rico, among many others.

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During my teaching career, I had the opportunity to work at the university level at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. Within the Musical Arts program, I participated in the creation of courses and also taught courses such as Musical Harmony, Piano, and Thesis Project. There, I shared a very pleasant space with many of my former students for five years within the Musical Arts program. We managed to develop this program and receive praise from the producers and even the cast of the film The Greatest Showman. I also participated in workshops with renowned actor and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as other local artists. I was even part of the musical theater program that took both students and teachers to train directly in New York City under the tutelage of Disney Broadway actors and producers.

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Within this summary, it's almost impossible for me to list each and every one of the activities, experiences, opportunities, and even awards I've had the honor of being a part of. I'm currently working for this beautiful project called Rubencito's Music Services. Seeing the need and interest of so many who yearn to integrate music into their lives, whether through learning to play an instrument, singing, or creating music for their own projects, I see this initiative as the perfect opportunity to help all of them make that dream a reality.