Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Ismael Vitriago started his musical career in El Sistema in 2002 when he became a member of the Caracas Youth Orchestra and Simon Bolivar Symphony Band. He studied at the Simon Bolivar Conservatory and the National University of Arts where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education.

Ismael has worked with the Venezuela National Philharmonic Orchestra, Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, and the Caracas Municipal Symphony Orchestra. He taught in El Sistema Venezuela for almost 10 years. In 2016, Ismael founded a bassoon ensemble named “Los Fagotes” which presented music of all genres in public spaces, bringing the bassoon to a wider audience.

Since September 2019, Ismael Vitriago has been the bassoon teaching artist at the Sistema NB Moncton Centre. He also coaches the Moncton Youth Orchestra and the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra bassoon sections.

ISMAEL VITRIAGO and BVBD –

We know Ismael through his many wonderful El Sistema NB students who have attended BVBD thanks to the Paul Buttemer Scholarship Fund.

And Jo Ann Simpson was the founding bassoonist of the Caracas Municipal Symphony Orchestra in Venezuela. She was principal bassoon of the OSMC from 1979 to 1986.