Dr. Manuel Vasquez-Ramirez (He/Him)

Dr. Manuel Vásquez Ramírez is a saxophonist and educator originally from San José, Costa Rica, currently serving as lecturer of saxophone at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He recentlyreceived the degree of Doctor of Arts in Saxophone from Ball State University in Muncie, IN with Dr. Nathan Bogert. Previously, he obtained a Master of Music degree from Ball State University in 2020, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Costa  Rica in 2017. Dr. Vásquez is one of the few saxophonists in Latin America to pursue two advanced degrees in performance, and only the third from Central America to receive a doctorate in saxophone performance. He has performed in some of the most important saxophone conferences in Latin America and the United States such as the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference (2020, 2022), the Costa Rica SaxFest International (2018, 2016, 2014), the Latin American Saxophone Alliance Congress in Cali, Colombia (2017), as well as the Encuentro de Saxofonistas Universitarios in Mexico (2014). Additionally, Dr. Vásquez has also been a guest musician with several professional ensembles in this country: Heredia’s Symphonic Orchestra, the National Concert Band of San José, and Costa Rica’s National Big Band.