"Alfredo Rolando Ortiz is a superb harpist and exciting artist. His technical virtuosity is matched by his depth of musical expression. His performances feature strong vibrant rhythms, marvelous dynamic contrasts, stylistic verve, and profound sensitivity."
Susann McDonald, Head of the Harp Department, Juilliard School of Music, New York

Alfredo was born in Cuba. When he was eleven years old, he immigrated with his family to Venezuela where he began studying the Venezuelan folk harp with a friend from school. A year later he became a pupil of Alberto Romero on the Paraguayan harp. Just two years after his first harp lesson he began medical studies in Medellín, Colombia, began performing professionally and recorded his first album. Music supported his medical studies until graduation. For eight years he worked as a medical doctor as well as a harpist and recording artist until his wife, Luz Marina, became pregnant. In order to have time for his growing family, he then decided to dedicate his life only to them and to his first love: the harp.

He has lectured on a variety of subjects at universities, colleges and schools, is the author of several books and articles and his compositions have been performed and recorded by classical and folk harpists in many countries. His acclaimed "South American Suite for Harp and Orchestra" premiered March 3, 1996. Dr Ortiz was invited to perform his Suite at the World Harp Congress in Prague, Czech Republic, in 1999, having as audience over one thousand classical harpists from around the world.

Thanks to support from the California Arts Council, Plumas County Office of Education and individual school sites Alfredo Rolando Ortiz will provide an artist residency in Plumas County March 3rd to the 5th, visiting local elementary schools and providing this public performance.