Violinist
Santiago is a dedicated violinist whose experience spans orchestras across Colombia and the United States. A significant point in his career was the opportunity to serve as Concertmaster and Soloist for the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira in Colombia (2021-2022). In the U.S., he performed at Carnegie Hall in 2024 with the Missouri State Symphony Orchestra. Santiago continues to contribute to the music scene, performing with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.
Some of Santiago’s memorable compositions include “Capricho Colombiano” (2022), a theme and variations that serves as a study of 11 Colombian rhythms and genres, also performed by him at the Ciudad de Manizales (CiMa) International Music Festival in Manizales, Colombia. “American Caprice,” premiered in 2025, a composition and investigation, which explores 14 American musical genres.
His compositional merit was formally acknowledged in 2025 when his work “La Noche de las Velitas” received an Honorable Mention in the Springfield Chamber Chorus Composition Contest.
Composer
Arranger & Transcriber
Santiago is a skilled Arranger and Transcriber known for his meticulous, detailed, and culturally varied adaptations. He handles all facets of score editing, excelling in projects ranging from detailed vocal and instrument transcriptions to full orchestral arrangements. A defining feature of his work is the adaptation of Colombian and Latin music for string ensembles, alongside the creation of unique classical music arrangements, works for beginning and intermediate-level string ensembles, modern song settings, and functional holiday music for various concert formats.
