Hector Guzman

Maestro Hector Guzman is regarded as one of the most respected and admired conductors in this country and abroad. He is Music Director of the Plano, Irving, San Angelo and Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestras in the United States as well as Conductor Emeritus of the Jalisco Philharmonic in Mexico. He has been guest conductor of an array of prestigious ensembles: Mexico: National Symphony, Mexico City Philharmonic, UNAM Philharmonic, Xalapa Symphony, Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra, Vivaldi Orchestra of Mexico City, and State of Mexico Symphony. United States: the Dallas, San Antonio, Wheeling, Phoenix and Tulsa Symphony Orchestras, the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra and the Chicago Sinfonietta. Dominican Republic: National Symphony. Czech Republic: Collegium Orchestra of Prague. Poland: Rszezow Philharmonic. Japan: Japan Philharmonic. South Korea: Masan Philharmonic, and Gangsam Symphony. Vietnam: Opera and Ballet orchestra of Ho Chi Minh. Italy: Amadeus Orchestra, Sinfonia Venetto, Milano Classica Orchestra, Bari Symphony, San Remo Symphony, and Pomeriggi Musicale Orchestra of Milan. Spain: Sinfónica de Murcia, Joven Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, and Excelentia Orchestra. Germany: Herzer Orchester, Bulgaria: Vratsa Symphony, Panamá: National Symphony, Guatemala: Festival Orchestra, among many others. From 2022 to 2024, Maestro Guzman was “Artist in residence” of the prestigious Madrid Soloists Orchestra in Spain.

In addition to a spectacular career as a conductor, he continues to enjoy international success as a concert organist, performing in venues such as the Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas, the Spivey Hall Distinguished Artist Series in Atlanta, the Olivet Nazarene recital series in Illinois, the cathedrals of Morelia, Guadalajara (Mexico) and Chartres (France), the Conservatory of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria and the International Music Festivals in Toledo, Spain and Zamora, Mexico. Maestro Guzman holds degrees from the Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, the University of North Texas, and Southern Methodist University. His teachers include his mentor Anshel Brusilow, former concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra and former music director of the Dallas Symphony, as well as internationally renowned conductors Helmuth Rilling (University of Oregon) and Carlo Maria Giulini (Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy). He was also a protégé of the late Maestro Eduardo Mata, music director of the Dallas Symphony. In his native Mexico, Hector Guzman achieved an impressive reputation as an organist, under Prof. Victor Urban, by taking first prize in the “Chamber Soloists” and the “Manuel M. Ponce” national organ competitions. In the United States, while a student of world-famous master teachers Dr. Robert Anderson and Alfred Mouledous, he earned further distinction by winning solo competitions at Southern Methodist University, the University of North Texas, as well as gaining world acclaim when he became the first Latin-American ever chosen as a finalist in the “Grand Prix de Chartres,” the world’s most prestigious international organ competition celebrated in France. He is the recipient of the “Mozart Medal”, Mexico’s highest musical honor, presented by the embassy of Austria, and the “Distinguished Mexican Award” given by the government of Mexico. In 2023, Maestro Guzman was recognized as North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) “Distinguished Performing Artist”, was the recipient of “For the Love of Arts” ‘Legacy Award’ and received on behalf of the Plano Symphony Orchestra, the prestigious “Obelisk award” as “Outstanding Cultural organization” from the North Texas Business Council for the Arts. In 2024, Maestro Guzman was appointed “resident organist” at the National Auditorium in Mexico City, home of the largest pipe organ in Latin America, solidifying his place as one of the most sought-after musicians in the international scene today.