Elena Durán and Fernando Saint Martin

Week of February 22, 2025

Elena Durán grew up in Oakland, California and has enjoyed an international career, appearing as soloist with more than 50 orchestras all over the world, playing on a number of occasions for the Queen of England, HM King Charles as well as the President of Mexico. She has recorded a hit single with Paul McCartney and has made two albums with jazz great Stephane Grappelli. At various stages of her career, she has taught at University and Conservatory level including at Stanford University, the London College of Music, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Hartt School of Music. She has given masterclasses and courses all over the world and was the director of the Stratford International Flute Festival for twenty years and the Mexican Flute Festival at UNAM for five years in the nineties. She was named Mexico City’s Ambassador of Culture and Tourism, and with her personal outreach program FLAUTA SIN FRONTERAS, she has taken music to those who can’t attend concerts, especially those in prison and those who live along the US/Mexico Border. Elena is a passionate supporter of the Ranch’s Fundación La Puerta, bringing her programs to the local community.

 

Fernando Saint Martin is one of Mexico’s leading pianists. He studied at the Conservatorio Nacional de Mexico and also at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University, Montreal, where he was the winner of a number of prizes. As a pianist he has appeared with all the major Mexican Orchestras and in all the major Festivals as well as with many orchestras in the USA, Europe and South America. Fernando also served for a number of years as Director of Music, UNAM and as coordinator of the Cátedra Arturo Márquez. He is currently Professor of Piano at the Escuela Nacional de Música in Mexico, as well as enjoying a busy solo and conducting career.