Fernando Hernandez

Fernando is a Mexico City native and classically trained pianist and composer. He studied piano with Nestor Castañeda and Humberto Hernández Medrano, and explored harmony, counterpoint, orchestral analysis, fugue, and 20th-century composition. After performing with the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México, Fernando moved to New York City in 1987, continuing his studies with Richie Beirach, Rufus Reid, and Ron McClure. Since then, he has built a distinguished career as a professional musician, performing as a sideman and musical director, composing for film, orchestras, and theater, and arranging for a wide variety of ensembles.
Fernando has been a part of Sound Collective since before it was Sound Collective, beginning his teaching at The Collective in 1989. Over the years, he has also taught at The Hewitt School in NYC from 1998 to 2007, in addition to offering private instruction to students ranging from beginners to professional musicians. His teaching combines classical rigor with real-world experience, helping students develop both technical mastery and musical expression.