Victor Fernandez

Victor Fernandez – Pedagogue, Clinician, Consultant, Speaker, Performer

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Victor Fernandez came to the United States in 1995. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance, a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, magna cum laude, a Master’s degree in Music Education from Florida State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from American College of Education. He previously served as orchestra director at Leon High School and Raa Middle School, conductor for the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra program, orchestra director at Booker Middle School, conductor of the Sarasota Youth Symphony Orchestra, orchestra director at The Conservatory School at North Palm Beach, and music director at Beacon Cove Intermediate.

He has served and been actively involved with the Florida Music Education Association board and the Florida Orchestra Association board as district chairperson and All-State orchestra coordinator. In 2012, Mr. Fernandez was honored with being selected as Sarasota County’s Teacher of the Year. In 2016, he was honored with being selected as Palm Beach County’s Hispanic Teacher of the Year by the Palm Beach Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2017, he was honored with being selected as a Dwyer Award winner for Palm Beach County Schools. In December of 2020, he was chosen as the Palm Beach Symphony’s Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year. Most recently, Mr. Fernandez has been chosen as Beacon Cove’s Teacher Of the Year, North Regions’ Teacher Of the Year and North regional Finalist for Palm Beach County School’s District-wide Teacher Of the Year award (October, 2021).

He is an active performer on violin and viola, frequently serving as guest conductor and clinician for All-County orchestra events throughout the state of Florida. In addition to being an active performer, Mr. Fernandez has contributed a number of teaching articles to the Florida Music Director magazine.

Profoundly influenced by Venezuela’s El Sistema philosophy and the teachings of the former Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu, Mr. Fernandez is an ardent supporter of the arts. As a community organizer, Mr. Fernandez spearheaded the relaunch of All-County Orchestra with his colleagues after a 40 year hiatus, giving hundreds of students across Palm Beach County rich performing and growth opportunities. In order to support and enrich student lives, Mr. Fernandez has built strong community partnerships with the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, the Palm Beach Symphony, Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, and others. Through the wonderful outreach work of CMSPB, Mr. Fernandez and his middle school orchestra has performed for the Escher Quartet, the Miro Quartet, the Dover Quartet, the Harlem Quartet, The Ehnes Quartet, PMP Alumn, the Hermes Quartet, Ms. Jennifer Koh, Mr. Arnaud Sussmann, Mr. Colin Carr, Ms. Carol Wincenc, Mr. Orion Weiss, Mr. Clive Greensmith, Ms. Cynthia Phelps, Mrs. Toby Perlman and Mr. Itzhak Perlman. In the Fall of 2021, Mr. Fernandez founded the North Palm Youth Symphony. The organization began as a single high school orchestra with 28 students. Today, it has grown into a large organization with six orchestras serving over 120 students from kindergarten through high school and beyond. Students are not just learning music; they are growing as artists, developing critical life skills, and building lifelong friendships in a rich, supportive, and positive environment.

This organization was launched with the intention of meeting the musical and educational needs of string students in Palm Beach County who have no place to play in their schools.

Currently, Mr. Fernandez serves as executive and artistic director of the North Palm Youth Symphony. He performs, conducts and teaches actively, serving as a strong advocate for music education while creating arts access and performance opportunities for students. Mr. Fernandez lives in Palm Beach County, Florida where he lives with his wife and three young children.