Biography

Rafael Ruiz has established himself as “one of the most important Brazilian pianists of his generation” (Jornal Estado de Minas, 2018). Winner of the special prize “Hors Concours” in the XXV Souza Lima National Piano Competition, he has won numerous other prizes, including the ‘Antena 2’ Prize, during the XXII Obidos International Piano Masterclasses & Festival, in Portugal; and first prize at the I Federal University of Rio de Janeiro National Piano Competition.

    Rafael was an ABRSM Scholarship recipient at the Royal College of Music, in London, where he completed the Master of Music in Performance with Distinction. In 2020, he was awarded the David Young Piano Prize supported by the Margaret Mount Scholarship, to continue his studies in the same institution. He obtained the Artist Diploma under the guidance of professors Ian Jones, Dmitri Alexeev, Sofya Gulyak and Dorian Leljak. Rafael holds a Bachelor of Music with distinction from the Rio de Janeiro Federal University, where he studied with professor Luiz Senise. He has participated in masterclasses led by pianists including Paul Badura-Skoda, Nikolai Lugansky, Boris Berman, Josep Colom, Björn Lehmann, amongst others.

     Rafael Ruiz has given recitals broadcast live by the Brazilian MEC FM radio station, the Portuguese radio station Antena 2, and he has recorded for several Brazilian TV programmes. He has performed as a soloist with several orchestras, such as Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, Minas Gerais Symphony Orchestra, UFRJ Symphony Orchestra, Stockport Symphony Orchestra, St. John’s Chamber Orchestra and Royal College of Music Ensemble.