Biography
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Juan was born and educated on the Isle of Man and went on to study at Salford University, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Band Musicianship in 2000. During his time at Salford he successfully gained a diploma and performed with all of the university's four main ensembles, with whom he toured several locations - most notably Brazil. He has also recorded a number of CDs, made several radio broadcasts for the BBC, performed as a featured soloist and given a number of world premieres. Furthermore Juan performed in the orchestra for many of the university’s theatre company productions. Another highlight of his time at Salford was taking part in trombone masterclasses given by Denis Wick and Chris Houlding.
Within his university studies he studied various subjects including brass band scoring and arranging with Professor Peter Graham, performance with Andrew Berryman and Professor David King and arts administration with Concert Manager Duncan Winfield, all of which he studied as major options for his degree. This culminated in him giving public recitals, presenting a portfolio of his brass compositions and arrangements as well as working as an Administrator for the National Association of Brass Band Conductors Annual Convention 2000 in Wigan.
He also worked in association with Yamaha and the charity Action Research in promoting a Youth Music Entertainment Competition and giving instrumental demonstrations to encourage young people to learn to play a brass instrument. He was subsequently selected to attend a placement at Manchester's European Opera offices, which gave him an insight into the workings of an opera company.
Outside of the university he has performed with a wide variety of ensembles including the Hawk Green Marple Band, United Co-op Milnrow Band (both as solo trombonist) and the Blazevich Trombone Quartet. He has occasionally deputised for a number of ensembles including: Glossop Old, Stalybridge Old and Wingates brass bands and the Salford Symphony Orchestra. Along with his experience as a performer, he has coached young brass players from the Cheshire Youth Brass Band and Rochdale Youth Big Band.
Juan returned to the Isle of Man in July 2001, having done some varied freelance work as a musician and as a Residential Social Worker in the UK. Since his return, he has devoted a great deal of time to music on the Island performing with a wide variety of ensembles including The Brass Machine (IOM), Manx Concert Brass and the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra with whom he gave the Island premiere of the Albrechtsberger Alto Trombone Concerto in July 2012. A regular competitor in the Manx Music Festival he has won the George Ridgeway Trophy for the best brass soloist (2002) and the open brass solo class in 2016 and 2022. As a conductor he directed several ensembles to success in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He was appointed the conductor of the Onchan Silver Band in 2002 completing three successful years with the band. In 2009 he gained a Certificate of Instrumental Teaching from the (ABRSM). He followed this up with a Certificate in Education which he completed through University College Isle of Man and Chester University in July 2015. April 2016 saw Juan achieve Qualified Teacher & Learning Skills (QTLS) Status and become a member of the Society for Education and Training (MSET).
He now works for the DESC Music Service as Head of Brass & Percussion and directs the Manx Youth Wind Orchestra. He continues to teach a limited number of brass students privately and has worked with the Isle of Man Wind Orchestra as Deputy Conductor and recently stepped in as interim conductor with the Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band. Prior to joining the music service he worked in several of the Island’s secondary schools and taught brass at both the Buchan School and King William's College; Outside of education he completed a year as Manager of the Erin Arts Centre, also administrating for the Latour de France Festival, in the South of France, the Mananan Festival of Music and the Arts and the Isle of Man Arts Council Guitar Festival both held in Port Erin. During his time at the EAC he formed a brass quintet attracting several eminent musicians including: Gordon Higginbottom, Raymond Leppard, Howard Snell and Roger Steptoe to each write works for this ensemble, dedicated to him.