
Cruz Cabrera
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1958, he began his musical training
at a very early age at the José Reyna Music School, where he
studied theory and music theory, musical dictation, and classical
guitar. Later, he continued his studies at the Lino Gallardo Music
School, attending classes in harmony, counterpoint, and music
history with Professor Violeta Lares and Professors Francisco
Rodrigo and Salvador Toro Moya. He took a course in harmonic
analysis taught by guest maestro Antonio Mastrogiovanni at the
Juan José Landaeta School.
He continued his musical studies at the José Ángel Lamas
School of Music, studying choral conducting with Professor Belén
Ojeda and classical guitar with Professor José Gregorio Guánchez.
He completed his studies in counterpoint, fugue, and composition
under the direction of Venezuelan maestro Miguel Astor, and
earned his Composer's Diploma in 2018.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Metallurgy and
Materials Science (IVIC, 1989) and a Bachelor of Science
degree in Physics from the Central University of Venezuela
(1983). A physicist by training and a musician by vocation, he has
over three decades of professional experience in scientific
research, university teaching, technical management, and
choral conducting. His career combines the rigor of science with the
sensitivity of art and choral music.
He participated in various choral and symphonic development
workshops, from 1973 until 2018, including the International
Workshop "Conductors Without Borders" (2018), the
Symphonic-Choral Conducting Workshop with Maestro Ángel
Monroy (2017), and the Vinicio Adames National Choral Festivals
(1994), which included courses in analysis, phenomenology, and
Renaissance music.
He served as assistant director of the Texas System Children's
Choir (2023) and as an active member of the Rafael Suárez
Polyphonic Choir (1974–2022) as string leader, instrumentalist,
assistant director, and conductor. The latter was founded by his
mother, María Colón de Cabrera († 2021), who during her lifetime
was the Vinicio Adames National Music Prize winner (CONAC-
Venezuela) in 1993.
During his artistic development, he actively participated in various
national and international musical productions, festivals, and choral
competitions, where on several occasions the Rafael Suárez
Polyphonic Choir honored Venezuela by being chosen as the
winning choir. His career in the musical field has been linked to
teaching and training in choral practice, as well as as an assistant
conductor in productions of symphonic-choral works and operas,
such as Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, J. S. Bach's St. Matthew
Passion, Handel's Messiah, and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony,
among others.
In the professional and scientific fields, he most recently held
the position of Calibration Technician at Allometrics, LLC,
Houston, Texas (2024–2025). He continues to provide technical
advisory services to the International Relations Department of
Keystone C.A. in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, where he held the
position of Technical Manager (2019–2023). During his
extensive professional career, he has served as Quality
Management Manager at El Pinoso Fabril C.A. (2007–2010),
Technical Manager at Ultrafluids Corp. S.A. (2003–2007),
Professor of Physics and Mathematics at the Faculty of
Pharmacy of the Central University of Venezuela, Head of the
Thermometry Laboratory at SENCAMER, Lubrication Specialist
at PDVSA-INTEVEP, and Head of the Thermal Studies Section
at ALCASA.
He currently serves as Musical Director of the Houston Hispanic
Choir (2023–2025). His professional career reflects a solid
scientific background combined with a passion for choral music,
which has allowed him to conduct, train, and create in artistic
and academic settings both in Venezuela and internationally,
and most recently in the United States. He defines himself as a
versatile professional with proven leadership, strong management
skills, and a deep calling for artistic and human excellence.