On February 8th, Dr. José Valentino Ruiz, founding program coordinator and assistant professor of music business and entrepreneurship, received the following awards for his artistry as a concerto soloist, contemporary classical composer, and music video producer:

  1. Diamond Prize® for Concerto Soloist: Recognizing his performance as the concerto's featured soloist on C flute, tenor saxophonist, and bass guitarist in the "Found Connections" Concerto for Multi-Instrumentalist and Wind Symphony.
  2. Platinum Prize® for Composition: Awarded for his composition "Highland Serenade" for Solo Flute.
  3. Excellent Creativity Special Prize® for Video Production: Acknowledging his collaborative work on "Highland Serenade" under the direction of Denis Vasenin (D.M.A. in Guitar Performance with a cognate in Entrepreneurship), who also received this honor.