Hernan D. Zapata
Hernan D. Zapata is an international multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. He serves as the founder, director, and instructor for Music For All Center.
Hernan is a native of Medellin, Colombia. His young career started when he played the guitar in musical a group he created Grupo Mensaje. His group’s main mission was to explore the art of harmonic choral music and popular music accompanied by guitars with non-profit expectations. This group performed in churches, jails, elderly homes, civic reunions, and schools.
Eventually, looking for a challenge, Hernan joined the Coral Bravo Marquez, a group of four harmonic voices with 30 members singing classical choral music such as Matona Mia Cara, Eco Mormola Londre, and other medieval tunes A-Capella. He was also a member of a choir of 500 singers who performed for the pope, Juan Paul II in Medellin, Colombia in 1984.
Later, Hernan received a scholarship to enter the Conservatorio de la Universidad de Antioquia to receive his first education in opera and classical music from a very well-known international tenor. Hernan learned and performed musical pieces including Nel Corpio Non Mi Sento, La Donna EMobile, Granada, Se Tu M’ami Se Sospirit, and Caro Mio Ben. Eventually, he traveled to the U.S.A. where he explored a monastic life with the Benedictines in Covington Louisiana, as well as at St. John Vianney College Seminary. In this seminary, he also had the pleasure of being part of the Catholic Mass that welcomed John Paul II in Miami in 1988.
Hernan continued his music education at Miami Dade College where he was re-discovered by Dr. Beverly Coulter, a music director who knew how to continue his education process. She exposed Hernan to the Floridian public to continue performing operas from the classical era. He started performing musical pieces from Mozart, such as Coronation Mass, Un Aura Amorosa, Amelia Goes to the Ball (where he played the role of the lover). Hernan also performed musical pieces from composers such as Giovanni Pergolesi, Agustin Lara, Carlo Menotti, and more.
Hernan, during his years in school away from his hometown and large family of 16 brothers and sisters, knew how to start his new life in the new land. He knows the exact meaning of the saying “home of the brave” (from the U.S.A. national anthem) because of his difficult times to be a full-time student while making a living without the financial support of a family. Hernan feels right at home when he is entertaining a group of people.
Some of his colleagues said: “Hernan is clearly a soloist singer”. Others said he is a great guitarist because he could play classical guitar, music from Spain and modern styles like from Otmar Libert or Santana in places like South Beach. Hernan’s dream is to perform at clubs nor even in churches, where he has already dedicated many years of his life; his dream is to teach and share his knowledge.
“There is nothing more rewarding than sharing my knowledge. Teaching fulfills my soul because it feels like being in many places at the same time. I am indirectly present where my students are making music. I work in what I love doing the most!”
Hernan D. Zapata
For this reason, Hernan decided to stop performing on stages and now prefers to be behind the curtains. He uses his talents, experiences, and education to give back to the community.
To achieve his dreams, Hernan established a corporation in order to use his talent in the fullest potential; Music For All, Inc. was born in 2002. He started to teach guitar, vocals, flute, piano, music theory, and bass guitar. While he teaches at Music For All, he continues to learn to play the violin, viola, cello, and harp from other instructors. He has trained (and continues to train) students that later become music teachers, music directors, and performers.
To read Hernan’s complete Curriculum Vitae, click here.
