Ricardo appears on Show 454.

Ricardo N. Lazaro (trumpet), 16, is from San Antonio, Texas, and is a self-taught trumpet player who learned to play primarily by watching YouTube performances of some of the world’s greatest trumpeters. Ricardo attends Town East Christian School in San Antonio, Texas – a school that unfortunately offers no music classes or programs. Developing his music community outside of school, Ricardo participates in several ensembles in San Antonio including the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (YOSA) Philharmonic, the YOSA Mariachi, and the San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble (SAYWE). He has been a YOSA Rising Star Fellow since 2022. Also in 2022, Ricardo received a merit award to attend the Interlochen Arts Camp, where he performed as principal trumpet in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra. More recently, Ricardo had the opportunity to take part in the 2023 Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) National Festival, under the direction of Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. As a student participant in The National Instrumentalist Mentoring Advancement Network (NIMAN), Ricardo was selected to play in a side-by-side concert with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, Ricardo was recognized by the S.E. Shires Company as one of its Rising Artists – a program created “to identify and develop extraordinarily talented young Artists in their pursuit of musical accomplishment.”

Ricardo has twice placed in the finals of the International Trumpet Guild’s Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition – Youth Division. He has also received Honors in instrumental solo competitions through the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) and the Texas Christian Athletic League (TCAL). Ricardo has appeared twice on national television while sounding “Taps”, most recently in honor of the fallen children at Robb Elementary in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting.

Ricardo is currently an Honor Roll student and ranks at the top of his 11th-grade class. He remains an active Boy Scout after having earned his Eagle Rank at the age of 12 and is on his way to becoming the most-decorated Scout in the 113-year history of the organization. Last May, Ricardo was named “Eagle Scout of the Year” for the State of Texas through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Receiving the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award will allow Ricardo to purchase the three trumpets required for professional studies and work. These instruments will greatly support his music education and will carry him through his studies and into the professional world.