Hometown:
Park City, Utah
Education:
New England Conservatory, Master of Music, 2025
University of Utah, Bachelor of Music, 2023
Bio:
Jordan Fajardo-Bird is a percussionist who is currently based in Boston, MA. Jordan completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah, studying with Dr. Mike Sammons and Keith Carrick. Jordan is currently pursuing a masters in music at New England Conservatory, studying with Tim Genis, principal timpanist at Boston Symphony Orchestra. Jordan has performed with the Salt Lake Symphony, Utah Chamber Artists, and Salt Lake Choral Artists. He also attended Eastern Music Festival in the summers of 2022 and 2023.
What inspired you to become a musician?
My dad always listened to a lot of jazz and classical music, and he was a huge inspiration. He gave me a guitar for Christmas when I was 6, and then got me into piano when I was 8. It made starting band in 5th grade that much easier.
Who are your all-time favorite composers and/or pieces? Why?
Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky. I love Russian classical music, and all of these composers wrote fantastic percussion parts that are so much fun to play.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
Some percussion instruments are very unique in that the musician does not touch the instrument themselves to produce a sound.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I enjoy hiking, working out, and spending time with my friends.
Why did you choose the NRO?
I chose to participate in the NRO because it explores so much repertoire from the masterwork’s series. I’m excited to hear so many percussion audition excerpts in the context of a full orchestra.