Biography
Vivian Ortega is an award-winning vocalist, songwriter, producer, musician, and educator.
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She is an accomplished bilingual artist recognized for her musical versatility and interpretation across genres in English and Spanish, with a focus on performing, writing, and producing music that connects, uplifts, and inspires. Vivian has impacted audiences and garnered respect and praise for her artistry, musicianship, and improvisational skills as an artist and background vocalist across the jazz, latin, and contemporary genres.
Although born a gifted visual artist, Vivian pursued her passion for music and earned a BM and MM degree in Studio Music & Jazz Vocal Performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. For her graduate studies, she was awarded a full scholarship and teaching assistantship, was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, and throughout her time at UM, earned five DownBeat awards.
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Vivian began her musical career as a musician in the United States Army where she honorably served for eight years as a vocalist, percussionist, and keyboardist in the Florida Army National Guard band. She performed throughout the state for various community events and official functions, and also provided support for Hurricane Relief efforts and other emergency activations. In her eight years of military service, she reached the rank of Staff Sergeant, and earned numerous awards and honors including Unit Soldier of the Year.
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Throughout the years, Vivian has performed and/or recorded background vocals with some of the top names in the music industry, including Juan Gabriel, José José, Juanes, Carlos Vives, Cristian Castro, Luis Fonsi, José Feliciano, Álvaro Torres, Myriam Hernández, Alejandra Guzmán, Julieta Venegas, Jon Secada, Gloria Estefan, Rudy Pérez, Desmond Child, Dionne Warwick, Rita Moreno, Patti Austin, Dave Grusin, Bruce Hornsby, Carmen Bradford, Kevin Mahogany, Claudia Acuña, Eliane Elias, and many more. She has toured internationally and performed on worldwide television specials and award shows like the Billboard Latin Music Awards and the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame La Musa Awards, and has been a part of major and indie label studio sessions, music videos, voice overs, and productions.
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Aside from being a performing artist, Vivian is also an accomplished music educator. Over the years, she has taught voice, piano, and music theory thru her private studio and at Miami-Dade College, the University of Miami, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and has directed award-winning jazz, latin and contemporary ensembles.
Vivian Ortega has been songwriting and producing in recent years and is working on original music for future release. She is a supporter of arts education and other philanthropic causes, and as she continues her work as an artist and educator, she is committed to continuing and expanding her support for them on and off the stage.
