Spanish teacher Reynaldo Fernández Pavón, who is currently the long-term substitute for Amanda Vrabel, has mastered much more than just the Spanish language.

Fernández writes poetry, has two published novels and has worked as a journalist. He also composes music for films, TV series, plays, symphonic orchestras, chamber orchestras and solo instruments.

Fernández began producing music at age 14, taking classes at a conservatory and later at the University of Havana in his homeland, Cuba. Aside from being an “expression of the human being’s soul,” Fernández believes his music and writing can spread hope, especially in places like Cuba.

“We have, over the land, too many conflicts. Too many confrontations and problems,” Fernández said. “The arts, the literature, the music is a way to send peace and love to the human beings.”

Despite the importance of his work, Fernández said that surviving as a composer or writer is very difficult. He works hard to produce high-quality music and literature.

“At noon, in the morning, in the afternoon, in the middle of the night. It’s not a full-time job, it’s more than that,” Fernández said. “Passion for the excellence of your work means taking your free time for that.”

Fernández’s dedication has evidently paid off. His symphonic and chamber works have been performed by prestigious orchestras, such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, the Chamber Orchestra of Havana, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Russian Federal Republic. Fernández also composed the music for the play Cuentos Negros, which premiered at the Repertorio Español in New York City and won the ACE Award for Best Musical Production of 1997.

Fernández’s writing has received similar recognition. “Presagios” and “Cruzando Mares,” his first two books of poems, received awards from the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba. Fernández said, however, that he does not see achievement in terms of the awards he has won.

“I’m working for myself. I am the first customer of my own work,” Fernández said. “I really don’t care about the mass media communication or to be famous. It is not my concern.”

Moreover, Fernández believes that a singular goal for his musical and literary career is too complex to be defined.

“Every work has its own goal, destination, purpose,” Fernández said. “Year by year, day by day, every single verse, every single poem and every single novel has its own goal, its own social function.”

Fernández hopes to continue writing until the end of his life, granted his health allows him. His continued efforts should not be too difficult, as Fernández compared the time he spends working to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.

“When I am doing my work as a composer, or writing a novel or poems, an eternity is a minute,” Fernández said.

Check out this video from his YouTube channel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGJUdqjfm1Q

(The Philadelphia Overture by Reynaldo Fernández Pavón is premiered by the Michoacán Symphony Orchestra at the International Guitar Festival)