David Absalon Aguilar Aguilar

1964 -

David Aguilar, director of the concert band and head of band instruments at the University of Montemorelos in Mexico, has served in that position since 2002. Prior to this, he taught music at Colegio del Pacifico in Navajoa, Sonora, Mexico, from 1990 to 1997, and at Colegio "Vicente Guerrer" from 1997 to 2002.

Aguilar started piano lessons at age eight, studying first with his mother, Zoila, and then with the pastor's wife, Amparo Saviñon. He attended Linda Vista Academy in Chiapas from grades seven through twelve, graduating in 1981. While at LVA he studied piano with a student missionary from Walla Walla College, now University, Amanda Limon de Balboa, and Norka de Castillo. Castillo inspired him, through her piano performance and work in church music, to pursue study in music.

He then attended UM, where he studied theology for three years. Because of his heavy involvement in choir, band, and brass ensembles and his love of music, however, he decided to change to music and completed a music education degree in 1990. While teaching at CVG, Aguilar enrolled in a master's degree program being offered as an extension program by Andrews University through UM and in 2004 was one of the first five to complete the program. He was hired at that time to teach at UM.

In his time at UM, Aguilar has provided strong leadership and elevated the performance level of the band and brass ensembles. He has also toured with the band throughout Mexico. His wife, Elizabeth Piedra de Aguilar, is a singer and David often accompanies her when she sings in church. They have two children, David Eduardo, who plays violin in the university orchestra, and Anna, who plays the piano.

Aguilar is also an artist and teaches classes in art history in the art department, where his sister has taught or been chair for the last 23 years. He does oil painting and often paints in a contemporary geometric style.

ds/2008

Source: Information provided by Ruth Ann Wade, translated from an information sheet he provided in 2008.