South Salem Chamber Orchestra

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The South Salem High School Chamber Orchestra is recognized as one of the premier high school string ensembles in the Pacific Northwest. Known for its rigorous artistic standards and sustained excellence, the ensemble consistently ranks among the top programs in Oregon and is part of a music department nationally honored as a GRAMMY Signature School. Based in Salem, Oregon, the Chamber Orchestra is comprised of the school’s most advanced string musicians. Its repertoire spans from Baroque masterworks to contemporary compositions, with a particular emphasis on commissioning and premiering new works. By championing culturally relevant and diverse repertoire, the ensemble ensures its students engage deeply with the evolving landscape of classical music. The orchestra’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its competitive achievements and distinguished invitations. Over the past decade, the South Salem High School Chamber Orchestra has: earned five Oregon State Championship titles, performed at the Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA) Conference on four occasions, and presented at the NAfME All-Northwest Conference. The Chamber Orchestra also collaborates regularly with South Salem’s award-winning choral and band programs to create innovative, multimedia performances that expand the boundaries of traditional high school music education.

South Salem Chamber Orchestra

Conductor's Bio

Damián Berdakín is a native of Córdoba, Argentina, who began his professional career as a double bassist with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Córdoba in 1999. In 2002, he received sponsorship to study Double Bass Performance at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He then continued his education at the California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles, earning an MFA in Orchestra Conducting and Double Bass Performance. While in Los Angeles, Damián served as Music Director of the Pacific Lyric Association, Assistant Conductor of the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, and Artist Teacher for the LA Philharmonic. He also founded the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra and conducted the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra. In 2012, Damián transitioned to public-school orchestra teaching, starting with the McNary High School Orchestras in Salem, Oregon. From 2014 to 2016, he was Director of Orchestras at Stony Point High School in Austin, Texas. Currently, he is in his tenth year as Director of Orchestras at South Salem High School in Oregon. Under his leadership, the South Salem Chamber Orchestra has performed at the Oregon Music Educators Association (OMEA) conference five times, presenting multiple North American and world premieres. The Chamber Orchestra has won the Oregon State Championships five times, while the South Salem Symphony Orchestra has earned three state championship titles. A passionate advocate for new music, Damián actively collaborates with composers to promote the creation and performance of contemporary works. His most recent collaboration was through the group Tango Sin Fin from Buenos Aires with composers Exequiel Mantega and Pablo Jaurena. Beyond his musical career, Damián has maintained a meditation practice for over a decade. Over the past five years, he has developed methods to integrate mindfulness into his warm-up routines, emphasizing focus, presence, and intentional practice. His work in this area was featured in Make Music Magazine in an article titled “The Mindful Warm-Up: Practicing the Skill of Concentration.” Damián lives in the Salem, Oregon area with his wife, Reba, and their daughter, Clara.