Dr. Javier Valerio is widely recognized as one of the pioneers and leading classical saxophonist in Latin America and an exhaustive advocate of the Latin American classical saxophone repertoire. He was invited as a jury member of the 2014 Adolphe Sax International Competition, He is member of the International Saxophone Committee (ISC), Founding President of the ALASAX (Latin American Saxophone Alliance), Founding Director of the Sax Fest Costa Rica International, the Costa Rica International Saxophone Competition and founder of the renowned saxophone and percussion quintet, SONSAX.
After studying with the world known saxophonist, Eugene Rousseau, at Indiana University School of Music, Valerio returned to his home country, Costa Rica, and established the Saxophone Studio where he has been teaching as a Distinguished Professor of the School of Music at the University of Costa Rica and worked as the Director of the Instrumental Department. He obtained his Master degree in Jazz Studies at Florida International University, Miami, working as the Classical Saxophone Studio at FIU, the New World School of the Arts in Miami, and as member of the Florida Saxophone Quartet.
Dr. Valerio obtained DMA degree from the University of Kansas, having the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall, New York with the KU Wind Ensemble in 2013.
He has been invited to perform as a soloist with many Orchestras and Wind Ensembles throughout Latin American countries, performing also in numerous occasions in the World Saxophone Congresses and North American Saxophone Congresses.
He has travelled offering recitals, clinics, master classes and concerts in countries such as Russia, Japan, Singapur, Canada, United States, México, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Perú, Paraguay, France, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, Central America and Panama.
Dr. Valerio is a Selmer Paris, Rico Reeds and Rousseau Mouthpieces Artist.