Sebastián Ocando from Maracaibo to Shine with LaGrange Symphony Next Season
- Diego Montes
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Written by Diego Montes
Images courtesy of Sebastián Ocando
At just 22 years old, Venezuelan percussionist Sebastián Ocando has already reached a major milestone in his young career. After winning the Young Artist Competition with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, he is set to take the stage at LaGrange next season to perform the powerful and beautiful Marimba Concerto No. 1 by Emmanuel Séjourné—a work that not only challenges performers technically but also require deep emotional range and expressivity along phrases and connections. It’s a perfect match for the talented Ocando, whose journey is marked by intensity, growth, and heart.
Sebastián’s path to music began literally from birth. Raised in a deeply musical family in Maracaibo, Venezuela, both his mother and father were involved with the Maracaibo Conservatory. His first instrument was actually the violin, but he quickly found himself drawn to percussion—just like his father (Reinaldo Ocando). “I started with the violin, but then quickly wanted to change because my dad plays percussion,” he recalls. “So, I wanted to be like him.”
But like many father-son dynamics, the relationship was layered. “Even though I wanted to be like my dad, at the same time, I wanted to be the complete opposite of him,” Sebastián reflects. “It’s a little complex, even though I wanted to be like him, I also wanted to be different.” That internal tension became fuel for his drive to forge his own path during the musical journey.
Over time, his musical identity matured remarkably. “I started being super specific in my playing,” he says. “But I’ve come to like so many styles and places to play music that I have started to learn from any of them and even shape it to my own projects.” He credits his family—his wife, son, mother, father, and sisters—for continually inspiring him: “They have always taught me something musically, always giving me ideas and new approaches which I always enjoy.”
His move to Columbus State University's Schwob School of Music was sparked by a childhood friend called Luis Mora who was also attending the school, but it quickly evolved into something deeper than just coming by a friend's recommendation. “Thankfully, I ended up in the best school for me,” he says. “It taught me what I needed to learn, helped me fall in love with my technique and playing—which is something that I didn’t have so much knowledge of.”
The foundation he built at CSU with Dr. Paul Vaillancourt prepared him for international success. Sebastián has earned top honors in several major competitions, including the London International Competition and the Bach International Competition, Including graduating as Summa Cum Laude in Music Performance at Columbus State University. But winning the LaGrange Young Artist Competition holds a special place in his heart today due to the meaning of seeing the hard work of many years executed. “Probably the most important for me so far is the LaGrange Young Artist Concerto Competition,” he says.
The road to win wasn’t smooth at all since Sebastian started 4 hours away from LaGrange on the day he competed. “There was a little bit of confusion. The marimba that was provided was not five octaves,” he explains. “Maestro Richard Prior, the conductor of the LaGrange Symphony, was super understanding and helpful. He offered me to record the video from school—which worried me a little because I am better at playing in a live performance than in recording settings.”
That moment came on the heels of a packed schedule. “We were coming back from GMEA with the Schwob Wind Ensemble, in which I performed as a soloist with my studio mates Diego Montes, Lucas White and Gary Gordon,” Sebastián recalls about the emotional moment in his career. “On top of that, I traveled with my son and my wife—which was really fun, but I learned quickly that my son does not like to ride in the car,” he laughs.
Becoming a father has brought deep change to his life. “It makes you organize your time a lot better since now you have the dependent,” he says. “It switches all your priorities but also makes me be more specific and prepare better for my practice sessions, making them more effective.”
Despite the demands, he remains focused and optimistic. “I feel that I am better than yesterday,” he says. “Which is always the goal, to be better than you were before.”
Looking ahead, Sebastián envisions a future grounded in music and family which involves staying in Columbus for at least a couple more days. “I would love to keep on my playing but also at the same time be able to provide for my son and family,” he shares. “My plan is to do this by doing what I love—which is music.”
From the conservatory halls of Maracaibo to the concert stage in LaGrange, Sebastián Ocando’s story is one of talent, resilience, and evolution. With mallets in hand and purpose in his heart, he is just getting started and will stay in our city shining with the Schwob Percussion Studio. ◾️