Dr. Elvis Bendaña Rivas, Conductor EPYO

Elvis Bendaña Rivas, a native from Nicaragua, is an accomplished musician and academic with extensive experience in orchestral conducting, classical guitar performance, and university teaching. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Communication Studies in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Southern Indiana.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Studies from Louisiana State University, majoring in Performance Studies with a minor in Experimental Music and Digital Media. His dissertation, "Harmonies of Dissent: The Role of Speech Acts and Necropolitics in the Music of the 1979 Nicaraguan Revolution," emphasizes his deep commitment to music's socio-political aspects. Additionally, he holds a Master's degree in Performance Studies from Texas A&M University, a Bachelor's degree in Orchestral Conducting and a Bachelor's degree in Classical Guitar from the University of Costa Rica, and a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from the University of Commercial Sciences in Nicaragua.

Over the years, Elvis has held several notable musical positions, including Music Director of the Civic Orchestra of Baton Rouge and the SIFAIS Youth Orchestra in Costa Rica. Prior to his move to Evansville, he was a Guitar Performer with the New Orleans Guitar Quartet, releasing their debut album, "Solace." He is currently also a member of the USI Irish Music Ensemble.

As a guitar soloist, he has performed with various orchestras, showcasing his virtuosity and musicality. His solo performances have taken him to Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the United States, including prestigious venues such as the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts and Carnegie Hall in New York. He has also participated in three album recordings, Sonjosé (2012), Kanca and Kennedy Live at Carnegie Hall (2016) and Solace (2023)

Recognized for his innovative approach to creating interactive and immersive musical experiences, Elvis has also pioneered experiments with 360-degree musical video performances, highlighting his commitment to advancing contemporary music practices.

His primary mentors in orchestral conducting include Carlos Riazuelo and Alejandro Gutierrez, with additional guidance from Carl St. Clair. In classical guitar, he has been primarily mentored by Isaac Bustos and Luis Zumbado.