Classical guitarist and composer Hermelindo Ruiz has released his latest project “Vital”. The record consists of music Ruiz has composed throughout his life, and it really is an answer to what is vital to him.

The title of the CD came to Ruiz when he was traveling about four years ago.

“I had this initiative to go and ask people what are their three most important things in life, which is what is vital to their life,” Ruiz said.

The CD is also about the guitarist’s compositions and his first 10 years as a composer. “Vital” truly captures what Ruiz values in his life.

Many musicians have taken Ruiz’s compositions and played in places like China, Russia, and Thailand. There is a piece on the record that premiered in Africa called “Flores, Café y Tu Sonrisa”. Another of his songs titled “Recordando a Margot” has been performed tens of times in Asia and Europe.

A Spanish guitarist named Samuel Diz has played Ruiz’s music in 10 different countries. Diz was the first musician to premiere Ruiz’s compositions in Europe when Ruiz was just 19. Since then, Ruiz and Diz have built a very close relationship.

“We even recorded in Barcelona for two different CD recordings that were released in 2013 and 2014,” said Ruiz. 

Ruiz has performed in many venues and has gained different experiences from each, having performed in upscale venues such as Carnegie Hall along with performing on crowded streets in Europe.

Ruiz’s work has always come natural to him. He could not find another method more powerful than music to express himself. 

“What makes you wake up? Life. It was the same for me with music,” Ruiz said.

The composer’s passion for music started at a young age. Ruiz began playing guitar at the age of eight and fell in love with the instrument. Born in the heart of the Puerto Rico mountains, Ruiz now calls Lexington home. Ruiz is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at UK’s School of Music.

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Ruiz is dedicated to learning and always has been. The guitarist moved to the states to study at Yale – a move that opened a lot of doors for him. He then ventured to UK with a specific objective in mind –working on music with his mentor.

Ruiz’s mentor is his guitar professor Dr. Dieter Hennings. Ruiz has great respect for Hennings and his talents. Ruiz’s aspiration is always to learn, and he never expected his career would turn out the way it has.

“I never wanted anything outside of learning and challenging myself,” Ruiz said. “So now these days I have to talk about traveling. This is not what I was looking for at all.”