Reyes’ musical abilities surpassed his peers and what MMA’s music curriculum could offer. To ensure Reyes found continued musical growth and development during his time at MMA, Colonel Churches, a former MMA music instructor, organized for Reyes to receive advanced private piano lessons outside of MMA, in addition to his rigorous music curriculum and involvement in MMA’s Jazz Band.

“I got involved in the music department under Colonel Churches,” Reyes said about his time at MMA. “That year, with strong, permanent and continuous contact with music, and performing all year, was fundamental for me to become a professional composer and an active musician.”

But Reyes’ professional journey didn’t begin with music. After graduating, Reyes went on to study law and philosophy at a university in Mexico City, Mexico. From there, he would become an accomplished lawyer, university lecturer and author.

“I remember my psychology and sociology lessons at MMA influenced me to study philosophy,” Reyes said.

But Reyes never truly stopped studying and practicing music and composition, as his formal degrees would suggest. In the 90’s he collaborated at a music studio to continue mastering music, taking lessons on harmony, counterpoint and composition. In the 2000s, he committed himself to symphonic music and created now-famous compositions such as “Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe,” “A Jesuit Symphony,” “Requiem” and “The Fifth of May Symphony,” which stand as landmarks in the Latin American symphonic and choral repertoire.

“When I was 18, I had to choose what to study in the university,” Reyes said in a 2015 interview with Finale Music, “I didn’t choose music because I felt at the time that I was already a musician.” 

Now, Reyes travels the world to demonstrate his music in prestigious opera halls and theaters. In addition to his May 2019 performance at Carnegie Hall, his music will premiere in the United Kingdom in July, in Argentina in December, and in Italy and China beginning 2020.

“The concert of my music at the Moscow International House of Music in February 2018 might be the most rewarding moment [of my career so far],” Reyes said. “A full two-hour program of only my music was presented and performed by some of the greatest Russian musicians.”

In addition to his prestigious performances, Reyes writes and records full orchestra and choir. You can find his music on his website at www.venusreyjr.com or on his YouTube channel.