Jean Reis holds a Master’s degree in Music. He specializes in Orchestral Conducting and Violin. He studied at the prestigious Andrews University and the University of Redlands. During his education, he had the privilege of studying with renowned conductors. These include Zvonimir Hacko, Marvin Rabin, Jon Robertson, Keith Igarashi, Eleazar de Carvalho, and Jeff Rickard (choral conducting). In violin, he received guidance from esteemed instructors including Germano Streithorst, Berenice C. Liedke, Erich Leheninger, Audino Nunes, Alberto Jaffé, and Lyndon Taylor.
As a conductor, Jean Reis has led various internationally acclaimed orchestras and ensembles. He has conducted the Arpeggione Orchestra (Austria) and Mont Blanc Chamber Orchestra (France). He has also led the Banda Sinfônica da Cidade de Buenos Aires, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and Sinfonia Gulf Coast. The Orquestra Sinfônica Cultura and Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo were conducted by him too. Further, he directed the Eleazar de Carvalho Chamber Orchestra and the Campinas Symphony Orchestra. His leadership extends to the University of North Dakota String Orchestra and University City Symphony (Missouri). He has conducted the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (Vietnam). He has also conducted the Alea Orchestra Giovanile del Tiburtino in Rome. His experience includes many others. He was a guest conductor at the opening concert of the Premier Orchestral Institute in Jackson, USA. He also conducted performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet with the Northwest Florida Ballet. Additionally, he premiered the “Sinfonia Brasileira” by Arthur Barbosa. He also premiered the “Piano Concerto” by Guilherme Bernstein Seixas. Both pieces were performed with the Symphony of Americas at the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale. While conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra of Mendoza, he directed symphonic concerts and Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni.” In the USA, he conducted Mozart’s Coronation Mass with the University of New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and Choir. At the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, he served as assistant conductor. Jean Reis was responsible for the premiere of the “Violin Concerto” by Arthur Barbosa. He assisted young Brazilian musicians in continuing their studies in the USA.
Jean Reis also has a distinguished career as a violinist. He performed with major orchestras in São Paulo. These included the São Paulo Municipal Symphony Orchestra, São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, and São Paulo Jazz Symphony Orchestra. In the USA, he was a member of orchestras like the Riverside Symphony Orchestra and Redlands Symphony Orchestra. He also performed with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Meridian Symphony Orchestra, and Gulf Port Symphony. He taught violin and orchestral practice at the Universidade Livre de Música and ACARTE. He also performed as a violinist with the Quarteto Paulista de Cordas. He presented concerts in significant venues throughout Brazil, the USA, and Europe.
As a guest conductor, Jean Reis participated in the Hot Music Festival (Arkansas). There, he recorded the “Cello Concerto” by Alan Shulman with cellist Wesley Baldwin. He has also conducted at The National Music Festival (USA) and the Espressivo Music Festival (Montenegro). He was invited to the École Normale de Musique de Paris for two years. During that time, he served on the jury for the Concertist Diploma in the Violin class.
Besides his roles as a conductor and violinist, Jean Reis is recognized for his work as Artistic Director. He is the visionary behind more than 80 Music Festivals in Brazil. These include the Festival Internacional de Canto de Curitiba (FICC) and Paraná Opera Festival. Additionally, there is the International Music Festival of Maringá (FIMMA) and the International Music Festival of UNASP-SP (MUNASP). Also included are the International Music Festival of Pampa (FIMP) and the International Music Festival of Bauru (FIMUB). At this time, he directs several festivals. These include the Música nas Montanhas Festival in Poços de Caldas-MG. He manages the International Music Festival Música no Mar de Minas in Alfenas-MG. He also manages the Araucárias International Music Festival (FESTIMAP) in Toledo-PR.
Jean Reis has received many honors, including the title of Citizen of Poços de Caldas for his contributions to culture. He also received the Don Pedro II medal during the city’s 150th anniversary celebrations. He was awarded the Cultural Merit Order “Carlos Gomes” at the Commabder level. This is the highest honorary distinction from the Brazilian Society of Arts, Culture, and Education. He was recognized with the 50th Anniversary Medal of the Brazilian Peacekeeping Forces. This honor was conferred by the Brazilian Association of UN International Peace Forces.
Presently, besides his activities as Artistic Director and Conductor, Jean Reis is a violinist with the Versatilis Ensemble. He is the founding conductor and musical director of the Versatilis Orchestra. He also leads the Versatilis Philharmonic Orchestra of Minas Gerais and the Serprati Orchestra.