Ramón Ortega Quero received solid training from Miguel Quirós early on at the conservatory of his native city of Granada. Quero became a member of the Andalusian Youth Orchestra as a twelve-year-old. In 2003, the oboist cleared an important hurdle when conductor Daniel Barenboim accepted him as a member of the East-West Divan Orchestra. Since joining the orchestra, Ramón Ortega Quero has remained an enthusiastic member in rehearsal and at many concert appearances. Gregor Witt, Principal Oboe of Barenboim’s Berliner Staatskapelle, took the gifted young man under his wing and act as a mentor in his artistic development. One of Ramón Ortega Quero’s finest hours was winning First Prize at the ARD Music Competition held in Munich in September 2007. Members of the jury were thoroughly impressed by the inspiration and flawless play of the prize-winning soloist in both compulsory and optional pieces, including the Mozart and Richard Strauss concertos.