Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Ruiloba Gitto
Hi Patricia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m an immigrant from Panama City, Rep. of Panama. I came to the US in 2006 to pursue a Master of Music in Cello Performance at Texas State University- San Marcos (2006-2009). I was already an active cello player in my hometown Panama, mostly performing at multiple ensembles including the Panama National Symphony Orchestra from 2000 to 2006. I also got a degree in Journalism from the University of Panama (2004). When I decided to move to study music, it really changed my life. I discovered that I could also teach younger students and people from all ages. I became more curious about cello pedagogy and how to teach my instrument in a loving and caring way. This ultimately helped me tremendously to be a more proficient performer.
When I worked as a private teacher of over 25 cello students and an after school string program teacher in San Antonio, TX for two years (2009-2011), I was really interested to become a Suzuki trained instructor. When I got married in 2011 and moved to St. Louis, MO (my husband is from here), I had the opportunity to start training in the Suzuki Method by doing the Every Child Can course with Edmund Sprunger, and he asked me if i was ready to continue my training in Chicago, IL. I completed all the books from 2013 to 2021 (including online training) through the Chicago Suzuki Institute Summer courses. In the meantime, I started to teach at my home private studio many students of all ages and levels, and also I was hired as cello faculty at the Community Music School (CMS) of Webster University since 2012. In 2022, after continuing more training with Dr. Tanya Carey, I was appointed as one of the Cello Suzuki faculty at the CMS to this day. I teach both Suzuki and traditional individual lessons at CMS and group lessons for the Suzuki cello program.
Other ventures include getting certified in Wine and Spirits through the Society Wine Educators by passing on my first try the Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) in 2019, and the Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) in 2022. This is thanks to the influence of my husband, Stephen Gitto, who is a wine and spirits specialists and liquor manager at Schnucks. I decided to become a writer for wine and spirits by posting on my @pattywine Instagram account.
Since I moved to St. Louis, I became a Latin singer with Son Montuno band and later by administrating and creating Renacer Latino Orchestra, LLC since 2018. I currently perform with Tropical Mood of St. Louis, which could be a trio to a full band of 7 musicians. We play around town Latin music including salsa, merengue, bachata, cumbia, Latin jazz, American latinized tunes and glimpses of reggae. I truly enjoyed performing for Latin events, Festivals, and private events. In addition, I’m a cantor at my parish St. Ambrose church on the Hill, where I also got married, and sing occasionally for funerals.
I enjoy teaching, performing with my students, performing with my Latin band and putting my services into the community. I belong to various organizations including the Suzuki Association of Americas, the Musicians’ Association of St. Louis (AFM Local 2-197), Latinx Arts Network, the Hispanic Leaders Group of Greater St. Louis, the Sicilian Cultural Association and the Misericordia Society of St. Louis.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The main struggles have been mainly as an immigrant and what I had to sacrifice in order to stay in this country. Now, the US is the country that gave me the opportunity to establish myself as a proficient musician by working solely as an active performer and teacher back in San Antonio, TX and here in St. Louis, MO. Being away from my most immediate family as my mother and sister, and also being away from my hometown since I was 25 years old almost 20 years ago has been incredibly hard and at the same time has made me a stronger individual That’s the main reason of my desire to perform Latin music here in St. Louis. I don’t regret having to come to this country and build my business as a cello instructor, performer, owner and administrator of my Latin band. I’m also constantly looking for other opportunities to grow as a person.
As I was performing and teaching constantly, I dealt with motion repetitive injuries that prevented me to continue performing more consistently. Thanks to my physical therapist, and my Alexander technique instructor, as well as my physicians and acupuncturist, I can say with certainty that my injuries were not my fault and it was just being part of a really competitive field. I also became an EFT clinical certified practitioner to understand my mind and how to release the levels of anxiety that comes from being a teacher and a performer. In spite that it has not been an easy road, I have learned and enjoyed every single minute of it. I don’t regret all the decisions I have made so far, and I feel proud for achieving so much in this country.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I will describe myself as an entrepreneur who is constantly looking for more opportunities to grow and put my talents for service in my community and beyond. I’m an active cello and singer performer, traditional and Suzuki instructor, Wine and Spirits enthusiast, and an EFT clinical certified practitioner.
I’m mostly proud from being a multifaceted person; sometimes I wonder how I’m able to balance all my jobs and activities that I venture on. I truly enjoy every activity I do, and I believe that I learned to accept myself exactly as I am to continue doing what I do. That’s essentially what distinguishes me from other individuals. I’m not obsessed or worried about doing my jobs perfectly, although I’m a recovered perfectionist! Thanks to all the people who gave supported me on this journey, I have accomplished more than what I gave envisioned in my life.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I had mentors and supporters most of my entire life: I thank my family, mostly especially my parents and sister who believed in me from the very beginning. I had great mentors as Prof. Horacio Bustamante who taught me to become a proficient ensemble player; all my cello teachers I had back in Panama, and my voice teacher Betty Phillips who along with her husband Hudson helped me to study in the US and finally establish myself here. My cello teacher at Texas State University, Christopher Haritatos; all my Suzuki trainers who taught so much about the cello that I could have never believe I could apply to become the teacher and performer I am today. This list is long: Barbara Wapner, Carol Tarr, Nancy Hair, Pamela Devenport, Avi Friedlander, and most recently Andrea Espinzo, Patricia Pasmanter and Dr. Tanya Carey.
Definitely, my husband Stephen and my father in law, Paul, are my most precious people in the whole world. I like to call ourselves “the Three Musketeers”! They support me all the way with all my adventures!
And for my health and well being, my mentors include my PT Lynnette Khoo-Summers from Washington University Physical Therapy Clinics, my Alexander Technique instructor Dawn Karlovsky from Karlovsky Company & Dance, my acupuncturist Afua Bromley from Acupuncture St. Louis, and Marianna Giokas from EFT Universe.
Other mentors for the wine and spirits are Mike Ward and Anne Birkenmeier. My husband Stephen Gitto has being my partner and mentor in crime for my wine posts:)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tropicalmoodstl.com
- Instagram: @PatriciaGitto, @Pattygitto (Pattywine), @tropicalmoodstl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/WPktRHBY2X8zUjMa/ and https://m.facebook.com/p/Finding-Freedom-and-Peace-with-Patricia-Gitto-61556739638760/
- Other: https://www.creativistl.com/
