Known for his innovative teaching style, Ramírez holds degrees from the prestigious Stuttgart Musikhochschule where he studied with Ludger Lohmann. In addition to his responsibilities at Ball State, he is Artistic Director of the International Summer Organ Festival and Academy in Barcelona, Spain. Ramírez brings to Ball State a deep academic knowledge, an in-depth understanding of organ performance practice, and a wide network of professional organists, many of whom regularly present guest artist recitals and master classes at Ball State. Ball State University, located in Muncie, Indiana, is home to the Sursa Concert Organ, housed in the acoustically brilliant Sursa Performance Hall.There are six additional organs spread throughout the city of Muncie, including a massive Skinner/Reynolds Symphonic organ located in the High Street United Methodist Church. Ball State organ students take weekly lessons with Ramírez on the Skinner/Reynolds Symphonic organ or the Sursa Concert Organ, and have access to all seven organs for practicing purposes. In addition, the university hosts an annual Gala Pipe Organ Festival in conjunction with the American Guild of Organists Muncie Chapter. In the spring of 2016, the university will host an International Organ Competition in partnership with the Moscow International Organ Competition. Students attending Ball State have a plethora of performance opportunities both on and off campus. There are also opportunities to study abroad with leading organ professionals on historic organs of different styles.
