Growing up, he listened to whatever he could get his hands on, everything from classical compositions to rock 'n' roll, jazz and Afro-Cuban pop songs. Moreno moved to the United States in 1983 after deciding to pursue advanced studies in music. He earned a bachelor's in music theory from North Texas State University, graduating magna cum laude, a master's in music theory from Queens College and later a Ph.D., also in music theory, from Yale University. Because of his background and passion for the subject, Moreno was placed in charge of the department's theory program upon his arrival at Duke. Music theory courses center on formal and structural analysis of music and typically involve matters such as the fundamentals of notation, ear training and explorations of melody, harmony and counterpoint.
Students offer similar praise.
In a recent course evaluation, one undergraduate noted that he had learned more in his theory class than in any other he had taken. He's always willing to sit with you and discuss problem areas. He explains until you understand. When it comes to relating to his students, Moreno said it certainly helps that he is a jazz string bassist who has performed with major artists. His main gig has been with Ray Barretto's Latin jazz septet, the group that earned the Grammy nominations.