Associate professor Jānis Retenais is the first actively performing tuba teacher in the history of JVLMA. He is the founder of the Euphonium Class of the Academy and promotes euphonium performance at JVLMA. In 2001 he began teaching at E. Melngailis Liepāja Secondary Music School and in a year commenced work at the Tuba/Euphonium Class and Chamber Ensemble Class of J. Mediņš Riga Secondary Music School. Since 2002 he teaches at JVLMA; in 2012 he was appointed associated professor of the Wind Instrument Department, in 2008 he became the Head of the Brass Instrument Class, and in 2010 – the Head of JVLMA Department of Wind Instruments.

As a performer Jānis Retenais has given over 1000 concerts with “Shady Brass Q”, BRASA NOVA, “Tubalogia” and “MAGIC 4” ensembles, as well as appearing in various masterclass-related concerts. He has also on many occasions performed various opuses as a member of symphonic orchestras and symphonic wind bands.  Jānis Retenais was the initiator and artistic director of the Riga Brass Symposium and the International Dixieland Festival in Umurga.

Jānis Retenais has achieved considerable success as a conductor since 2009, when he commenced his duties as the conductor of J.Mediņš Riga Secondary Music School Wind Band

JMRMV symphonic wind band 

Jazeps Medins Riga secondary music school symphonic wind band is one of the oldest symphonic wind band`s in Latvia. Shortly after founding the school in 1927, when it discovered the woodwind and brass class, they established a training orchestra in 1947, which carries the name of Jāzeps Mediņš. From the beginning of the orchestra it has worked with many famous conductors like Alfrēds Segliņš, Gunārs Līcis, Jānis Kronītis, Nikolajs Savkovs, Ivars Trofimovs, Jānis Puriņš, Pēteris Plūme, Leons Amoliņš etc. The history of the orchestra includes several successful periods, as well as less successful moments when the existence of the orchestra has been threatened. 

Over the past fifteen years, the orchestra has become a serious player among the Latvian amateur wind bands. Under the guidance of the conductors Jānis Retenais and Andis Karelis, the orchestra has set high achievements and goals. During this period, the band has produced countless of concerts and delighted their audiences with high-quality professionally prepared programs.