Born in Pinar del Río, Cuba, Rosangel Perez began her piano studies at the age of 5. She studied privately under the guidance of several teachers in her native land, showing promise and persistence to excel in her piano studies from an early age. At the age of 12, she and her family left everything behind and migrated to the United States. At the time, her family could not afford piano lessons. Nevertheless, after a brief audition at the University of Miami, the young girl’s talent was acknowledged and she was offered a scholarship to study under the guidance of Dr. Rosalina Sackstein, a former student of Claudio Arrau and to attend theory and ear training classes at the Frost Preparatory Program at the University of Miami, in Coral Gables. Rosangel went through technique training with Dr. Sackstein for three years, thoroughly working on sound projection. This was a turning point in Rosangel’s career, permanently changing her technique and the way she perceives sound. During this time, she started to grow as a performer and received First Place in the Miami Music Teachers Foundation Competition. 

 

Rosangel then moved to New Jersey and was awarded a scholarship to study at the Pre-College Program at Manhattan School of Music, in New York. She received lessons from world-renowned pianists such as Golda Tatz, Lisa Yui and Horacio Gutierrez. Amongst her accomplishments, she received the Josephine Fry Award (First Place) at the Piano Teachers Congress of New York Honors Program Competition and performed at Carnegie Hall, NY. She also had the opportunity to perform at the Kaufman Music Center, New York, as a result of being awarded Gold Prize in the International Virtuoso Competition.

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Rosangel returned to Miami after receiving a full scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s of Music at the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, under the tutelage of the legendary Santiago Rodriguez, a former student of Adele Marcus, and the brilliant Naoko Takao. During her undergrad years, she grew as an ensemble player, being given the opportunity to perform with all kinds of instrumentalists, such as singing, cello, violin, trumpet, trombone and tuba players, and also with large ensembles, such as the Frost Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Thomas Sleeper, and the Frost Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Robert Carnochan. Her performance opportunities with these ensembles included various concerts at the University of Miami and being part of the CBDNA Conference in Kansas City. Rosangel received the Outstanding Senior Award for her Major area in Piano Performance upon graduation.

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After her undergraduate years, she furthermore pursued a Master's Degree in Business Administration, at Florida International University, and a Master's of Music Education, with K-12 Certification, at the University of Miami. She completed her internship at Pinecrest Elementary School, under the mentorship of Cynthia Kohanek. Rosangel was recognized for her diligence and professionalism during this internship and received the Outstanding Student-Teacher Award for her graduating class at the University of Miami.

 

Rosangel has proudly been a faculty member of the Miami Conservatory of Music, in Coconut Grove, and Encore Academy of the Arts. She is currently an Artist-in-Residence at the Coral Gables Museum.  Additionally, Rosangel plays piano during Sunday Mass at the St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Coral Gables. 

 

She has been teaching piano lessons privately for 7 years and enjoys working with students of all ages and levels. Her goal is to make learning music an exciting and long-lasting experience, not only shaping the students into better musicians, but also into better human beings.