Laura Aguirre Bachelor of Music Candidate in Music Education, Received in May, 2004. A native of El Paso, Texas, Ms. Aguirre was born on September 27, 1979 and as a small child, showed much interest in the arts. Her first piano teacher was her brother Juan, who prepared her for her formal piano training with pianist Mildred Culver. Once enrolled in high school, Ms. Aguirre participated in the class piano course, which motivated her to continue studying and performing. Under the guidance of teacher Judith Cass, Laura Aguirre entered the El Paso U.I.L. Solo and Ensemble competition in both 1996 and 1997 and advanced to the Texas State U.I.L competition in Austin, Texas. Other teachers include Mrs. Barbara Balch Packales and Dr. Arryl Paul. In 2004, Ms. Aguirre accepted a faculty position at Montwood High School where she is the Class Piano Instructor. In 2006. Ms. Aguirre attended workshops involving technology and teaching in the class piano lab. She is currently working to upgrade the lab at Montwood. Thomas Azar Bachelor of Music Candidate in Theory/Composition and Piano Performance, Received in May, 2003 (composition) and May, 2004 (piano performance). Mr. Azar began his studies at the age of five with Lydia Boureslan. Other teachers include Sammie Booth, Janet Loman, Dr. Michael Burhardt, Professor Ruben Gutierrez and Dr. Arryl Paul. He has also performed for the VanCliburn competition winner, Ms. Olga Kern. Since 1999, Thomas Azar has held the position of church musician, accompanying the sanctuary choirs, leading congregational singing and performing special music upon the organ. He has also been a collaborative pianist, working with the UTEP Jazz Singers, the El Paso Children's Chorus, the UTEP Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Other professional performances include playing for the El Paso Opera's production of Turandot and numerous concerts with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra as percussionist and ensemble keyboardist. Mr. Azar enjoys performing art song, chamber music, and solo piano repertoire. Mr. Azar attended the Aspen Summer Music Festival in 2003, where he studied with Steinway Artist, Mr. John Nauman. Thomas won first place in the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition in 2004, returning thereafter to attend the 2004 Aspen Summer Music Festival, where he worked with pedagogue Mr. Herbert Stessin. Mr. Azar obtained the Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Arizona, studying piano with Professor Tannis Gibson in Spring 2007. While at the U of A, Thomas was awarded a teaching assistantship (class piano), first place honors in the concerto competition (performing Liszt’s Totentanz with the university orchestra in Tucson, Arizona and in Hermosillo, Mexico), one of six scholarships for summer study at SUNY New Paltz Piano Festival (which included a solo performance at Steinway Hall in New York), and participation in the Jacob Flier International and Shreveport Piano Competitions. He began the Post-Graduate diploma in Piano Performance at the Manhattan School of Music in September, 2007. Graciela Castañeda Minor in Piano Performance, Completed in 2006. Starting at the young age of three years old, Graciela Castañeda began her musical career performing through the piano studio of her mother, Elena Castañeda. As she began her piano studies with Juan Fausto and continued with the Suzuki method under the instruction of Anne Bowman, Ms. Castañeda obtained several performing opportunities that included playing solo recitals and becoming a soloist with the Classical Orchestra of Juárez, México by the age of nine. Maintaining high standards in her music education, Ms. Castañeda was introduced to Mrs. Mary Lou Wade. A member of the Texas Music Teachers Association, Mrs. Wade exposed Ms. Castañeda to several competitions, such as the Irma Kluck Baroque competition and the District-Regional-Texas State competitions, in which she was a part for several years. Moving into high school, Ms. Castañeda performed in the Coronado High School Orchestra, which presented her with opportunities to perform around the world. Among these tours was her greatest achievement to date of becoming a piano soloist in Carnegie Hall in New York City, playing a Mendelssohn double concerto by the age of sixteen. Ms. Castañeda graduated from UTEP in May 2005 in Organizational Communication and Public Relations with a Minor in Piano Performance. She recently gained employment with a shipping company as their main PR saleswoman and will travel for education in leading the El Paso team of the multi-state company. She studied both with Dr. Kwan Wu Kim and Dr. Dena Kay Jones. Diane “Dee Dee" Kenney Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Received in May, 2003. Piano performance and music education has always been the future vision of Ms. Dee Dee Kenney. She began studying piano at the age of five with Ms. Jane Harmison. At the age of eleven, she continued piano lessons with Ms. Jean Elliott. When she turned fifteen, her mother asked her if she wanted a quinciñera or a brand new piano. She opted for a Classic-Baldwin baby grand. Ms. Kenney then studied with Dr. Joseph Packales, former residing theory and composition professor at UTEP who encouraged her to enter UTEP as a piano student. After an audition, she immediately began her piano studies with Dr. Arryl Paul and remained his student until his retirement in 2002. Even though piano performance has been Ms. Kenney's career, she collaboratively works with instrumentalists and vocalists. Several band, choir and orchestra directors feel that she works well with students, especially those in elementary, junior high and high school. She also has composed several piano solos, including a Christian song entitled, "Raise Your Hands!" Dee Dee Kenney graduated in May of 2003 and recently returned with her family from Hawaii, where her husband served in the U.S. military, and is considering teaching music in the El Paso public school system. Daniel Fraire Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Received in May, 2006. Originating from Torreon Coahuila, Mexico, Daniel Fraire was taking piano classes at a music school by the age of eight. Three months later, he dropped his lessons and left music until the age of fourteen, when he was invited by his older brother to participate in a youth Christian band (because they didn't have a pianist). Since he'd forgotten everything, this situation forced him to learn on his own how to play the piano again. And so he did. Two years later, this young man began studying formally again with a teacher named, "Estelita." His piano teacher helped him to learn how to practice and to invest hours in the practice room. Mr. Fraire is one talented musician, because he earned the place to begin his studies in piano performance at the University of Texas in El Paso, working with Dr. Arryl Paul. Dr. Paul made a huge difference on this young talent, teaching Daniel Fraire how to read and also how to incorporate some piano techniques. Mr. Fraire completed his UTEP piano studies with Dr. Dena Kay Jones and specializes in the piano works of Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninoff. His Christian band is one of the top bands in Mexico, and he is traveling throughout South America, playing keyboards and composing songs. Mr. Fraire also works as part of the production team for a Christian music studio called "Vastago Producciones," and is collaborating directly with singer Jesus Adrian Romero. Mr. Fraire has produced three Christian Latin albums and has participated in more than five projects as a composer, arranger and performer. Daniel and his wife Damaris recently had a little boy named Ian. Miah Lee Master of Music Candidate in Piano Performance, Received in May 2005. An excellent pianist and teacher, Ms. Lee is well on her way to establishing herself as a future star in the music world. Originally from Korea, she has a strong, traditional piano education with amazing technique and steady, clean lines in regard to melody and rhythm. Ms. Lee was one of the top graduate students at UTEP. In addition to her highly regarded reputation as a solo pianist, she is sought to also collaborate. She completed her Master of Music Recital in which she performed Bach’s Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major, Mozart Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 333, the Liszt transcription of Robert Schumann’s lied, Wigmung, Ravel’s Jeux D’eau, and Danzas Argentinas by Alberto Ginastera. Her husband is also a musician and performed on her recital as well, singing the original Schumann vocal work just prior to his wife’s performance of the large piano transcription. Miah completed her Masters thesis on the national style of Alberto Ginastera, accompanied by a large analysis of his Danzas Argentinas and graduated with honors in May 2005. She was named the Outstanding Graduate in Piano Performance by the Department of Music and recently received the Music Education Certification, allowing her to teach music in the public school systems. She currently works as piano professor for El Paso Community College. Nayeli Lopez Master of Music in Piano Performance, Received in August, 2003. Nayeli Lopez was born in Villahermosa, Mexico. She began studying piano at the age of six in Juarez, Mexico. In the summer of 1992 she attended a Chamber Music Clinic at the University of Texas in El Paso. In the same year she gave her first solo piano recital in the program Mayo Musical Juarense, homage to Maestro Abraham Chavez. In 1996, Ms. Lopez began her piano studies as a piano major at UTEP with Dr. Arryl Paul as her principal teacher. During her undergraduate studies she was a recipient of the academic scholarship Federico de la Vega and the Mutnick Piano Scholarship. Since she started her career at the University, Nayeli has been actively performing as a soloist and collaborative pianist in numerous recitals in the El Paso-Juarez area. Ms. Lopez was awarded many honors during her time at UTEP, including the invitation to perform in the Music Department Honors Recital in May 2001 and 2002, becoming a member of the Golden Key National Honor society and Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society in Music, and graduating Cum Laude in Piano Performance, May 2001. She has worked for different churches of El Paso as a pianist and organist. Her teaching experience includes private lessons as well as group piano classes for the Department of Continuing Education as well as for the Department of Music. She was the piano instructor for El Paso Philharmonic Strings in the summer of 2002. Ms. Lopez is currently working as Applied Piano Professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez. In addition to her passion for music, Nayeli Lopez is an amazing chess player. She was the National Chess Young Champion of Mexico in 1993 to 1994 and participated in international competitions in Slovakia, Spain, Hungary and Moscow in those years. Gema Valencia Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Received in August, 2007. Gema Valencia Salinas was born on October 18, 1979 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She took her first piano lessons at the age of seven at the elementary school Antonio Caso, and continued for two more years with the teacher Maestra de Jesus Morales. She retook her piano classes at the age of fourteen with Professor Jorge E. Olvera Ruiz. She performed in two recitals and recorded two compact discs: the first included Olvera’s compositions and the second one Mexican Waltzes. In 1999 when professor Olvera moved out of town, Gema decided to continue her piano studies, but this time taking them more professionally with renown professor Juan Rodrigo Perez Cardenas, director of the Instituto Musical Beethoven. This same year in Guadalajara she took the piano examination held by the American College of Musicians obtaining a magnificent score. Under Professor Juan R. Perez she participated in a number of recitals around the city of Guadalajara. Some of the theatres and auditoriums for these presentations included: the Instituto Cultural Mexicano Norteamericano de Jalisco and the Centro Cultural Jaime Torres Bodet. Her repertory for these presentations included select Bach preludes, several Chopin works, Beethoven and Mozart sonatas and compositions by Mexican composers. In 2001 she was invited to participate in a concert honoring Ludwig van Beethoven. This event was organized by CONACULTA (National Council Hall for the Culture and Arts) through the INBA (National Institute of Fine Arts) and took place in the Center of Artistic Education “Jose Clemente Orozco.” In 2002 she moved to El Paso and enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso. She was awarded a ballet scholarship, which started her studies in dance and music. In 2005 she was awarded the Phoebe and Reuben Mutnick Scholarship, helping her to continue with piano studies. This same year she successfully passed her Junior piano recital. She received the Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance degree in August 2007. During her tenure at UTEP she participated in many Piano Area Recitals at the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, the Kick-off Gala of Ivories on the Border, the annual Music Gala of the Music Department, and offered recitals at the Women’s Club of El Paso and the Museo del INBA de Ciudad Juarez, among others. She has participated in master classes with Dora de Marinis, Matthew Manwarren and Tannis Gibson. Ms. Valencia already has a full plate for her post Bachelor’s studies: she will be teaching class piano at the El Paso County Elementary Day School and through the UTEP PACE program. She also will be working with pre-college dance students, teaching ballet through the UTEP Dance Department. In Juarez, she will be working withh advanced dance students at the Academica Municipal and also at a Dance Foundation, Yumari -- established to help Mexican dance students to plan for a professional career. Gema may be teaching a music theory class in that realm. Gabriela Zamora Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Received in May, 2007. Ms. Zamora started studying the piano when she was twelve, receiving a strong piano education from Elvin Porflit. She has always seen the piano as more than just an instrument, but as a means for expression of feeling or thought. Ms. Zamora also views learning music as a huge accomplishment, and that after working hard, she gains a sense of fulfillment when she can play magnificent works fluently. Once she has obtained goals in relation to her music study, she has stated that she can, "…do well on anything else if I set my mind to it." These philosophies that Gabriela Zamora has developed regarding the piano and its use has helped her make the decision that she wants to teach others what her experience has been. Ms. Zamora is currently teaching class piano and vocal studies at one of the local schools within El Paso. She is also contemplating further studies in Music Education.

Laura Aguirre Bachelor of Music Candidate in Music Education, Received in May, 2004.

A native of El Paso, Texas, Ms. Aguirre was born on September 27, 1979 and as a small child, showed much interest in the arts. Her first piano teacher was her brother Juan, who prepared her for her formal piano training with pianist Mildred Culver. Once enrolled in high school, Ms. Aguirre participated in the class piano course, which motivated her to continue studying and performing. Under the guidance of teacher Judith Cass, Laura Aguirre entered the El Paso U.I.L. Solo and Ensemble competition in both 1996 and 1997 and advanced to the Texas State U.I.L competition in Austin, Texas. Other teachers include Mrs. Barbara Balch Packales and Dr. Arryl Paul. In 2004, Ms. Aguirre accepted a faculty position at Montwood High School where she is the Class Piano Instructor. In 2006. Ms. Aguirre attended workshops involving technology and teaching in the class piano lab. She is currently working to upgrade the lab at Montwood.

Thomas Azar Bachelor of Music Candidate in Theory/Composition and Piano Performance, Received in May, 2003 (composition) and May, 2004 (piano performance).

Mr. Azar began his studies at the age of five with Lydia Boureslan. Other teachers include Sammie Booth, Janet Loman, Dr. Michael Burhardt, Professor Ruben Gutierrez and Dr. Arryl Paul. He has also performed for the VanCliburn competition winner, Ms. Olga Kern. Since 1999, Thomas Azar has held the position of church musician, accompanying the sanctuary choirs, leading congregational singing and performing special music upon the organ. He has also been a collaborative pianist, working with the UTEP Jazz Singers, the El Paso Children's Chorus, the UTEP Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Other professional performances include playing for the El Paso Opera's production of Turandot and numerous concerts with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra as percussionist and ensemble keyboardist. Mr. Azar enjoys performing art song, chamber music, and solo piano repertoire. Mr. Azar attended the Aspen Summer Music Festival in 2003, where he studied with Steinway Artist, Mr. John Nauman. Thomas won first place in the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition in 2004, returning thereafter to attend the 2004 Aspen Summer Music Festival, where he worked with pedagogue Mr. Herbert Stessin. Mr. Azar obtained the Master of Music in piano performance from the University of Arizona, studying piano with Professor Tannis Gibson in Spring 2007. While at the U of A, Thomas was awarded a teaching assistantship (class piano), first place honors in the concerto competition (performing Liszt’s Totentanz with the university orchestra in Tucson, Arizona and in Hermosillo, Mexico), one of six scholarships for summer study at SUNY New Paltz Piano Festival (which included a solo performance at Steinway Hall in New York), and participation in the Jacob Flier International and Shreveport Piano Competitions. He began the Post-Graduate diploma in Piano Performance at the Manhattan School of Music in September, 2007.

Graciela Castañeda Minor in Piano Performance, Completed in 2006.

Starting at the young age of three years old, Graciela Castañeda began her musical career performing through the piano studio of her mother, Elena Castañeda. As she began her piano studies with Juan Fausto and continued with the Suzuki method under the instruction of Anne Bowman, Ms. Castañeda obtained several performing opportunities that included playing solo recitals and becoming a soloist with the Classical Orchestra of Juárez, México by the age of nine. Maintaining high standards in her music education, Ms. Castañeda was introduced to Mrs. Mary Lou Wade. A member of the Texas Music Teachers Association, Mrs. Wade exposed Ms. Castañeda to several competitions, such as the Irma Kluck Baroque competition and the District-Regional-Texas State competitions, in which she was a part for several years. Moving into high school, Ms. Castañeda performed in the Coronado High School Orchestra, which presented her with opportunities to perform around the world. Among these tours was her greatest achievement to date of becoming a piano soloist in Carnegie Hall in New York City, playing a Mendelssohn double concerto by the age of sixteen. Ms. Castañeda graduated from UTEP in May 2005 in Organizational Communication and Public Relations with a Minor in Piano Performance. She recently gained employment with a shipping company as their main PR saleswoman and will travel for education in leading the El Paso team of the multi-state company. She studied both with Dr. Kwan Wu Kim and Dr. Dena Kay Jones.

Diane “Dee Dee" Kenney Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Received in May, 2003.

Piano performance and music education has always been the future vision of Ms. Dee Dee Kenney. She began studying piano at the age of five with Ms. Jane Harmison. At the age of eleven, she continued piano lessons with Ms. Jean Elliott. When she turned fifteen, her mother asked her if she wanted a quinciñera or a brand new piano. She opted for a Classic-Baldwin baby grand. Ms. Kenney then studied with Dr. Joseph Packales, former residing theory and composition professor at UTEP who encouraged her to enter UTEP as a piano student. After an audition, she immediately began her piano studies with Dr. Arryl Paul and remained his student until his retirement in 2002. Even though piano performance has been Ms. Kenney's career, she collaboratively works with instrumentalists and vocalists. Several band, choir and orchestra directors feel that she works well with students, especially those in elementary, junior high and high school. She also has composed several piano solos, including a Christian song entitled, "Raise Your Hands!" Dee Dee Kenney graduated in May of 2003 and recently returned with her family from Hawaii, where her husband served in the U.S. military, and is considering teaching music in the El Paso public school system.

Daniel Fraire Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Received in May, 2006.

Originating from Torreon Coahuila, Mexico, Daniel Fraire was taking piano classes at a music school by the age of eight. Three months later, he dropped his lessons and left music until the age of fourteen, when he was invited by his older brother to participate in a youth Christian band (because they didn't have a pianist). Since he'd forgotten everything, this situation forced him to learn on his own how to play the piano again. And so he did. Two years later, this young man began studying formally again with a teacher named, "Estelita." His piano teacher helped him to learn how to practice and to invest hours in the practice room. Mr. Fraire is one talented musician, because he earned the place to begin his studies in piano performance at the University of Texas in El Paso, working with Dr. Arryl Paul. Dr. Paul made a huge difference on this young talent, teaching Daniel Fraire how to read and also how to incorporate some piano techniques. Mr. Fraire completed his UTEP piano studies with Dr. Dena Kay Jones and specializes in the piano works of Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninoff. His Christian band is one of the top bands in Mexico, and he is traveling throughout South America, playing keyboards and composing songs. Mr. Fraire also works as part of the production team for a Christian music studio called "Vastago Producciones," and is collaborating directly with singer Jesus Adrian Romero. Mr. Fraire has produced three Christian Latin albums and has participated in more than five projects as a composer, arranger and performer. Daniel and his wife Damaris recently had a little boy named Ian.

Miah Lee Master of Music Candidate in Piano Performance, Received in May 2005.

An excellent pianist and teacher, Ms. Lee is well on her way to establishing herself as a future star in the music world. Originally from Korea, she has a strong, traditional piano education with amazing technique and steady, clean lines in regard to melody and rhythm. Ms. Lee was one of the top graduate students at UTEP. In addition to her highly regarded reputation as a solo pianist, she is sought to also collaborate. She completed her Master of Music Recital in which she performed Bach’s Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major, Mozart Sonata in B-flat Major, K. 333, the Liszt transcription of Robert Schumann’s lied, Wigmung, Ravel’s Jeux D’eau, and Danzas Argentinas by Alberto Ginastera. Her husband is also a musician and performed on her recital as well, singing the original Schumann vocal work just prior to his wife’s performance of the large piano transcription. Miah completed her Masters thesis on the national style of Alberto Ginastera, accompanied by a large analysis of his Danzas Argentinas and graduated with honors in May 2005. She was named the Outstanding Graduate in Piano Performance by the Department of Music and recently received the Music Education Certification, allowing her to teach music in the public school systems. She currently works as piano professor for El Paso Community College.

Nayeli Lopez Master of Music in Piano Performance, Received in August, 2003.

Nayeli Lopez was born in Villahermosa, Mexico. She began studying piano at the age of six in Juarez, Mexico. In the summer of 1992 she attended a Chamber Music Clinic at the University of Texas in El Paso. In the same year she gave her first solo piano recital in the program Mayo Musical Juarense, homage to Maestro Abraham Chavez. In 1996, Ms. Lopez began her piano studies as a piano major at UTEP with Dr. Arryl Paul as her principal teacher. During her undergraduate studies she was a recipient of the academic scholarship Federico de la Vega and the Mutnick Piano Scholarship. Since she started her career at the University, Nayeli has been actively performing as a soloist and collaborative pianist in numerous recitals in the El Paso-Juarez area. Ms. Lopez was awarded many honors during her time at UTEP, including the invitation to perform in the Music Department Honors Recital in May 2001 and 2002, becoming a member of the Golden Key National Honor society and Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society in Music, and graduating Cum Laude in Piano Performance, May 2001. She has worked for different churches of El Paso as a pianist and organist. Her teaching experience includes private lessons as well as group piano classes for the Department of Continuing Education as well as for the Department of Music. She was the piano instructor for El Paso Philharmonic Strings in the summer of 2002. Ms. Lopez is currently working as Applied Piano Professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez. In addition to her passion for music, Nayeli Lopez is an amazing chess player. She was the National Chess Young Champion of Mexico in 1993 to 1994 and participated in international competitions in Slovakia, Spain, Hungary and Moscow in those years.

Gema Valencia Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Received in August, 2007.

Gema Valencia Salinas was born on October 18, 1979 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She took her first piano lessons at the age of seven at the elementary school Antonio Caso, and continued for two more years with the teacher Maestra de Jesus Morales. She retook her piano classes at the age of fourteen with Professor Jorge E. Olvera Ruiz. She performed in two recitals and recorded two compact discs: the first included Olvera’s compositions and the second one Mexican Waltzes. In 1999 when professor Olvera moved out of town, Gema decided to continue her piano studies, but this time taking them more professionally with renown professor Juan Rodrigo Perez Cardenas, director of the Instituto Musical Beethoven. This same year in Guadalajara she took the piano examination held by the American College of Musicians obtaining a magnificent score. Under Professor Juan R. Perez she participated in a number of recitals around the city of Guadalajara. Some of the theatres and auditoriums for these presentations included: the Instituto Cultural Mexicano Norteamericano de Jalisco and the Centro Cultural Jaime Torres Bodet. Her repertory for these presentations included select Bach preludes, several Chopin works, Beethoven and Mozart sonatas and compositions by Mexican composers. In 2001 she was invited to participate in a concert honoring Ludwig van Beethoven. This event was organized by CONACULTA (National Council Hall for the Culture and Arts) through the INBA (National Institute of Fine Arts) and took place in the Center of Artistic Education “Jose Clemente Orozco.” In 2002 she moved to El Paso and enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso. She was awarded a ballet scholarship, which started her studies in dance and music. In 2005 she was awarded the Phoebe and Reuben Mutnick Scholarship, helping her to continue with piano studies. This same year she successfully passed her Junior piano recital. She received the Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance degree in August 2007. During her tenure at UTEP she participated in many Piano Area Recitals at the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall, the Kick-off Gala of Ivories on the Border, the annual Music Gala of the Music Department, and offered recitals at the Women’s Club of El Paso and the Museo del INBA de Ciudad Juarez, among others. She has participated in master classes with Dora de Marinis, Matthew Manwarren and Tannis Gibson. Ms. Valencia already has a full plate for her post Bachelor’s studies: she will be teaching class piano at the El Paso County Elementary Day School and through the UTEP PACE program. She also will be working with pre-college dance students, teaching ballet through the UTEP Dance Department. In Juarez, she will be working withh advanced dance students at the Academica Municipal and also at a Dance Foundation, Yumari -- established to help Mexican dance students to plan for a professional career. Gema may be teaching a music theory class in that realm.

Gabriela Zamora Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Received in May, 2007.

Ms. Zamora started studying the piano when she was twelve, receiving a strong piano education from Elvin Porflit. She has always seen the piano as more than just an instrument, but as a means for expression of feeling or thought. Ms. Zamora also views learning music as a huge accomplishment, and that after working hard, she gains a sense of fulfillment when she can play magnificent works fluently. Once she has obtained goals in relation to her music study, she has stated that she can, "…do well on anything else if I set my mind to it." These philosophies that Gabriela Zamora has developed regarding the piano and its use has helped her make the decision that she wants to teach others what her experience has been. Ms. Zamora is currently teaching class piano and vocal studies at one of the local schools within El Paso. She is also contemplating further studies in Music Education.

Alumni