A member of the El Paso Music Teachers Association for numerous years, Ms. Elena Castaneda has established herself as one of the principle teachers of pre-collegiate students within the El Paso Vicinity. She has a strong background in piano performance, obtaining degrees both from Mexico and UTEP. She currently is studying the Master of Music degree, specializing in Collaborative Piano.
Blake Duncan has recently started studying the piano due to a great interest in composition. He is currently divided on whether to focus on piano performance, or theory and composition (although he recently switched his major to Theory/Composition!). Piano professor Dr. Jones and composition professor Dr. Dousa constantly support him to pursue both fields. Blake recently participated in the 2006 and 2007 Concerto and Aria Competitions at the University of Texas at El Paso, performing the first movement of Bach's Klavier concerto in F Minor. The experience has really pushed him as a disciplined pianist and performer. He also attended the 2007 Texas Music Teachers Association Convention in Dallas/Fort Worth where he was a judge for the All-Star Competition.
Guillermo was born in El Paso, Texas, in June, 1990 but lived in neighboring Ciudad Juarez until 2001. He has been playing the piano since he was 10 years old, taking lessons with the remarkable pianist Flor de la Garza, his mother. Among his favorite pieces is Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude, filled with passionate fervor and emotion, which he enjoys to perform, or even play for amusement. He is currently working on Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a project that although long, will be a rewarding one. Guillermo’s beau ideals of great pianism are passion, commitment, and talent.
Natalia Garcia Ferreiro
Currently a piano Pre-Major as well as a psychology student, “Nazy” is one of the newest members to the world of piano playing. When asked why she was studying music, she replies, “Well, I began studying piano and then left it for awhile. When I came back to formal studies years later, I realized that this is something that I can do. I’m also greatly interested in education. I hope to combine these two aspects of piano performance and teaching.” She currently is studying piano works by Bach and Beethoven and will pursue the Music Major degree with extreme diligence.
Mr. Ibarra is currently studying both voice and piano at the University of Texas at El Paso. Although his studies first began in vocal performance, he could not shake his thirst for studying the great composers’ piano literature. Taking a class piano course with Dr. Jones, whereas he earned almost a perfect score during the first semester’s study, he constantly bombarded her with questions about piano works he was studying on his own. Common questions included, “How can I play this passage with more facility?” or “Do you think I can play this piece?” After solidifying some basic comprehension of scales, he offered a piano audition to the Piano Faculty in the Fall 2007 jury process. He Mr. Ibarra is currently studying both voice and piano at the University of Texas at El Paso. Although his studies first began in vocal performance, he could not shake his thirst for studying the great composers’ piano literature. Taking a class piano course with Dr. Jones, whereas he earned almost a perfect score during the first semester’s study, he constantly bombarded her with questions about piano works he was studying on his own. Common questions included, “How can I play this passage with more facility?” or “Do you think I can play this piece?” After solidifying some basic comprehension of scales, he offered a piano audition to the Piano Faculty in the Fall 2007 jury process. He passed the audition entry and currently is a double major of piano and voice.
Born in El Paso, Texas, Ms. Luna’s heritage is Mexican, of which she is proud. A recent graduate from Franklin High School, her principle music teacher was Mr. Ruben Reza. Of her teacher she writes, “He helped me succeed in my piano skills, and I am grateful for his teachings. I learned a Chopin Waltz for the first time, and I loved it. I was really happy with my progress. The ‘Minute Waltz’ is such a highly-known piece...I guess it just sticks in your mind. I have noticed I like reflective pieces as well, and that's why I would have to say I really enjoy all of Yann Tiersen's pieces. Yann Tiersen's music is incredibly unique, with emotions that are attached to every individual song he composed.” Currently working on Chopin's Prelude Op. 28, No.15, "Raindrops," Ms. Luna feels it is a beautifully dramatic piece. “I am looking forward to learning it completely, because although it is a tough piece for me, it is worth the practice. I am new to the world of music , so I have not worked for any piano studios, bands, musical theater, or any other groups affiliated with the teaching, performance, or promotion of music. But I sure would love to do so in the future!” Ms. Luna played in the orchestras in both her middle and high schools (seven years in total), where she played the violin. She is also currently in the UTEP Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Luna recalls one memorable performance two years ago. “I played a solo concert at the Chamizal Theatre in El Paso and played the violin part of "Schindler's List," by John Willams. A pianist accompanied me. It was a great experience, and I realized I loved performing, even though I had just done it one time. I think that was the day when I discovered that I wanted to study music for a really, really long time. But it was only just one year ago, when I woke up one day, and said, ‘If I'm always spending time practicing piano, why not practice it for the rest of my life?’ I soon came to realize that music was my passion. It is what makes my day, what gives me happiness in my life. That is why I am a musician because music makes up an enormous part of my life, and the best part is that I enjoy it so much.”
Jesse Marrott: Fall 2008, Freshman, Piano Performance
Previous Institution: BYU
Teacher: Dr. Dena Kay Jones
David Moreno was born in El Paso, Texas. He spent most of his life living in Mexico. He started his studies in piano as well as in vocal music in El Paso. After two years of formal training, he began to teach choir in the catholic seminary in Juárez, Mexico. Continuing his music studies at El Paso Community College and at the same time working as a piano accompanist for Gadsden High School in Anthony, New Mexico, David had the opportunity to travel to Winter Park, Colorado; Anaheim, California; and Las Vegas Nevada for different choral competitions. Currently he continues studying piano with Dr. Dena Kay Jones at the University of Texas at El Paso and working on the Bachelor of Music Education (emphasis piano) degree.
Enrique Ponce: Freshmen, Fall 2008, Degree Plan: Theory/Composition, hopeful
Principal Instrument: Piano
Teacher: Dr. Dena Kay Jones
Other instruments: clarinet
Marching Band
Jessica Portillo
Jessica Portillo’s enjoyment for the piano is what recently brought her renewed desire to take lessons with Dr. Jones, piano professor at the University of Texas at El Paso. She began lessons with Ms. Alex Redd in 1996 and ended in year 2000. That same year she decided to try a different instrument and learned the Bb clarinet and joined the Elementary Concert Band. All throughout her elementary, middle, and high school years she continued playing the Bb clarinet in the concert band at Bethel Christian School. In both years 2003 and 2005, Jessica joined the All-Region symphonic band with her Bb clarinet. In 2007 she decided to learn the Eb clarinet and placed second in the All-Area Finals. In late 2002, Jessica began to pick up piano again, but this time without instruction and with a new interpretation of the instrument. She began to play jazz in the middle school band. That year she played the piano with the All-Region Middle School Band. Since then, she continued her studies in piano in jazz and contemporary. Recently, she has been working on two pieces by the composer’s Chopin and Schumann. She enjoys music whichever angle it is looked at, and is eager to learn more about the studies of the piano!
Evelyn Rios was born in El Paso, TX, where she became interested in the piano at age six. At the age of nine she began her studies and since then she has enjoyed the piano. She is currently attending the University of El Paso Texas where she is studying to become a Civil Engineer, but because of the love of the piano she decided to minor in Piano Performance; where she is currently taking lessons with Dr. Jones. She received the prestigious Dodson Scholarship upon entering the Music Department in 2006. She also participates in the UTEP orchestra where she plays her violin. Evelyn competed in the Youth Symphony Concerto Competition with the piece Eclogue by Gerald Finzi. Striving to become a great musician, she is working efficiently and proficiently to reach this goal.
Born in El Paso, Mr. Sanchez began learning music at age ten with the Hawkins Elementary School Orchestra, where he was first-chair viola. He continued his viola studies for three more years with the Ross Middle School Orchestra, where he competed in solo and ensemble events as well as the EPISD Jazz Festival. After middle school in 1998, Mr. Sanchez’ study of music took a different turn when he picked up a new instrument--the guitar. He studied classical guitar at Burges High School for four years with Professor Nestor Arzola. During this time, Mr. Sanchez competed again in the EPISD Jazz Festival as well as solo and ensemble guitar events. After graduation in 2002, Mr. Sanchez continued his study of the guitar and played in various groups around the borderland in styles ranging from rock and reggae, to jazz and big band swing. Mr. Sanchez switched instruments yet again in 2004 while studying music theory at El Paso Community College. His chosen instrument this time was the piano, which he studied under Professors Ruth K. Moore and Fernando Lechuga. Upon receiving his Associate of Arts Degree from EPCC in 2006, Mr. Sanchez decided to continue his piano studies at the University of Texas at El Paso. He is currently working on his Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Music Performance, and he is studying piano under the care of Dr. Dena K. Jones. The eldest of two children, Mr. Sanchez is the first in his family to study at the university level, and the first member in his extended family to emerge as a musician. Aside from music, Mr. Sanchez also enjoys hiking, swimming, and watching movies. He is an avid collector of books and hopes to one day have a personal library of at least 500 volumes in subjects ranging from astronomy and psychology, to travel and cooking. His ultimate dream is to become a rock star and tour the world twice over (at least!), but for now he is quite content with his life as an everyday college student who spends his spare time with friends, family and his two dogs.
Candice Sierra is a sophomore at the University of Texas at El Paso and undergoing her first semester of university level piano studies with Dr. Jones. She has been interested in music since a very early age and began piano lessons at the age of nine. She joined band and choir in middle school and found that these were by far her favorite classes. Entering high school she was no longer taking piano lessons but became actively involved in marching band, jazz band, orchestra, and pep band. Her junior year of high school she embarked upon learning bassoon which only fueled her passion for music. Upon graduation however, Candice was still not sure if she wanted to pursue a career in music. After only one semester as a biology major, she decided she would never be happy unless she followed her heart in studying her one true passion: music. She is currently pursuing a degree in music education and to her delight finally able to continue her piano studies, along with studying bassoon. One day Candice would like to go on to graduate school to further her musical education and dreams of someday teaching at a university. For now however, she is happy being a college student and thrilled to finally be doing what she really loves.
Rodolfo was born in El Paso, Texas in 1984, and he didn't start to play the piano until the age of 18. He had his first piano lesson at the age of 19 with professor Juan de Dios in Cuidad Juarez, Chihuahua. Since the beginning he showed great interest in music composition and has written six complete piano pieces. In the year 2005, he composed and performed his original piano piece Midnight Sonata for his sister Jessica Urias, whereas she danced to it in the Festival Intercolegial in the Teatro Universitario in Juarez. In 2006 he participated in a hymn arrangement contest with a composition for piano and voice with the lyrics by published poet Father Lugo. This competition was sponsored by the dioceses of Cuidad Juarez. At the age of 21 he decided to continue his piano studies with Dr. Susan Beeheler at El Paso Community College as well as studying with Professor Fernie Lechuga in music composition. Today Rodolfo has declared business as his major at the University of Texas in El Paso, where he also currently studies piano with Dr. Dena Kay Jones.