Praised by (Puerto Rico) El Nuevo Día for
"possessing a sound technique and great
musicality." Alma Batista, Pianist
Biography
Updated by April 23, 2000
Praised by (Puerto Rico) El Nuevo Día for
"possessing a sound technique and great
musicality."
Puerto Rican pianist Alma Batista combines unique Hispanic and traditional classical repertoires in her recitals. Ms. Batista was one of the finalists at 1995's Carmel Music Society Piano Competition. She made her orchestra debut playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.1 with the Community Music Center Orchestra in San Francisco, California, under the direction of Urs Leonhardt-Steiner.
Ms. Batista began her musical studies in her native country, Puerto Rico, and later entered the Conservatory of Music where she studied with doña Cecilia Talavera. She later transferred to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. She has studied at the Interlochen Art Academy and the Aspen Music Festival. Additionally Ms. Batista took master classes in London with Mrs. Joan Havill and Mrs. Caroline Palmer in 1995.
After completing her Master of Music degree, Ms. Batista taught in her private studio and at the San Francisco Community Music Center for five years, while pursuing her solo career. She enjoys collaborating with other artists when time permits.
In August 1996, Ms. Batista moved to Santa Barbara after being awarded a full Fellowship towards her Doctor of Musical Arts degree, in piano performance, at the University of California; where she studies with international pianist, Mr. Paul Berkowitz.
In addition to her doctorate studies, Ms. Batista continues to pursue her career as a concert pianist and performs regularly in California and Puerto Rico. She plans to have her doctorate course work completed by June 1998 and looks forward to writing her dissertation while continuing on her career path.
Other principal teachers include: Mrs. Barbara Shearer, Mr. Mack McCray, Mrs. Edith Oppens and doña Cecilia Talavera.
Repertoire Includes:
Italian Concerto by J.S. Bach Valses nobles et Sentimentales by Ravel
Mozart Sonatas Book I of the Suite Iberia by Albéniz
Beethoven Sonatas Rachmanioff Etudes
Wanderer Fantasy by Schubert Impressões Seresteiras by Villa-Lobos
Chopin Etudes and Waltzes Danzas Argentinas by Ginastera
Brahms' Four Ballades, Op. 10 Prelude and Fugue by Friedrich Gulda
Mephisto Waltz and Funerailles by Liszt Puerto Rican Danzas