Coaches.
María Salas
María Antonieta Salas, a Venezuelan cellist, conductor, and educator, is highly regarded in South Florida. She directs the International School of Music (ISM) and founded the Miami Youth Orchestra and Choir (MYO). Trained under "El Sistema" in Caracas and guided by mentors like Marek Gazhler and Yuli Turovsky, she's a respected teacher offering orchestral programs and private lessons. Her students excel locally and globally. Salas also serves as a visiting Teaching Artist at Miami Dade’s Honors Orchestra and has performed with renowned artists, currently playing in the cello section of the Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO) under maestro Eduardo Marturet.
Director & Cello Coach
Andreina Kasper
Latin-American vocalist, cellist, pianist, and pedagogue Andreina Kasper began her formal music training under her mother, María Antonieta Salas, at the age of twelve years old. She attended the prestigious New World School of the Arts in Miami, where she studied cello under Aaron Merrit.
A dedicated teacher, she has been instructing piano, cello and voice for over 12 years. Several of her vocal students have participated in competitions such as The Voice Kids, America’s Got Talent (Golden Buzzer-Angelina Green), and the Big Dreams Competition in Miami.
José Antonio Guédez
Born in San Felipe, Venezuela, he started playing violin at 8, mentored by Samuel Parra. He continued his training with various instructors and attended summer courses by the Latin American Violin Academy.
He holds a degree in Music Education from UPEL. He's played with orchestras like the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and toured internationally. Currently based in Miami, he collaborates with orchestras like Space Coast Symphony Orchestra and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. He's also a member of Kameristika Chamber Orchestra and Exodus Quartet, recently receiving an Emmy Award for his work on "The Jackie Gleason Show".
Zulgui Concepcion
Born in Punto Fijo, Venezuela, she started violin early and joined youth orchestras. After playing with the Falcón State Symphony Orchestra, she taught and mentored for over eighteen years.
Collaborating with conductors like Gustavo Dudamel, she performed solo with the Falcón Symphony Orchestra, showcasing works by Vivaldi, Bach, and others.
In 2021, she moved to Miami, volunteering at the Miami Youth Orchestra. Recognized for her work, she became a fellow of the foundation's main tutors in 2022, focusing on nurturing new talent.
Moana Fujiwara
Moana Fujiwara, a sixteen-year-old Japanese American violinist and pianist, began her musical journey at age three under Artistic Director Maria Salas and piano instructor Andreina Kasper. She's performed at Carnegie Hall and the Young Bohemia Prague Festival.
In 2018, she won the Young Talent Big Dreams Competition in piano. As a vital member of the Miami Youth Orchestra, she's served as a soloist and coach, enhancing the orchestra's sound in various concerts and rehearsals.
Aleksandre Roderick-Lorenz
Aleksandre Roderick-Lorenz, a Venezuelan violist, conductor, columnist, and educator, began his musical journey with "El Sistema" in Caracas. He's a versatile musician, serving as a soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. Currently, he's a member of the Miami Symphony Orchestra (MISO) and principal violist of the Lyrica Boston Chamber Orchestra. He also leads the viola section of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Summer Philharmonic. Roderick-Lorenz has collaborated with numerous artists and performed worldwide, including appearances at prestigious events and awards shows. As a sought-after teacher, he has contributed to various music festivals and educational institutions, including ViolaFest and Miami Dade College Honors Music Festival.
Modesto Marcano
Modesto Marcano Modesto Marcano studied at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory in Venezuela and Duquesne University In Pittsburgh PA, USA. Marcano is Principal Violist at the Kravis Pops Orchestra in Palm Beach Florida and Violist of Stratus4 Quartet. As a freelancer Violist he performs with many Artists and Orchestras such as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Southwest Florida Symphony, Joshua Bell, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Michael Feinstein, and Luke Frazier among many others
Guest Conductor
Jany Serrate
Jany Serrate is a musician and educator with 18 years of teaching experience. Born in Havana, Cuba, her love of music started very young, listening to the beautiful instruments and melodies from her hometown. This love was further solidified when she witnessed the grandiose orchestra in Havana, falling in love with the clarinet and joining as many music ensembles as possible.
She received her Bachelor of Music Degree in 2009 from the University of Arts in Cuba, majoring in music performance on clarinet. After graduating, she performed with the Miami Symphony Orchestra and Miami Lyric Opera. She has been coaching in the Miami Youth Orchestra since 2019.
David Fernandez Zaldivar
David Fernandez Zaldivar started violin studies in Santiago de Cuba at age 8 and performed with the Santiago Symphony Orchestra at 9. By 11, he won first place in an Ibero-American contest. Moving to Miami in 2007, he continued studying at New World School of the Arts and Miami Conservatory of Music. Graduating in 2012, he joined the Miami Symphony Orchestra and later graduated from Miami Dade College in 2020. Currently teaching at the Miami Conservatory of Music and coaching the Miami Youth Orchestra, he's performed as a soloist with various orchestras and collaborated with renowned artists like Andrea Bocelli and Plácido Domingo. Additionally, he's pursuing singing lessons to become an operatic baritone.
Naomy Valbuena
Naomy Valbuena is a Latin-American Vocalist , choreographer , educator. Naomy has been a performer her whole life. She started recording , dancing , and singing at the age of 5 and hasnt stopped since. Naomy has been professionally singing for 5 years under positive music production. Underneath positive music production she has done over 3,000 individual performances and has sang at some of Miami’s most important facilities. As an educator shes choreographed and lead a choir program as well as Teach children about distinct forms of engineering through hands-on activities (such as individual coding).
Vocal and choreography Coach
Jose Iglesias
Johannes Fraga
Johannes, the esteemed Cuban piano professor and flautist, whose musical journey spans over two decades of teaching and performing. Not only is he a master of the piano and flute, but he also holds the esteemed title of professor of flute. Johannes's expertise extends beyond the classroom as he has directed numerous church and school performances, showcasing his versatility and leadership in guiding both instrumentalists and vocalists. His passion for music and dedication to education have left an indelible mark on the musical landscape, inspiring generations of students to explore the depths of their musical potential.