Jr Medina Romero ’25 (Master of Music in Performance) partnered with Alfonso Hernández to co-organize the Festival-Concurso de Piano “Luis Felipe Arias,” an emerging piano festival and competition in Guatemala. The event was dedicated entirely to the art of the piano, organized by pianists for pianists. It celebrated the artistic spirit, offering an invaluable opportunity to update techniques, ideas, and interpretations, and to strengthen national and global connections within the piano community.
“It was an honor for us to host high-caliber artists, psychologists, and doctors of musical arts specializing in piano, who enriched this event with their knowledge and passion,” said Medina.
This initiative was not merely a competition; it was a celebration of Guatemalan piano literature and an endeavor to uplift a rich musical heritage. Medina served as the executive director and Hernández as the development director for the festival.
“Some of the most beautiful aspects we have found throughout this journey are the bridges created around art and the human connections formed around a collective intention to create beauty,” continued Medina. “These connections highlight the transformative power of music, which enriches individual lives and fosters social cohesion and community development.”
The Concurso-Festival de Piano “Luis Felipe Arias” was a weeklong program dedicated to enhancing pianists’ skills in artistry, performance psychology, and pedagogy, while integrating Guatemalan piano compositions as a central component of the activities. The event featured masterclasses, workshops, lectures, piano solo and orchestra performances, and a competition judged by distinguished national and international artists. It offered pianists invaluable opportunities for performance and educational growth with a mission to foster the development of piano performance in Guatemala.
The goals of the initiative were threefold: to (1) create educational and performance opportunities for Guatemala’s top emerging pianists; (2) incorporate Guatemalan piano works into the standard national repertoire; and (3) establish partnerships with leading national and global educational and cultural institutions.
The weeklong event involved over 200 participants from various locations, including Comalapa, Chiquimula, and Guatemala City. International attendees came from Colombia and the United States of America, as well as Costa Rica, Cuba, and Panama. Participants represented top music institutions nationwide, including the Conservatorio Nacional “Germán Alcántara,” Centro de Formación Integral de Guatemala (CEFIGUA), Centro Musical Base, Denise Menes Pianista, Escuela Superior de Artes de la Universidad de San Carlos, and Saraswati Escuela de Música, among others.
“We feel inspired and hopeful witnessing young talents refining their artistry with dedication
and enthusiasm,” said Medina. “By investing in these young musicians, we are nurturing Guatemalan music’s future and helping preserve its rich cultural heritage. Ongoing support can transform the lives of these talented pianists and ensure the continued vitality of our musical legacy.”
Medina’s project was supported in part by a Student Development Grant from the Shenandoah Conservatory’s Dean’s Circle.
Photos by Nora Escoto Melgar
