Hello!
Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I was surrounded by a family full of musicians and piano tuners. I always dreamed of being a piano teacher. It has always been my passion! While I had many great teachers, I had one very strict and boring instructor and vowed never to teach like that. I plan each lesson so it will be engaging, fun and full of learning. My other interests are reading, going to concerts, photography and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather with my family and pets.
About the Teacher
Cristiana began playing the piano at a very young age. Her parents were both accomplished musicians. Her mother, a psychologist and music therapist, gave her insight into how powerful music can be in shaping a child's mind. Her father was a minister, pianist and choir conductor. While still young, some of her accomplishments were placing first in the "Best Bach Interpretation" category at the CSN piano competition in Volta Redonda, RJ Brazil, a two-time first place winner at Maringa regional competition and honorable mention at the Paulo Giovanini National piano competition.
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She completed her bachelor's degree in Sacred Music and piano performance at the Baptist Theological Seminary Southern Brazil (Seminário Teológico Batista do Sul do Brasil), one of the few to receive a perfect score on her final piano recital. She also studied under Tamara Ujakova at the University Federal do Rio de Janeiro. While working as a music director for the First Baptist Church of Resende, Rio de Janeiro, she moved to the United States after receiving a full scholarship to study with world-renowned pianist Daisy de Luca Jaffe. Mrs. Jaffe's teachings profoundly impacted her piano playing and teaching. Daisy de Luca was a former student of Magda Tagliaferro, whose musical lineage includes Alfred Cortot and Émile Decombes who was a student of Frédéric Chopin. Cristiana has a strong interest in piano pedagogy, particularly for students with learning disabilities, a field close to her heart. She is currently working on the graduate program in music education for special needs students at the University of Arkansas.
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Cristiana was the accompanist for the First Presbyterian Church in Palmetto from 2017 to 2019. She has been teaching piano for more than 25 years, is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and performs as an accompanist for soloists in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Contact
Please feel free to text, call or email me to schedule a FREE evaluation to meet and discuss your musical goals.
813-508-8465