Piano

Education

Gabriel received his Ph.D. in Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art from the Universidad de Sevilla and M.M. in Piano Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory. He has received many Title’s of Professor including one in piano, French horn, music theory and a title of superior processor in piano all from the Conservatorio Superior de Malaga (Spain). He completed summer courses in interpretation of Music, Music History and Analysis at Yale University and summer courses in Composition and Film Scoring at New York University Steinhard.

Performance and Teaching Experience

Gabriel has given solo piano, chamber music and collaborative piano recitals throughout the United States, Europe and Latin American countries. He has performed as concerto soloist with orchestras in the U.S., Spain and Latin American countries. He can be heard on his CDs “Live at Armstrong Concert Hall” and “Piano Favorites.”

Gabriel has been on faculty at the Pablo Ruiz-Picasso Conservatory in Malaga, Spain, with the piano department at Shenandoah Conservatory and was visiting Professor at the Universidad de Sevilla, Spain.

One of his compositions, “Magnificat in D Major” for choir, four vocal soloists, piano and orchestra was commissioned and premiered by the University of Sevilla Symphonic Choir and Orchestra in 2013. Gabriel also composes works for the stage, piano solo, chamber ensembles, vocal ensembles, orchestra, short films and documentaries.

He is currently the organist for The Cathedral of St. Matthews in Washington D.C.

At Levine

Gabriel has been on the Levine faculty since the Fall of 1996 where he teaches piano and Piano Performance Class.

“The school environment provides a large variety of support courses and activities for students interested in developing their musicianship outside of private instruction. Theory courses, performance classes, student recitals, competitions, jam sessions are all offered under the same umbrella.”

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

“My approach to teaching is to create a relaxed environment where the student feels comfortable and stimulated to learn and create music in the studio. I strongly encourage students to analyze the music they are learning and know how music is created, rather than simply reproduce the notes on the paper. I encourage students to improvise at the piano and to learn chord notation, even those in classical tradition. I keep my lessons highly organized with two notebooks, the student notebook with student’s notes on what to prepare and how, and the teacher notebook which helps me prepare any additional material required for the following lesson.”

Personal

Website
Video Clips

When not teaching, performing or composing, Gabriel enjoys sea-kayaking in the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay, biking on trails in the DC area and running.