" We never stop learning; our life is a fountain of knowledge that must be continuously fed" Claudio Arrau

Marianela Santurio, world-renowned, Cuban-American pianist, is a great believer in the words of Claudio Arrau. She began studying piano as a child in her native homeland of Cuba. At the age of five, she performed on national television with Cuban composer, Ernesto Lecuona. Since that time, Ms. Santurio has spent her lifetime polishing and perfecting her artistry, thus leading to an impressive array of performances and accolades throughout the United States and Europe.

Ms. Santurio, a passionate interpreter of Contemporary music, has won the admiration of Cuban composers with whom she had the pleasure of collaborating and premiering their work world-wide. These include the compositions of Alfredo Diez Nieto, Marco Rizo, Tania Leon , Danilo Aviles, Olga de Blanck, Paquito D Rivera, Maria Emma Botet, and Alejandro Garcia Caturla. These composers’ works have been brought to life with the artistic insight of Santurio.

An exponent of the Spanish classical masters as well, Santurio has received high praises for her interpretations of Granados, Albeniz and rarely performed masterpieces such as the Chopin Variations by Mompou. A frequent guest of international venues such as Spain’s Queen Sofia Center for the Diffusion of Contemporary Music, the Juan March Foundation, the Prado Museum, the Culture Houses of Gijon, Spain, The Mexican Consulate in Asturias, The University of Axarquia , The Center of European Superior Studies (CEES) and the Chilean Consulate in Ottawa, Canada, Ms Santurio transfixes audiences with her powerful performances.

As a guest of the Contemporary Music Festival in Segovia, Santurio premiered the work of various composers who were present for the performance, such as Consuelo Diez, and was awarded a standing ovation.

Invited by the University of Malaga, Spain to direct a piano festival, she received recognition and tribute for her eloquence and teaching principles.

Ms. Santurio made her New York debut at Renee Weiler Hall at Carnegie Hall, playing an all-classical program. The New York Times’ Joseph Horowtiz heralded Ms. Santurio as a "...pianist with intense passion and vitality....dominates the keyboard…".

Her piano-lecture recitals are presented at Molloy College and SUNY Old Westbury in Long Island, Hofstra University, Brooklyn College, and Steinway Hall. The New York State Council on the Arts sponsors her innovative performances to audiences in Long Island.

Santurio’s most recent engagements include performances in Cadiz, Spain, representing Cuban Music at the International Congress on Cuban Culture. A lifelong student, Santurio receives coaching from German Diez, a disciple of Arrau.

"...the Cuban pianist breathes life into the music resulting in a beautiful and expressive interpretation...the foremost specialist in the classical chapter of Cuban music".
- Luis Hidalgo Martin, Norte de Castilla, Spain

"...pianist with an unforgettable singing touch...."
- Garcia del Busto, ABC, Madrid Spain

"...this pianist dominates the keyboard with intense passion and vitality"
- Joseph Horowitz, New York Times

".....her velvet sound accompanied by her fastidious musicianship, along with her great musicality, gave us a memorable performance"
- Joseph Wooton

"...Ms. Santurio plays my music the way I imagined it"
- A. Diez Nieto

"...great interpretation, very well though out, Marianela plays exactly the way I want my music interpreted"
- Consuelo Diez

"...thank you for championing my music"
- Tania Leon

"...thank you for playing my music"
- Paquito D Rivera

..."you did it, you played it, and I enjoyed every minute of your interpretation of Baraunda..."
- Danilo Aviles