Teacher Profile: Deyanis Velozo

About Deyanis Velozo

Deyanis Teresita Velozo Milanès embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 3 when she joined the "Little Singers," a children's choir. By the age of 9, she officially began her music studies at the Benny Moré Vocational School of Art in Cienfuegos, Cuba, specializing in the bassoon. During her time at the school, she also received instruction in complementary piano, singing, music theory, music appreciation, and more. Deyanis actively participated in various ensembles, including bands, choirs, and orchestras, enriching her musical education.

After completing 5 years of elementary training, Deyanis successfully passed a selection process and continued her studies at the ENA National School of Art in Havana, still focusing on the bassoon. At the ENA, she had the privilege of attending master classes conducted by renowned musicians from different countries and specialties. Deyanis was involved in the Old Music Workshop led by the esteemed group Ars Longa, and she performed with the Symphony Orchestra of the ENA, the Youth Symphony Orchestra José Martí, as well as other formations like duos, trios, quartets, and quintets. These diverse experiences exposed her to a wide range of genres, from classical to popular music.

Upon graduating from middle level education, Deyanis began her social service as a professor of bassoon and complementary piano at the Benny Moré Vocational School of Art. She also contributed to the recruitment process for new students. In addition to her teaching commitments, she actively participated in various groups and ensembles, including Avantti (a classical wind quintet), Ensemble Concertante, the Professional Choir Singers of Cienfuegos, and Collage (a female quartet specializing in popular music, where she played the keyboard). She also had the privilege of performing with the Concert Sur Chamber Orchestra, accompanied by the renowned pianist Frank Fernández.

In recent years, Deyanis had the opportunity to share the stage with outstanding Cuban musicians. She performed as a singer and bassoonist in Luis Alberto Barbería's band, Fígaro's Jazz Club, and collaborated with renowned trumpeter Thommy Lowry Garcia on a musical production, sharing the recording with notable musicians such as Andy Garcia and Eduardo Sandoval. Deyanis was also a vocalist for the Musical Dancer Company Fumezcu, under the musical direction of Coqui Calzadilla, a talented clarinetist and saxophonist. During her time with the company, she had the privilege of performing alongside esteemed musicians like Vania Borges, Tony Lugones, Andy Garcia, and Yandy Garcia.

In recent years, Deyanis joined the concert band "10 October" in Havana, Cuba, and took part in the first bassoon reed construction workshop held at the National School of Art and the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory. The workshop was led by Jesus Angel Spanish, a bassoon professor from Tenerife, Canary Islands.