Teacher Profile: Maria Torres

About Maria Torres

Maria grew up in a family with a tradition of music, and at the age of 3, she began piano lessons with her mom Luisa Tello. In 1990, Maria took dual enrollment music courses at Xavier Pontifical University in Bogota, Colombia while finishing high school. In 1998, Maria got a degree in music as a Teacher of Music – Pianist from Xavier Pontifical University, under the guidance of professor Radostina Petkova. Then in 2000, she did a Pre-Doctorate in Music at the Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain.

As part of the curriculum of her bachelor’s in music, Maria performed recitals every month in different venues. Between 1990 and 1998, Maria had the experience performing piano and chamber music recitals at the Luis Carlos Galan Auditorium, Goethe German Institute, ECI, Chia City Hall, and others.

In 1992, Maria began her career as a piano teacher at the Anglo Colombian School in Bogota. She had students from pre-school to high school and prepared them for two annual concerts performed at William Shakespeare Cultural Center. Maria gave piano lessons in her students' homes as a freelance teacher, teaching more than 20 students per week. She had the great experience to work in the following music academies and pre-schools, among others: La Escala Musical, Charito Acuna Academy, Happy Bees Kindergarden, and Tempo Musical in Madrid, Spain.

Music is Maria's passion! The piano has been present all the time in her life, and teaching music and transmitting this passion is what she enjoys the most. Her main goal is to make students enjoy music, love playing piano and make music part of their lives. She believes that everybody can learn and enjoy playing an instrument, no matter their age or condition. Maria has had the pleasure to teach students with learning, cognitive, and physical disabilities.