Ruben Pelaez

Born in Camaguey, Cuba, in 1963, Ruben Pelaez began piano lessons with his mother at the age of six and then continued his music studies at the Provincial School of Fine Arts in Camaguey, graduating in 1980. He was awarded a scholarship at the High Institute of Art of Havana where he took courses and master classes with virtuoso pianists Jorge Luis Pratt, Roberto Urbay, Frank Fernandez, Silvio Rodriguez and Harold Gramatge. In 1988 he received his masterÆs degree in music. While in Cuba, Pelaez took First Prize in 1976 in CamagueyÆs Alejandro Garcia Caturla Piano Competition and First Honorable Mention at the National Competition in Havana. In 1982 he won Second Prize in HavanaÆs High Institute of Art Piano Competition.