Gioconda Vasquez

Piano

Gioconda was born in Caracas, Venezuela and is part of a musical family. From an early age, she appeared in concerts as a soloist, and in chamber music performances with her brothers. In Venezuela, she studied at the music school “Jose Angel Lamas” in Carcas, her teacher was Judith Jaimes, a renowned pianist and soloist.

Gioconda obtained her Diploma of Professor and Piano Performance of the Ministry of Education of Venezuela. After this, she traveled to Germany with a grant from the Ministry and studied at the Musikhochschule of Saarland for 4 years under the guidance of Maestro and Concertist Walter Blankenheim. She also attended summer courses in Paris with Mme Magda Taglaiferro, and Therese Dussaut. She also spent time in Berlin, participating in master classes with the German Maestro and Concertist Klaus Schilde. Gioconda was the 1st Price Winner in the Munich International Competition. In 2017 she obtained a degree from University of Arts in Instrumental Symphonic Music from her home city of Caracas.

Gioconda traveled as a soloist with the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra performing in Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rico performing Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 (1981). She has also performed the Beethoven Triple Concerto for Violin, Piano & Cello with her brothers (1991), and was also a soloist on the pieces Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin with the Venezuela National Theater (1984) and premiered Isaac Albeniz Concierto Fantastico No. 1 with the Caracas Philharmonic Orchestra (1993).

She lives in Pittsburgh with her son and plays piano in various churches and with different groups in the area. She directs the Latin American Choir of Pittsburgh as well. Gioconda has over 15 years of teaching experience with students of all ages. She has taught in Venezuela and Pittsburgh.