Lilian Vazquez begins to study music at the age of 9 in Barcelona, showing an special talent for music in general which leads her to obtain several diplomas: Piano, Music Theory, Chamber Music and Guitar. In 2000 she meets the Argentinian pedagogue Sebastian Colombo, with who she will study for 3 years. During this years Lilian offers many performances as a pianist, guitarrist and harpsichordist.
In 2004 she moves to Utrecht where she begins to study with the famous American pianist Alan Weiss (silver-medal in Queen Elisabeth International Competition) and she graduates with the highest mark. In those years she wins the 3rd prize in the "13 Arjau International Competition" (2008), the 1st in the "II International Music Competition Felip Pedrell" (2009) and several scholarships from the CEP (Centro de Estudios Pianisticos, Barcelona) to participate in Masterclasses by pianists and musicians of international prestige such as Jordi Mora, Tensy Kristman, Vladislav Bronevetsky, Iván Cítera, Alan Weiss, Josep Colom, Alicia de Larrocha, Paul Badura-Skoda, Albert Atenelle, Eliso Virsalatzde, Maria Rosa Oubiña de Castro, etc.
During the study of the Master of Music she meets Carol Ruiz in the Utrecht Conservatorium and they found a Quatremains ensemble, the ‘Piscis Duo’.
Carol Ruiz
Carol was born in Barcelona (Spain). She began music studies in the Conservatory of Badalona at the age of 9 with Gloria Miquel. Later she become student from Nati Cubells and finished the Bachelor in Performance, Chamber music and Notation with the highest qualifications.
After obtaining her diploma she become student of Maria Fernanada Nuñez, important Argentinean pianist and pedagogue established in Brussels who introduced her to Alan Weis and motivated her to move to Utrecht to study the Bachelor in Hooghschool voor de Kusnten Utrehct (HKU) with the great American pianist. Carol Ruiz got the highest grades in her Bachelor and receamtly she finished her master of music diploma.
She had offered solo recitals around Spain, in several halls in Barcelona, Girona, Sitges, Benicarlo and Vinaros. She also joined chamber music concerts with Trio Faustus and Trio Montsalvatge. Currently she is member of the Piano Duo Piscis (with Lilian Vazquez) with which she has an active concert activity.
She has taken several Mastercourses about piano performance, piano technique and piano pedagogy with great and important pianists like Nelson Goerner, Elsa Puppulo, Pietro de Maria, Josep MºColom, Suzanne Bradbury, Alexis Golovin, Karin Merle, Maria Rosa Oubiña de Castro, Sebastian Colombo, Claudio Martinez Menher and so on..
Carol Ruiz has also been interested in the pedagogical aspect of her instrument, and proef of it is 10 years of teaching experience. She has been piano teacher in several Music Schools in Barcelona, Vilassar de Mar and Corbera de Llobregat. Also, she work as accompanist for strings and singers in the Music School from Palau de la Musica in Barcelona and in the Conservatory of Badalona (only cellos).
Alan Weiss wrote about her << [..]As her piano professor for the past several years at HKU, I can surely attest to her great learning and evolving powers of both musicianship and technique. Moreover, and most importantly, she has at the root of her musicality a harmonious personality and warm communication given to very few. Truly a 'blessed spirit' for music![...]>>