Trester Festival for Latin American Music

Guest Artists

Argentinian pianist Daniela Salinas is distinguished by her musical personality. As a soloist and chamber musician, she regularly performs in main stages from Argentina and in halls from countries in America and Europe. She has performed the first Deutsche Grammophon’s Yellow Lounge in Latin America. With a vast repertoire, Ms. Salinas has sustained a keen interest in Latin American music. Ms. Salinas is a guest artist for master classes and concerts in several universities and schools of music in America. She currently holds the position of professor of piano at the National Superior Conservatory of Buenos Aires. Ms. Salinas recently published her new solo album, featuring Villa-Lobos’ piano pieces.

Oscar Macchioni

University of Texas, El Paso

A native of Chiapas Mexico, Glenda Courtois began piano studies at age nine, and made her debut with the UNAM Youth Symphony Orchestra at age fifteen in Mexico City. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music from University of Chiapas (UNICACH), a Master of Music degree and a Performer’s Certificate from Northern Illinois University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Arizona.  Dr. Courtois has been recipient of academic awards and scholarships, such as the Chiapas Medal from University of Chiapas, The Best Mexican Student Medal by “El Diario de México” newspaper, and the Outstanding Woman Award and Graduate Fellowship Award by Northern Illinois University. Dr. Courtois received her doctorate from the University of Arizona in 2017, where she studied piano under the tutelage of Dr. John Milbauer and Dr. Rex Woods, as well as conducting with Dr. Thomas Cockrell.  As a composer, her works have been performed in Mexico, Guatemala, the United States, France and Germany. Her teaching experience includes working as piano instructor in UNICACH, NIU Community School of the Arts and as teaching assistant in class piano at UA. Dr. Courtois served as music director at Dios con Nosotros Presbyterian Church in Chiapas for almost twelve years, and as accompanist of the Choraliers at Northminster Presbyterian Church from August 2015 to May 2017. Currently, Dr. Courtois is full-time faculty and coordinator of the graduate music program at UNICACH.