Carolina Santamaría - Colombia Choir Director 2003-2004 Born in Colombia on July 18, Carolina has been in Pittsburgh since the year 2000. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh, and works as a Graduate Student/Fellow Teacher at the same institution. Carolina loves tango and salsa dancing. She has been a member of choirs for more than 20 years. Sharon Rotuna - Pittsburgh, USA Musical Director and Conductor 2001-2003 Pittsburgh native, Sharon Rotuna is an active choral director, teacher, and performer. Under her direction, various choirs have performed in the United States, Canada, France and Ecuador. Her vast experience includes conducting Westminster College Women's Choir, adjunct professor of voice, assistant conductor of Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, and adjunct faculty member of Point Park University. As a performer she has been part of Duquesne University Chamber Singers, the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the Berkshire Choir Institute of Sheffield, MA, the St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church choirs, and St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church's choir. Ms. Rotuna is a graduate of Duquesne University, with a Bachelor and Master Degree in Music Education. Gabriel D'abruzzo - Pittsburgh, USA Assistant Musical Director and Accompanist 2001-2003 Gabriel D'abruzzo is an extraordinary gifted musician who began playing the piano at age 6. He attended the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Pittsburgh and later received a Bachelor and Master degrees from Duquesne University School of Music and the State University of New York in Paltz, NY. During his career, he has served as accompanist for the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, St. Martin Episcopal Church, the Duquesne University School of Music, and the Moon Area High School Choir. Gioconda Vásquez - Venezuela Musical Director 1999-2001 Gioconda Vásquez is an active pianist, teacher and lecturer. During the past several seasons she has performed solo, recital and chamber musical recitals, as well as conducted master classes and lectured in the best conservatories and colleges in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has honored Ms. Vásquez several times for being one of the country's foremost pianists, including the designation from 1981 to 1982 as the musical coordinator of the Secretary of Culture. She studied in Germany and France. She also has extensive experience in choir direction. Eric Dzugan - Pittsburgh, USA Conductor between 1998-1999 Mr. Dzugan received his Bachelor and Master degree in Music from Duquesne University. At Duquesne he was winner of the Pittsburgh Concert Society's Young Artists Competition. A multi-faceted musician, he enjoys giving solo piano and chamber music recitals. Mr. Dzugan was proud to be part of the gathering of cultures presented in El Coro Latinoamericano. Daniel Marchán - Venezuela Founder between 1997-1998 Mr. Marchán was the founder and first director of El Coro Latinoamericano. He was a 1987 prize winner in the prestigious Alirio Díaz International Guitar Competition in Caracas, Venezuela. He was a student of the renowned Venezuelan guitar composer Antonio Lauro. Mr. Marchán earned a Master of Music degree in Guitar Performance at Duquesne University, under the recognized pedagogues Dr. Aaron Shearer and Tom Kikta. As a soloist, Mr. Marchán has performed in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, New York, Toronto and Pittsburgh. In 1992, received an invitation to perform at the United Nations. He studied choir conducting with Dr. Brady Allred at Duquesne University.