NATALIA VANEGAS ESCOBAR
Memphis,TN
Summary
Bilingual collaborative pianist and educator with extensive experience in university-level accompaniment for vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles. Proficient in curriculum development and rehearsal planning, with a focus on adapting instruction to meet diverse learning needs. Co-director of the Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition, dedicated to promoting musical excellence through inclusive and versatile teaching methods.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Co-Director
Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition
Memphis, TN
08.2023 - Current
- Lead organizer for all aspects of the festival and competition.
- Responsibilities include venue coordination, scheduling, and competition logistics.
- Supported overall festival operations and communication with guest artists and adjudicators.
Collaborative Pianist
University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS
08.2022 - Current
- Serve as pianist for vocal and instrumental studios across departments.
- Regularly accompany lessons, area meetings, juries, and departmental events.
Adjunct Instructor of Collaborative Piano
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR
08.2021 - Current
- Collaborative pianist for student recitals, juries, and weekly studio performances.
- Performed with Jonesboro Chorale (Spring 2022) and provided recorded tracks for voice studios.
- Academic/Teaching Experience
Choir Collaborative Pianist
Minor Memorial United Methodist Church
Walls, MS
12.2018 - Current
- Serve as principal pianist for weekly services and rehearsals.
- Support choral and solo performances; often serve as substitute music director.
Piano Instructor
TIMPO – Temple Israel
Memphis, TN
02.2024 - 02.2025
- Delivered group lessons to adults and private lessons to students of all ages and levels.
- Created tailored lesson plans focused on piano as a leisure activity.
Conference Collaborative Pianist
South Central Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference (SCRTEC)
Memphis, TN
03.2024 - 03.2024
- Featured pianist for guest artist performances.
- Collaborated with leading national artists in recital and masterclass settings.
Adjunct Professor of Piano
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
Memphis, TN
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Provided individualized instruction to piano performance majors and led weekly studio classes.
Piano Instructor
Scheidt Extension Program
Memphis, TN
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Led weekly group lessons for adult learners in a community outreach setting.
- Emphasized creativity, expression, and musical literacy through personalized instruction.
Adjunct Instructor of Class Piano
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
Memphis, TN
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Taught class-piano and private lessons to non-majors, music business, and performance major students.
- Courses integrated keyboard skills, theory, and aural training to support well-rounded musicianship.
Graduate Assistant / Instructor of Record (Class Piano)
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
Memphis, TN
08.2018 - 05.2022
- Designed and taught class piano courses for undergraduate students.
- Played a key role in developing curriculum for Musicianship I–II, aligning keyboard skills with broader theoretical concepts.
Graduate Assistant / Choir Accompanist
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
Memphis, TN
08.2017 - 05.2018
- Principal accompanist for University Singers and Chamber Choir.
- Rehearsed and performed under the direction of faculty conductors for concerts and university events.
Scheduling Coordinator
Pianissimo Foundation
Medellín, Colombia
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Coordinated scheduling for events and activities within the Pianissimo Foundation.
- Managed communication between staff, volunteers, and participants for program logistics.
Piano Instructor
Escuela Musical Amadeus
Medellín, Colombia
01.2012 - 01.2017
- Taught private and group piano lessons to students from early childhood to pre-college.
- Focused on exam preparation, competition readiness, and long-term musical development.
- Organized recitals and led pre-reading classes for children.
Education
Doctor of Musical Arts - Piano Performance, Music Theory Cognate
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN05-2025
Master of Music - Piano Performance
University of Memphis
Memphis, TN05-2019
Bachelor of Music - Piano Performance
Universidad De Antioquia
Medellín, Colombia04-2017
Skills
Collaborative performance with vocalists, instrumentalists, and ensembles
Strong knowledge and application of music theory and aural skills
Lesson planning and curriculum development for group and private instruction
Event coordination and festival planning
Versatility in classical, Latin American, and popular genres, including salsa
Bilingual instruction (English and Spanish)
Affiliations
· “Beyond tradition: Colombian preludes for piano by Guillermo Uribe Holguín”
College Music Society 2025 International Conference, Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia. Solo recital.
· “Influencia Francesa en la Música Colombiana: Los Preludios de Adolfo Mejía y Guillermo Uribe Holguín” Encuentro de Pianistas de Costa Rica, San Juan, Costa Rica Lecture-Recital, January 2024
· NCKP Celebration Concerts, 2023 The National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Main Conference, Lombard, IL Featured Solo Performance
· Mahogany Chamber Series Collaborative performance with the Mahogany Ensemble, curated by Yamaha Artist Artina McCain. Conductor: Dr. Armand Hall. January 2025 – Crosstown Theater, Memphis, TN
· SCRTEC: South Central Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference Guest collaborative pianist for performances with Jorge Gauvin Caravallo, 2023 Falcone Tuba-Artist Winner, Dr. James Land, Turner Gray, and Dr. Chasse Duplantis. March 2024 – Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, Memphis, TN
· EAFIT Symphony Orchestra: Una Velada Triple Performed Beethoven's Triple Concerto with Ana Maria Trujillo and Camilo Uribe. Conductor: Jose Escandel. August 2022 – Auditorio Fundadores, Medellín, Colombia
· Festival Internacional de Música CIMA Guest artist recital and masterclass. October 2020 – Online (Manizales, Colombia)
Awards
- Feb 2023: Tiger Tank music business idea competition, first place
- June 2021: PRCPI International Collaborative Piano Competition, Finalist, Puerto Rico
- March 2021: University of Memphis Concerto Competition, Winner.
- November 2020: Pianissimo Festival and Competition, Second place.
- June 2020: Costa Rica Piano Festival Online Competition, First Place
- September 2019: Teatro Colon National Piano Competition, Finalist.
- March 2019: Beethoven club Competition, Third place, senior category.
Accomplishments
· Feb 2023: Tiger Tank music business idea competition, first place
· June 2021: PRCPI International Collaborative Piano Competition, Finalist, Puerto Rico
· March 2021: University of Memphis Concerto Competition, Winner.
· November 2020: Pianissimo Festival and Competition, Second place.
· June 2020: Costa Rica Piano Festival Online Competition, First Place
· September 2019: Teatro Colon National Piano Competition, Finalist.
· March 2019: Beethoven club Competition, Third place, senior category.
Publications
· Preludios Colombianos (Album) A recording of solo piano works by Colombian composers Adolfo Mejia and Guillermo Uribe Holguín. Released 2025
· Becoming (Album) Featured Collaborative Pianist on “Composite Portrait” by Alessandro Adamo. Album by Evan Erickson (clarinet) & Becca Tank (saxophone). Released May 2024
· Preludios Colombianos: A Recording Project of the Piano Preludes by Adolfo Mejía and the Preludes Op. 48 and Op. 56 by Guillermo Uribe Holguín Doctor of Musical Arts Dissertation in Piano Performance, University of Memphis. Published 2025
Timeline
Conference Collaborative Pianist
South Central Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference (SCRTEC)
03.2024 - 03.2024
Piano Instructor
TIMPO – Temple Israel
02.2024 - 02.2025
Adjunct Professor of Piano
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
09.2023 - 12.2023
Piano Instructor
Scheidt Extension Program
09.2023 - 12.2023
Co-Director
Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition
08.2023 - Current
Collaborative Pianist
University of Mississippi
08.2022 - Current
Adjunct Instructor of Class Piano
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
08.2022 - 05.2023
Adjunct Instructor of Collaborative Piano
Arkansas State University
08.2021 - Current
Choir Collaborative Pianist
Minor Memorial United Methodist Church
12.2018 - Current
Graduate Assistant / Instructor of Record (Class Piano)
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
08.2018 - 05.2022
Graduate Assistant / Choir Accompanist
Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music
08.2017 - 05.2018
Scheduling Coordinator
Pianissimo Foundation
01.2014 - 01.2017
Piano Instructor
Escuela Musical Amadeus
01.2012 - 01.2017
Doctor of Musical Arts - Piano Performance, Music Theory Cognate
University of Memphis
Master of Music - Piano Performance
University of Memphis
Bachelor of Music - Piano Performance
Universidad De Antioquia
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