Gustavo Romero

Mexican-American pianist Gustavo Romero has a stellar reputation for both the technical brilliance and interpretive depth of his playing, as well as his commitment to in-depth exploration of individual composers. Mr. Romero, a native of San Diego, California with heritage in Guadalajara, Mexico, discovered his love and gift for music at age of five, when being introduced to the piano of a neighbor. He started taking lessons and gave his first public performances at the age of 10, while also winning his first piano competition. His early teachers included Ilana Mysior.

Following a recommendation by Bohemian pianist Rudolf Serkin, Gustavo moved to New York City to attend, and graduate from, The Juilliard School. In 1983, he won the Avery Fisher Young Artist Career Grant, and in 1989 First Prize in the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland. In 2004, Dallas radio station WRR selected one of his concerts as the best performance of the year.

After five years as assistant professor at the University of Illinois/Champaign, Mr. Romero is now associate professor of piano at the University of North Texas. Highlights of the 2007/08 season include recitals and orchestral engagements in Bangkok, Taipei, Hong Kong and Italy, as well as a tour of South Africa including appearances with orchestras in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Hermanus and Mossel Bay. During this season, Mr. Romero will launch a complete three-year cycle of Beethoven sonatas in seven recitals in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Palm Springs, California. In December, he will present a series of recitals in Japan. With Koch records, Mr. Romero has recorded Chopin, Mompou, Debussy, and the five Beethoven concertos with the English Chamber Orchestra.