Bio
Pianist Maria Letona Holloway is a native of El Salvador. She began taking music lessons with her grandfather when she was five years old. She studied with her grandfather until the age of 12, culminating her studies by presenting a recital on national television. Soon after, Maria Letona Holloway arrived to the United States and settled in the city of New Orleans, where she attended Loyola University Music Preparatory under the tutelage of Barbara Rose. During those years, she successfully participated in numerous recitals, festivals and competitions. As a first prizewinner, she performed as soloist with the New Orleans Philharmonic, the New Orleans Civic Orchestra, and the Lake Charles Symphony. The Mayor of New Orleans also awarded her the keys to the city. Letona then moved to Boston and after receiving several lessons from pianist and teacher, Gary Fisher, was urged and inspired by him to audition to the New England Conservatory of Music. Holloway was accepted and later received her Bachelor and Masters with distinction in Piano Performance. She studied with Leonard Shure, Stephen Drury and Randall Hodgkinson. During her studies in Boston, she participated in numerous performances and recitals and had the opportunity to coach under internationally known composers such as John Cage and Giorgy Ligeti
Maria Holloway culminated her formal studies with Dr. J.B. Floyd at the University of Miami Frost School of Music where she received her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree. During her studies, she was the concerto competition winner, was selected along a small group of students to present a series of recitals in several cities in Italy, and was very active as a solo and chamber performer. Her interest in contemporary music led her to participate in various festivals dedicated to this genre such as the SubTropics Festivals and the 609 Series. Holloway also performed a recital where she premiered works that were dedicated to her by several prominent composers in the Miami area including Dennis Kam, John Van der Slice, JB Floyd and Thomas Sleeper. This recital was broadcast on the then classical radio station, WTMI. The subject of Maria Letona Holloway's doctoral thesis was the collection of piano works by Cuban composer, Rene Touzet (1916-2003). She has released a CD with a selection of Touzet's works and published an article on this subject in the April 2005 issue of Clavier magazine. The CD has gained favorable reviews by the press and has been broadcast in several radio stations in the US and abroad
Holloway’s performances have been described as "..played with power and passion and impressive technique." (Palm Beach Post), "a pianist of great musical talent, her prodigious hands transform each composition into a masterpiece." (Diario Las Americas), "Letona's virtuosity was thrilling.." (Sun Sentinel), " Maria Letona [Holloway] not only has great technique, but also owns a great gift of interpretation. She is always faithful to the music but at the same time permits herself to explore through the many melodic and harmonic possibilities..."(El Nuevo Herald). Impressive! This, and no other is the description of the fine recital Maria Letona [Holloway] presented last night.It is apparent that this Salvadoran pianist carries in her veins an intense musical calling.(Washington Hispanic).
Maria Letona Holloway continues to be active as a soloist, chamber player and collaborative pianist.Latest performances include: recitals in Washington DC, an engagement at the United Nations building in New York City, a solo recital in Gusman Hall (University of Miami), several recitals in McCarthy Auditorium (Miami Dade College), as a participant for a performance of Eric Satie’s Vexations at the Carnival Center, at Festival Miami with the Frost Symphony Orchestra in Miami’s Arsht Center, and numerous other engagements as a collaborative pianist/ accompanist.
Maria Letona Holloway resides in the city of Miami with her husband and two children.
