Estefania Nunez Villamandos

Estefania Núñez Villamandos is a Cuban pianist, composer, and educator with over 10 years of experience teaching piano and musicianship in both private and group settings. She teaches piano, ear training, solfège, harmony, and improvisation, helping students build strong skills while developing creativity and musical confidence. A Master of Music graduate from Berklee College of Music’s Global Jazz Institute, Estefania brings a unique blend of jazz, Afro-Cuban, and cinematic influences into her teaching. Her lessons focus not only on technique, but also on listening, expression, and musical understanding. She has given masterclasses and clinics on creative ear training and improvisation, including her Panama Jazz Festival workshop “The Creative Ear: Listening as Mastery,” where she taught practical tools for pitch recognition, transposition, and deep listening — including how to hear complex musical layers through her Polyphonic Ear approach. As a performer, she has appeared at major venues and festivals such as The Blue Note New York and has collaborated with internationally acclaimed artists. Students can expect engaging, personalized lessons that build both skill and artistic voice.

Music has been part of my life since I was very young. I grew up surrounded by musicians and always had a piano at home. My family — especially my mother — played a big role in helping me discover my path. She encouraged me to explore many activities like ballet, theater, dance, sports, and music, and gave me the freedom to choose what I truly loved. My final decision was clear: piano and music. I began formal piano studies at age six, and my training took place in a high-standard piano program that shaped my discipline, focus, and perseverance. Just as important was my family’s involvement and encouragement, which showed me how powerful support and guidance can be in a student’s growth. With more than 10 years of teaching experience in private and group settings, I work with children, teens, and adults, adapting lessons to each student’s level, goals, and interests. I aim to create a supportive and motivating environment where students build skills, confidence, and creativity. In my piano lessons, I focus on building strong fundamentals — healthy hand and body posture, coordination, technique, and sound quality — while developing musical language in the style each student wants to learn, including classical, jazz, and contemporary music. Lessons combine work at the instrument with listening skills, ear training, and sometimes singing exercises to connect hearing and playing. I also introduce basic harmony, musical analysis, improvisation, and elements of music history so students understand what they are playing, not just how to play it. I also offer dedicated musicianship coaching sessions focused on ear training, solfège, harmony, history, and musical analysis for students who want deeper theoretical and listening skills. Lessons are available both in person and online, using clear structure and interactive tools to keep students engaged and motivated between sessions. I offer lessons in English and Spanish.