Luciano Quiñones

Luciano Quiñones (born June 22, 1948 in San German, Puerto Rico), is a pianist and the foremost composer of Modern Puerto Rican Danzas.

Quiñones who received his primary education in his hometown was musically influenced by his family at a young age. He learned his basics in music from his family, however in 1960, he was sent to the Mayagüez free School of Music to begin his formal musical education.

In 1965, Quiñones enrolled at the Inter-American University of San German where he continued his musical instruction. In 1969, he earned his Bachelors Degree in music with a concentration in applied piano. He was also awarded "The Most Outstanding Student of the Music Department" medal.

Quiñones married a young girl by the name of Sylvia Rodriguez to whom he dedicated his first danza "A Sylvia" in 1977. This danza won prizes from the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture. Up to 2008 29 of his danzas have won prizes. "El Abanico" (The Fan), the "Official Anthem of the City of Hormigueros" and "Himno a Mayagüez" are the only three to have lyrics. The latter two of the danzas were adopted as the official anthems of their respective cities. His danza "Linda Mayagüezna", also dedicated to his wife, has been played at the Pablo Casals Festival in Puerto Rico.

Some of the danzas composed by Quiñones:

* Amor Eterno (Eternal Love)
* Aniversario (Anniversary)
* A Sylvia (To Sylvia)
* Campanas Nupciales (Wedding Bells)
* Días Felices (Happy Days)
* El Abanico (The Fan)
* Fantasia en Azul (Blue Fantasy)
* Fiesta de Acabe
* Fiestas de la Candelaria
* Fiestas de Santa Rosa (Festival of Saint Rose)
* Irma
* Isla Hermosa (Lovely Island)
* Linda Flor (Beautiful Flower)
* Linda Mayagüezana (Beautiful Girl from Mayagüez)
* Matices
* Mis Tesoros (My Treasures)
* Nuestro Amor (Our Love)
* Pensando en Tí (Thinking of You)
* Princesita Juguetona (Playful Princess)
* Quinceañera (15th Birthday)
* Renacer (Reborn)
* Sueño de Amor (Dream of Love)
* Sueño Español (Spanish Dream)
* Tarde Gris (Gray Afternoon)
* Tierno Amor (Tender Love)
* Virgencita del Pozo
* Torbellino de Pasiones
* Soñando con tus Besos (Dreaming of your kisses)
* Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián

Quiñones' love for the danza and piano plus his desire to preserve Puerto Rico's musical heritage led him to develop two websites. In 1996, he created "The Home of the Danza" where anyone may listen to some of the islands most renowned danzas performed by him. He also created "Luciano's Piano Bar" where he performs boleros and modern music.

Among the many recognitions which Quiñones has received are the following;

* Special recognitions from the Mayagüez Lions Club, The City of San German and the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture.
* He was named the adopted son of Mayagüez in 2000
* He was inducted into the Puerto Rican Danza Composers Hall of Fame in 2003.
* The 32nd annual Danza Week of 2004, sponsored by the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture, was dedicated to him.
* The 2008 "Nuestra Música" Festival was dedicated to him on the Danza night.

Quiñones was a music professor at the Mayagüez Free School of Music. He currently participates in the Danza Festival of Mayagüez either as a soloist or accompanist. His wife Sylvia, who was his major source of inspiration and with whom he had two children, Jose Carlos and Jose Ivan, died on November 15, 2004. Quiñones presently resides in Mayagüez and presents his Danza's recital in universities, schools, social and cultural institutions that contract him. He also lectures on the Danza for the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.

ee also

*List of famous Puerto Ricans

External links

*You may listen to "A Sylvia" by Luciano Quiñones: [http://www.ladanza.com/sylvia.htm Here]
* [http://www.ladanza.com/index.html "La Danza"]
* [http://www.piano-bar.com/ "Luciano's Piano Bar"]