Name: Rene Enrique Perez-Diaz

Instrument: Piano and Voice

How long have you been involved in music?

I think the first time I was involved in music was around the age of 4-5. My mother made me sing by myself in church which ended in a disaster!

Why is music important to you?

Music is like a prayer to me. I envision it like a bridge that connects me to God. Being able to praise him means everything to me. Overall I like to convey my emotions through music even when I can’t show them physically, I can convey them through my voice or piano. For example, piano, I like this quote from a pianist who feels the same way. “When I am sad, a sad sound comes out, and when I am joyful, it comes out joyfully.” – Kyohei Sorita. Music has made me the person I am today. 

Tell us about your time at The bART.

Seeing the old performances of the bART really inspired me to come to the bART. The bART relit the spark of passion for the piano which I used to have. Though at the beginning I didn’t want to take voice lessons, I can see the tremendous difference it has made in improving the way I sing and the way I perform.

Where will you be going from here?

I will hopefully be accepted to Southwestern Adventist University. I plan to study Theology and maybe minor in Music if I have the chance. If there is a piano teacher there I will most likely continue with piano. Do I plan on keeping music with me? Absolutely! Music will stay with me forever!

A message from Enrique:

First I want to thank God for everything. Then I would like to thank my mother for always pushing me to practice even when I don’t want to. I want to thank my Voice and Piano teachers, Paige Dickey and Tatyana Lantos. Thanks to their motivation and their kind words I’ve been able to grow as a musician! Last but not least I want to thank the awesome receptionist at the bART, Miss Jo, for being one of the best and nicest secretaries I’ve met, always has a smile on her face and is always willing to help, and for overall being an interesting person and a friend.