ALMA BATISTA began her musical studies in her native country, Puerto Rico, with Cecilia Talavera at the
Conservatorio de Música, PR. Upon coming to the United States in 1987, she undertook further studies in
New York City with Edith Oppens, and studied and performed at
the Aspen Music Festival, Colorado, and the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan.
Ms. Batista earned her Bachelor and Master Degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, SF,
CA. Where she studied with Mack McCray. She performed and had a successful piano studio in San
Francisco, CA for 9 years.
She moved to Santa Barbara, CA to pursue her Doctor of Music Arts degree, from the University of
California, Santa Barbara, after she was awarded a Graduate Opportunity Fellowship for 2 years. She
studied with Paul Berkowitz and Dr. Betty Oberacker. Ms. Batista doctoral thesis was about, The Life of
Puerto Rican Composer Narciso Figueroa, and his Contributions to the Puerto Rican Danza is the first
comprehensive study on the danzas of Puerto Rican pianist and composer Narciso Figueroa. Alma Batista
received her Doctor of Music Arts degree in 2002.
In 2002, she moved to Riverside County, CA, to start a new piano studio, perform, compose and record.
Dr. Batista performs frequently in California and Puerto Rico. She has appeared as a soloist with the
Community Music Center orchestra of San Francisco under the direction of Urs Leonhardt-Steiner. She has
presented piano solo and chamber music recitals at the City College of San Francisco, The Faulkner Gallery
Series in Santa Barbara, CA, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Performances at Six
Concert Series in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco Music Center Faculty Artists Series, Rossmore
Concert Series in Lafayette, CA, White Barn Concert Series in St. Helena, CA, The Conservatory of Music,
and Institute of Culture in Puerto Rico.
Biography
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©2008 Alma I. Batista
Revised 5/28/2008
Revised 5/28/2008