From Classics to Favorites

I love connecting with people through music, and creating the right atmosphere for each unique celebration.
When you hire me, you get a polished, professional pianist who genuinely loves what I do. I arrive early to set up and sound-check, ready to help make your occasion special.

I tailor every performance to your event's specific needs and atmosphere. Whether you're looking for elegant classical pieces during a formal reception, nostalgic favorites for a birthday celebration, or upbeat selections to keep energy flowing, we'll work together in advance to create the perfect musical experience for your guests.

What's Included:
- Professional, reliable service from start to finish
- Customized setlist designed for your event and audience
- Accommodation of special song requests with advance notice
- Friendly interaction with guests
- Professional equipment available upon request for an additional fee

Perfect For:
Weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversary parties, retirement events, assisted living facility entertainment, corporate gatherings, holiday parties, and community events.

Spanish-born pianist Dr. Julia Aguayo was admitted to the Royal Conservatory of Music in
Madrid at age sixteen, as the youngest of five candidates selected from over 100 national
applicants. She studied under Fernando Puchol, whose musical lineage traces directly to Chopin,
and Elena Orobio, while simultaneously training with Georgian pianist Nino Kereselidze at the
Katarina Gurska School of Music and completing chamber music studies under Lidia Stratulat.
Following her bachelor's degree in Madrid, Dr. Aguayo pursued her first master's degree with
world-renowned Hungarian pianist Klára Würtz at the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht.
Her achievements in the Netherlands included multiple competition placements, a performance
tour culminating at De Doelen (the country's second-largest auditorium), and a professional
recording with Peter Arts featuring works by Chopin and Schumann, which was broadcast on
Dutch National Radio. She performed as a featured soloist at the Zaltbommel Piano Festival for
two consecutive years and won second prize at the HKU Concerto Competition in 2012.
Dr. Aguayo completed her second master's degree at the University of South Florida with
Bulgarian pianist Dr. Svetozar Ivanov, followed by a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano
Performance at the University of Memphis under Dr. Cathal Breslin. Her doctoral research
focused on piano études by French composer Louise Farrenc, contributing to scholarship on
19th-century women composers. During her studies, she won third prize in the Beethoven Club
Competition, was selected to perform with the Graduate Quartet, and appeared as a soloist with
the University's Wind Ensemble.
Currently based in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Dr. Aguayo serves as pianist for the French Choir of Washington and as a collaborative pianist with distinguished choirs and musicians throughout the region. She is Music Director for Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre during summer seasons and maintains an active teaching studio at Opal Music Studio in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Aguayo is a former Associate Pianist with the Grammy Award-winning National Children's Chorus, with whom she performed at Wolf Trap. Her recent performances include appearances at prestigious venues such as the Bulgarian Embassy.