Kristhyan Benitez

“…Excellent Technique and Spirit …” (The Miami Herald) “…his commitment, talent, imagination, drive, passion and intelligence make Kristhyan an outstanding Musician and Performer…” (Phillippe Entremont) This young pianist belongs to the new generation of Venezuelan musicians who stand out internationally. Born in Caracas, 30-year-old Kristhyan Benitez began his steps toward a musical career at the age of four with Olga Lopez, pupil of the legendary Magda Tagliaferro. Three months later, he played for an audience of 2000 people at one of the most important musical venues in Venezuela, The Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex. Jose Antonio Abreu, Founder Director of “El Sistema” describes Kristhyan as “one of the most important and brilliant leaders of the Musical Movement in Venezuela and the whole Continent”. He has won top prizes in several national and international piano competitions, including countries such as Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, France, Venezuela, USA, Germany, and Austria among others. At the 1996 National Philharmonic Orchestra Soloist Competition in Caracas, Venezuela, plastic artist Jesús Soto crafted and awarded him a unique medal for the First prize. Kristhyan Received the “Jose Felix Ribas Award”, the highest honor given by the President of Venezuela in 1998, for his cultural contribution and enhancement of his country overseas. Kristhyan has appeared at some of the world’s most prestigious stages such as Philarmonie Hall (Berlin), Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco), Town Hall (New York), Ehrbar Saal (Vienna), Salle Cortot (Paris), Amadeo Roldan Theater (Havana) and Rios Reyna at the Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex (Caracas), with performances throughout Europe, South America and the United States. He has performed under the baton of Claudio Abbado, Alondra de la Parra, Carlos Riazuelo, Felipe Izcaray, Giancarlo Guerrero, Piero Gamba, Gustavo Dudamel, Patrick Lange, James Orent, Benjamin Zander, and Eduardo Marturet. His orchestral engagements include the Simon Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, San Francisco Symphony, La Havana Symphony, Berliner Symphoniker, Miami Symphony, among others. His Festival participations include the 1999 VIP Academy in Vienna, 2001 New World Academy, 2001, “The Piano From Bach to Chick Corea” festival, 2003 Beethoven festival where he played for the director of Beethoven’s House in Bohn, Germany, 2006 Steinway Festival and 2008 Palm Beach Atlantic International Piano Festival in USA.