Who we are?

Amanda Medina has over ten years’ experience in music teaching and performing. She graduated from the Superior Institute for the Performing Arts in Havana, Cuba, awarded a four-year Masters degree in Professional Music, with Golden Diploma. She has been teaching at The Professional Music Conservatory and The Elementary Music School of Matanzas, Cuba, since 2006. There, she introduced beginners to the violin, viola, cello and piano technique, and developed their musical talents, as well as graduated many students as professional musicians. She is qualified for teaching from early ages to seniors. Furthermore, she conducted research about artistic education for young ages, and organized interactive events for music students, like workshops and master classes, to help develop their critical thinking and musical skills. Amanda was awarded Honour of Professor with Distinction for highest students’ achievements.

 As a professional violin performer, she joined the renowned Matanzas Symphonic Orchestra for nine years, reaching the First Violin and the Concertmaster positions, as well as performing as a concert soloist. She specialized in different music ensembles and styles. Amanda joined The Mozarteum Symphonic Orchestra of The Superior Institute for the Performing Arts in Havana, Cuba, adopting the Teacher Trainer position and providing technical support to the students in order to interpret classical music better.

Amanda’s professional performance experience and background in teaching, has contributed considerably to the development and musical enrichment, education and artistic culture of her students.

Alberto Suarez was born in Matanzas, Cuba- a city famous for its rich musical history and Rumba rhythms. Alberto began to play percussion at the age 10, and completed formal years of training at both the Matanzas Provincial Music School and The National School for the performing arts in Cuba’s capital, Havana. Alberto worked at several hotels and nightclubs in Varadero, Cuba, before gaining a lucrative position in the acclaimed International Orchestra, directed by Carlos Tarafa. Since his arrival in Canada in 2003, Alberto has been an active percussionist and educator, and taken part in International percussion festivals in Toronto and Longueuil, Quebec, and has brought a new perspective to Toronto’s Latin music community. Besides being Canefire’s resident percussionist, he has also performed with: The Canadian Tenors, Jesse Cook, Amanda Martinez, Nick Ali, Ruben Vasquez, Janet Bunnett, Hilario Duran, Alexis Baro, Luis Mario Ochoa, Julie Leahy (singer/songwriter,  combining the Celtic, music with Pop, Jazz, Country, Rock, Afro-Cuban, Afro Caribbean, and West African Rhythms). Also performed on various occasions with world-renowned pioneers of the Steel Pan in the Jazz world, Andy Narell & Robert Greenidge, as well as performed & recorded with Calypso Legend David Rudder, and many more.