Maikol Perez Gomez began his musical journey as a saxophonist in 2012 at the Manuel Saumell Elementary Conservatory of Music in Havana, Cuba. By 2014, he had double-majored in Saxophone and Piano Performance, graduating with honors in both instruments in 2017. He continued his education at some of Cuba’s most prestigious institutions, including the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, where he earned his bachelor’s degree, and the Superior Institute of Art of Cuba.

With over four years of experience as both a performer and educator, Maikol has served in a variety of musical roles. He spent three years as a faculty member in the piano department at the Manuel Saumell Conservatory. He also worked for two years as an accompanist at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, collaborating with students in Viola, Violin, Trumpet, and Clarinet performance. Additionally, he served as an accompanist pianist for the Orchestra Conducting Department at the Superior Institute of Art under the mentorship of renowned Cuban conductor Guido López-Gavilán, from whom he also received brief instruction in orchestral conducting.

Maikol has extensive experience working with chamber music formats, both as a collaborative pianist and ensemble coach. He also enjoys coaching students with an interest in composition and harmony, helping them develop both their technical and creative skills.

As a teacher, Maikol believes that true learning happens when a student understands the meaning behind what they are studying, rather than simply memorizing patterns or technical exercises. For example, when a student is learning Debussy, he may encourage them to read Baudelaire or Andersen to absorb the cultural and emotional context behind the music. He teaches with an integrative approach that emphasizes depth, curiosity, and expression. Any musical genre is welcome in his studio—his goal is to help students develop a versatile and meaningful relationship with their instrument.

As a performer, Maikol has earned multiple national and international awards. These include:

1st Prize (2021) and 2nd Prize (2017) at the Villahermosa International Piano Competition

2nd Prize and Best Interpretation of Cuban Music at the Amadeo Roldán Regional Piano Competition (2018)

2nd Prize at the New York International Music Competition (June 2024)

A Caribbean Region Prize awarded by UNESCO (2023), which provided him a full scholarship to attend the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy, where he studied with world-renowned pianist Lilya Zilberstein

Maikol is fluent in Spanish and English, and he is currently pursuing a Dante Alighieri certification in Italian. He is presently studying Piano Performance on a full scholarship at Duquesne University under the guidance of Dr. Kevin Lee Sun.