Born in Libertador San Martin, Entre Rios, Argentina (in the middle of nowhere), Ariel Quintana started playing piano at the age of 3. By the time he was in kindergarten, he was playing the piano at school to accompany his classmates in singing. He graduated from the Universidad Adventista del Plata with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and a specialty in piano, where he also served as arranger and composer for the University Vocal Ensemble. He later earned a Master's Degree in Music in Piano Performance from the National Conservatory of Music in Buenos Aires. His list of teachers and mentors includes Perla Brugola, Julio Fainguersh, Valdo Sciammarella, and Waldemar Wensell. He also studied choral conducting with John Alexander at California State University Northridge. In 1988, he married mezzo soprano Helene Urigu, and they moved to Glendale, California. They still live there today with their 6-year old daugther Antonella who - you guessed it! - sings and plays the piano. Soon after moving to the United States, Ariel founded the Opus 7 Chamber Singers with a group of friends from Argentina. They met new friends, made some recordings and made three European tours: in 1994, 1995, and 1997. In 1996 he joined the Los Angeles Master Chorale under the direction of Paul Salomunovich, who conducted some of Ariel's arrangements and premiered his Hodie Christus Natus Est in December 2000 (written for double chorus acappella, published by Alliance Music Publishing). Ariel Quintana serves as Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood. He also teaches at Crescenta Valley Adventist School, and writes - when he has time - arrangements and original compositions, many of which are performed by Opus 7.
Browse compositions by Ariel Quintana
