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Aitana de Jong Mompó

(1989, Barcelona)

was raised in an artistic environment and was introduced to the world of art by her parents. Her mother, Marisú Mompó, taught her sensibility and appreciation for colours and delicacy. She got introduced to music by her father, Christiaan de Jong, musician and composer, at a very young age. Her passion and love for music started from improvising on the keys, which has been always present in her life

CHILDHOOD

She started her musical studies in Barcelona, attending a specialized primary and secondary school, funding her base for further development. During her childhood she attended several concerts organized by her father on the cycle of Projecte Internacional d’Influéncies Musicals, providing her with the example of many good musicians from the contemporary music scene. In 2002, she created an ensemble called ¨Bontemps¨ which would be playing work of her father and developing free improvisation. In 2003 the ensemble got an honour mention at the competition Arjau at Barcelona and played several concerts.

At the age of 10 she attended a masterclass with Karen Walwyn, who introduced her to the philosophy on which her piano technique is based: natural movement seeking for refined sound. She continued taking lessons with her for some years. At the age of 14, she started taking lessons with the Dutch pianist and pedagogue Ton Hartsuiker. He introduced her to the world of Dutch contemporary composers, winning the gaudeamus prijs at the Prinses Christina Concours in the Nederlands, for the best interpretation of a Dutch contemporary piece at the age of 18.

KEEP ON DEVELOPING

She started her studies with Willem Brons at the conservatory of Amsterdam. This brought her closer to the music of J.S. Bach, which she studied to detail with her teacher.

During this years she formed a duo with the soprano Björk Nielsdottir, playing many concerts for Stichting Kunst In de Kamer and other venues. Since then she has been accompanying on regular base many singers, preparing for concerts but coaching as well, thanks to her delicate touch, and ear for natural phrasing and understanding of music.

In 2013 she won the third price and audience price of the competition Arjau at Barcelona. And continued her studies with Frank Peters, which currently is her teacher.

Recently she came back to her roots and started working on a project to develop and promote free improvisation among the classical music students, coaching and working together with het trio. She also performs on regular base with her father playing a program which combines well known compositions with free improvisation.

Besides her work as a performing pianist, Aitana de Jong, has also a big passion for teaching. Thanks to all the good examples she encountered during her childhood and studies she has founded a base to pass through her knowledge about music and playing piano, giving guidance to children and adults discovering the world of classical music, from Bach to what has been written a second ago.