Melina Santiago Abrego

Melina Santiago Abrego also known as Melina Schuster of Mexican origin started studying music at the age of 6. It was during that same year, when she won the Yamaha music competition of young composers. She studied piano performance at the music faculty of the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico and later at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels, Belgium, under the direction of prestigious pianists Olga Roumshevich and first prize international Queen Elizabeth Laureate pianist Evgeny Mogilevsky. Throughout her career, Melina has been standing out for her talent, interpretative ability, and her great sensitivity. This led her to perform in different concert halls in Mexico, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Austria. During her artistic career, Melina decided to take a long break to dedicate herself to exploring other paths totally different from music, studying and pursuing a successful international business career. This path led her to live experiences in different countries that would change her life: “When I stopped playing the piano, I never imagined it would be for so long, but having known myself in other facets of my personality has greatly enriched my way of playing now, full experiences, self-knowledge and the unbreakable will, that comes from the accumulated desire to do what I am most passionate about.” Her genuine, joyful and passionate personality is reflected in each of her performances, where she envelops you in a wave of nuances and dynamics with her exceptional and highly personal interpretations. In particular, her Mexican music repertoire has garnered multiple recognitions and is always a part of her program. Melina currently lives in Switzerland, where she has discovered an ideal harmony between music, nature, and personal growth.

Awards and Honors • Jury Special Prize: 4 Seasons Vienna International Musician Competition, Vienna, May 2024 • Master Gold Prize and Master Gold Prize 20th and 21st Century Music: Colors of Chopin International Piano Competition, Warsow, June 2024 • First Prize: 9th International Piano Competition, Poland, June 2024 • Second Prize: Moscow Music Competition, Moscow, June 2024 • Second Prize: Gold International Classical Music Competition, Holand, June 2024 • First Prize: AEGIO International Piano Competition Region Vienna, July 2024 • First Prize: AEGIO International Piano Competition Global final Round Milano, July 2024 • Special Mention MEDICI International music competition, UK, July 2024 • Bronze Hands CARLES & SOFIA International piano competition, Spain, July 2024 • Second Prize Worder keys International piano competition, Germany, August 2024