Otoniel Rojas is a Dominican pianist and composer renowned for his unique fusion of classical music with the vibrant rhythms of his homeland. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he was immersed in a rich musical environment from an early age. His father, an accomplished musician who served as the principal flutist and later as the piccolo player in the National Symphony Orchestra of the Dominican Republic, instilled in him a deep appreciation for music.
At just seven years old, Otoniel began his formal music education at the National Conservatory of Music, initially studying the violin. Concurrently, he taught himself the piano, developing exceptional sight-reading skills. His prodigious talent soon became evident as he accompanied his father in numerous public performances, church services, and television appearances throughout his native country.
Determined to refine his pianistic abilities, Otoniel pursued formal piano instruction, excelling in performance, counterpoint, music theory, and solfège at the conservatory. Despite his musical successes, he briefly explored an engineering career at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD). However, his unwavering passion for music led him to resume his artistic journey.
Seeking broader horizons, Otoniel relocated to the United States to study at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York—a hub for international music students. Under the mentorship of acclaimed pianist Agustin Anievas, renowned for his interpretations of Chopin and Rachmaninoff, he honed his artistry and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance. His exceptional musicianship was recognized when he won the conservatory's piano competition, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the college orchestra.
Deeply involved in the college's musical community, Otoniel participated in chamber music ensembles, served as a piano accompanist, and sang in both the specialized chamber choir and the conservatory choir. He expanded his compositional skills under the guidance of Robert Starer, an Austrian-born American composer known for his contributions to contemporary classical music. His collaboration with the university's ballet program led to his composition "A Passing of Time" being incorporated into the ballet's repertoire, performed internationally by the university ballet in Prague.
To further diversify his expertise, Otoniel studied conducting with Karoly Kope, chamber music with Stoddard Lincoln and Marion Feldman—a distinguished cellist and professor at New York University—and delved into music history under H. Wiley Hitchcock, a leading authority on American music.
Upon returning to the Dominican Republic, Otoniel continued to compose and perform. He was commissioned by the Sinfónica del Cibao to create "Mozartina," an orchestral piece that masterfully intertwines traditional merengue rhythms with themes from Mozart's "Jupiter Symphony." The work features the tambora, a traditional Dominican percussion instrument, symbolizing a fusion of his classical training and cultural roots. "Mozartina" premiered with the Sinfónica del Cibao and was later performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in Santo Domingo conducted by Caonex Peguero, a renowned Dominican violinist/conductor/composer.
Today, Otoniel Rojas continues to share his music with audiences worldwide. Through platforms like SoundCloud and published sheet music, he brings a unique blend of classical and Dominican musical traditions to listeners and performers alike.