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Jazz Studies

Meet Maria Quintanilla

I remember meeting Pete Malinverni at my audition and feeling immediately at home.

Maria Quintanilla, MM 2017

Vocalist, composer & producer

I moved to Manhattan in the summer of 2015 to pursue my career as a performing artist and I had the fortune of completing my Masters Degree at Purchase College (SUNY). I remember meeting Pete Malinverni at my audition and feeling immediately at home.

Since moving to New York City, I have released two albums as composer, performer and co-producer (entitled Distance Chemistry and Breathing Taiwan, both under W&J Productions), as well as recorded vocals for Alexis Cole’s album Dazzling Blue – the music of Paul Simon (under Chesky Records).

I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with incredible artists including Jon Faddis, Todd Coolman, Tia Fuller, Steve Turre and John Benitez at venues and festivals such as The Louis Armstrong House Museum, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Blue Note Jazz Club, Festival Portugal International de Montréal, Joe’s Pub and the legendary SummerStage Festival in Central Park.

I was the recipient of the State University of New York’s Thayer Fellowship and the Ella Fitzgerald Scholarship while attending Purchase. I also had the great honor of representing Ella Fitzgerald at various Centennial Celebrations in 2017 and am presently the vocal performance instructor for Purchase College Arts Abroad Program.