Ariadna Nacianceno

Collaborative Pianist • North Carolina State University

Ariadna Nacianceno is a Cuban-born pianist with over 30 years of performance and collaborative experience across Cuba and the United States. Since graduating in 1995, she has built a distinguished career as a collaborative pianist, working with instrumentalists, university voice majors, professional lyric singers, and choral ensembles.

For nearly 15 years, Ariadna served as a pianist at two of Cuba’s most important musical institutions—the Cuban Superior Institute of Art and the Voice School of the Cuban National Lyric Theater. Her musical life also extends deeply into Latin music: she was a member of Cuba’s renowned “Orquesta Riverside,” conducted by her father, Raul Nacianceno, and has performed with the U.S.-based ensemble “Orquesta K’che” since 2012.

A defining chapter of her artistic journey was her 12 years as both singer and pianist with Schola Cantorum Coralina, one of Cuba’s most celebrated choral institutions. With Coralina, she performed extensively throughout Cuba and represented her country in festivals and competitions abroad, an experience she describes as holding a “special place in her heart and musical career.”

Since arriving in the United States, Ariadna has collaborated with students from the UNC Music Department, the Katherine Posner Vocal Studio, and, beginning in 2014, the NC State University Music Department, where she works with three choirs and numerous voice and instrumental students. In 2021, she also joined the Choral Program at Millbrook High School as its collaborative pianist.

In addition to her academic and professional work, Ariadna has extensive experience performing for a wide variety of Christian churches, contributing her musicianship to worship services, special programs, and community events across denominations.

In her role as a collaborative pianist, Ariadna serves as a mentor and educator, supporting young musicians as they develop their artistic musical expression and technical skills. She remains deeply committed to fostering musical excellence, cultural connection, and the joy of collaborative performance. Whether in academic settings, professional ensembles, or community spaces, her work continues to reflect a lifelong dedication to artistry, service, and the transformative power of music.