Meet our Director!

A confluence of pop hits, classical standards, and Latin music, shaped by his jazz training, has made Costa Rican native Esteban Alvarez a unique and celebrated artist. His musical journey began in the USA, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano and jazz studies at Baylor University and the University of North Texas on full scholarships.

In 2013, Alvarez was recognized as a Steinway artist, an honor shared with legends like Vladimir Horowitz and Billy Joel. His career is marked by a series of acclaimed albums that showcase his mastery of blending musical styles. His debut album, “Tico Groove,” featured a mix of jazz and world music with renowned drummer Ignacio Berroa and bassist Lyn Seaton. He followed this with “Piano Meets Mariachi”, a tribute to the beloved music of Mexico featuring Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán. His Third album, “Roots of The World” (2021-2022), brought together a diverse group of artists including Los Kjarkas and Divina Banda.

Currently, Esteban is recording his fourth album, a collaboration with the iconic Gipsy Kings singers, Kakou Reyes and Canut Reyes. His dynamic career also includes performances at major international festivals in countries such as Israel, Hong Kong, Italy and Cuba.

In October 2025, Alvarez was appointed the New Music Director for the River City Pops Choir in Austin. Balancing his artistic endeavors with academic pursuits, he is also enrolled in a postgraduate program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the University of Texas.