Conchita Espinosa
(February 23, 1914 – September 19, 2006)

A world-renown pianist, Conchita combined academics and the arts to create an educational style that transcended borders, exile, and still thrives today at Conchita Espinosa Academy.

Her motto:
“To reach a child's soul one must know him,
guide him and especially, love him.”

At the age of 14, Conchita graduated from the “Conservatorio Internacional de Música” in Havana as a professor of piano and music theory.  She continued her music education with renowned professors and artists Joaquín Nin, Ernesto Berumen and Jasha Fishermann. Espinosa performed concerts in Mexico, Cuba and the U.S.

In 1933, at the age of 19, she founded “La Academia Musical Conchita Espinosa” in Havana. By 1959, the Academy – which included an elementary school as well as music and dance programs - had 450 students.  Three decades later, after arriving in Miami, Conchita continued her life´s work as a teacher of music.

In 1963, she opened Conchita Espinosa Academy in Miami, in the garage of a small home on SW 22nd Avenue and First Street- the neighborhood that would later become Little Havana. Registrations at the school surged and the school flourished.  In 1984, Conchita Espinosa Academy moved to a 10-acre parcel at 12975 SW 6th Street. Today, the school houses students in grades pre-kindergarten to eighth grade and its students continue Conchita´s legacy of personal, academic, and artistic excellence.

During her extensive career, Conchita received many honors including the Richard and Dorothy Lear Memorial “Distinguished Educator Award” presented to her in March 1994 and the Legacy of Excellence Award” presented by General Motors during Hispanic Heritage Festival in 1999. Additionally, she received “Conchita Espinosa Day” proclamations from both the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County.  In 2001, S.W. 6th street – which fronts Conchita Espinosa Academy – was named “Conchita Espinosa Way.”  Her last honor, presented to Conchita in May 2006, was the prestigious Medalla de Excelencia Nacional Cubana from the Instituto de San Carlos de Cayo Hueso.

Donations in memory of Conchita may be made to the following:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital        
Also:    www.stjude.org
Attention: Memorial Department, 501 St. Jude's Place, Memphis, TN  38105
Conchita Espinosa "Celebration of Life" Fund, Account #: 16785278

AND/OR

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, 601 S.W. 8th Avenue, Miami, FL  33130
Attention: Children's Endowment on behalf of Conchita Espinosa