Octavio Brunetti, piano Octavio Brunetti was born in Rosario, Argentina in 1975. He started his musical studies at the Municipal Music School in Rosario and graduated from both The National School of Music and the Pedagogical Institute of  Music, preparing him to become a piano teacher. He also studied piano and chamber music in Buenos Aires with Alicia Belleville. In 2004, he won the New York City International Tango Competition Award for Best Solo Pianist and Best Duo (Brunetti – Monk).   From 2001 – 200, he was the pianist and conductor of the Provincial Orchestra of Popular Music in Cordoba, Argentina. In 2003, when the famous bandoneón player, Osvaldo Piro, became the conductor, Octavio remained as the assistant conductor and principal arranger.  He has recorded tangos, among which the most notable are “Inquietudes” (Omar Torres Quintet), “Saludos” (Domingo Federico’s Orchestra), and “Tierra y Asfalto” (Brunetti – Carballo). In 2000, he was the pianist with the World Tango Orchestra, conducted by Rodolfo Mederos. He has played at such notable venues, such as the Teatro Colon (Mozarteum Series 1995), Teatro San Martin in Cordoba, “El Circulo” theater in Rosario, Auditorio Astengo in Rosario, Lincoln Center in New York City, at the Tango and Malambo Festival in Santa Barbara,California, the Granada Festival in Spain, the World Music Festival in Providence, Rhode Island, and the Boston Tango Festival.  He has toured in Germany, Holland, Switzerland.