New York native Mariel Mayz is a sought-after composer, pianist, educator, and administrator. As a composer, Mariel’s first large-scale work for the stage—a one-act, chamber opera— was commissioned by American Opera Projects and the Hunter Opera Theater. The work was premiered by the Hunter Opera Theater singers and Talia Ensemble during the 2018 New York Opera Fest.Mariel’s most recent works include commissions by two-time Latin Grammy nominee João Luiz; the Sarasa Ensemble (Cambridge, MA); two commissioned works for “The Illustrated Pianist,” celebrating the centennial of American author, Ray Bradbury; the Higher Ground Festival (NYC), guitarist Nora Spielman, and Porto Pianofest— for their 2019 New Music Series, 2020 Digital Season, and 2021 Arts in Dialogue Series. Additionally this year, Mariel received “The Kintsugi Spirit” 2021 Artist Grant from the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (Los Angeles, CA) for the creation of an new electro-acoustic work that was premiered in October during their Virtual Exhibition. Mariel is simultaneously working on the publishing and recording of her solo piano compositions, as well as preparing additional recitals in Europe, New York City and New England. Mariel Mayz made her debut as a pianist with the Rockland Symphony Orchestra at the age of sixteen, and thereafter continued to perform in places such as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Chamber Society at Lincoln Center, Steinway Hall, the French Embassy in New York, Tenri Cultural Institute, Roulette, and many other venues.Mariel’s major teachers include José Ramón Mendez, Seymour Bernstein, Geoffrey Burleson, Jean-Michel Pilc, Suzanne Farrin, Justin Dello Joio, and David Rakowski.Mariel is an Adjunct Professor of Music Theory and lecturer for the Arts Management & Leadership Certificate at CUNY Hunter College; and pursuing a PhD in Composition and Theory at Brandeis University. She is, additionally, the Program Coordinator of the Hunter Mellon Arts Fellowship— a pivotal program for diversity and inclusion within the field of arts management and leadership. Mariel is the Co-Founder and Associate Director of Porto Pianofest.